Fear of being accused of theft does not justify not returning what was taken by mistake to its owner

3-9-2015 | IslamWeb

Question:

Once I was buying some goods and I did not notice that an item had fallen into my baby’s carriage except after paying the bill and leaving the shop. I feared that if I went back to return it or pay its price, they would not believe me and accuse me of theft. That item was a packet of cheese that costs one Euro. I did not want to eat it lest I should eat unlawful gain. I feared throwing it away and be held accountable before Allaah for this act. I am in a non-Muslim country and do not know how to give its price in charity to anyone. Please advise. What should I do?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

It is obligatory upon you to return the packet of cheese or its price to the shop. Giving the packet or its price in charity does not discharge you from the obligation because you do not own it. Your fear of being accused of theft has no basis because it is well-known that the thief does not return what he has stolen.

Allaah Knows best.