stealing but dont remember from who
Question
Al-salam alaykum. Two years ago I remember that I stole 100 dollars from my parents because I wanted the money and didn’t care if it was halal or haram. Now I regret of what I have done and are prepared to give the money back to please Allah. The problem is I dont know from whom of my parents I have stolen the money from and I dont know what should I do.
Answer
Wa ʿalaykum al-salām wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuhu,
Your feelings of regret and your desire to make amends are commendable and reflect sincere repentance (tawbah). In Islam, repentance involves four key steps: (1) feeling genuine remorse for the sin, (2) immediately ceasing the sinful behavior, (3) making a firm intention not to repeat the sin, and (4) rectifying the wrong if possible.
In your situation, since you do not remember from which parent the money was taken, you can rectify the situation by considering one of the following methods:
- If your parents are approachable, discuss the matter with both of them. Explain your situation, ask for forgiveness, and allow them to decide who should receive the funds.
- Reflect carefully and try to recall to the best of your ability which parent the money was likely taken from. You may give the funds to that parent and ask the other for forgiveness in general.
- If you are able to afford it, pay the amount to both parents. Given that they are your parents, any additional payment to either of them would still be beneficial for you.
Additionally, you should seek forgiveness from Allah for the act of theft itself and increase in good deeds, such as giving charity, as a way of further seeking Allah’s pleasure and mercy.
And Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.