Repentance for Using Someone Else's Belongings Without Their Knowledge

Question

A person is seeking guidance after using someone else's belongings without their permission during their teenage years. They are now feeling guilty and are unsure if their repentance is accepted.

Answer 1

Peace be upon you.

Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may Allah protect him):

- If something was stolen from someone and either damaged or still remains with the person, the ruling is as follows:

Any property or belongings of others that a person has taken without right, whether intentionally or out of ignorance, must be returned or compensated to their rightful owners - if damaged - in any possible way, even to their heirs after their death, or by seeking forgiveness from them. In any case, if forgiveness is not granted and the ability to return is regained, it must be paid when able, even by bequeathing it upon death to be paid from the estate.

- If the person has used the belongings without taking them, the ruling is as follows:

If they are confident of the owner's consent and forgiveness, the situation is as previously mentioned; otherwise, the benefits derived are guaranteed.

Source: Special Inquiry + Tahrir al-Wasilah, Sale, Conditions of the Contracting Parties, M 14

---

Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect him):

- If something was stolen from someone and either damaged or still remains with the person, the ruling is as follows:

If they are confident of the owner's current consent, there is no liability; otherwise, if they are not sure of their consent, they are liable and must return the stolen item or compensate for it if damaged, even by placing it in the owner's house when able.

- If the person has used the belongings without taking them, the ruling is as follows:

If they are confident of the owner's consent and forgiveness, the situation is as previously mentioned; otherwise, the benefits derived are guaranteed, and the owner can claim them from the one who benefited. It is not far-fetched to differentiate between lost benefits and missed benefits, establishing liability for the former but not the latter. The lost benefits refer to those that are commonly recognized, such as residing in a house, while the missed benefits refer to those that are not, such as personal books not intended for rent.

Source: Official website: 1, 2 + Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 2, Sale of Unauthorized Transactions, M 78

May you be successful in all good.