Friday 19 Ramadan 1445 - 29 March 2024
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She took a ring from her mother without permission and lost it

Question

One day I took a ring from my mother without her knowing, and by mistake I lost it. I was looking for it and I did not tell her that I had taken it and lost it. Please note that I was only twelve years old. Now I regret it deeply and I want to expiate for my sin. What should I do? Please advise me, may Allaah reward you with good.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

You did a mistake when you took the ring without permission and when you did not tell your mother after you lost it. What you have to do now is to tell your mother and ask her for forgiveness, and to compensate her with a ring like the one that she had. Because whoever takes the property of someone else without permission is a robber or one who seizes property unlawfully, and he must replace what he has taken. If this was done at a young age, below the age of adolescence, then the burden of sin is lifted, but the obligation to replace the item still remains, because the scholars have stated that a child must replace things that he has destroyed and make up for the loss in value that may have affected the things he took, then return them (to their owner).

 But if you think that telling her about this will most likely lead to a breakdown in relations or problem between you, then simply give her a ring, even if it appears to be a gift.

 And Allaah knows best.

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Source: Islam Q&A