Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Brother,

assalam alaikum,

I am a non resident Indian having NRI account in India. Few months back I received $2000.00 into my account from a unknown source. I am confirmed that this money does not belongs to me. Initially i thought I will give this money to some poor muslim, but i am confused as I don’t have any right on this money. should I tell this fact to my bank? Thanks a lot!

Regards

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Excess money in account

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

If you have done your due diligence and are convinced that this money does not belong to you; then you are absolutely right that you have no right on this money. You must inform the bank about this credit, so that they may give this amount to its rightful owner.

Even after your informing the bank, they insist that this money is yours… and you are convinced that it is not; it would be prudent and purer for you, if you waited a couple of more months, and see if the bank realizes its mistake; or if the rightful owner of the money approaches the bank.

If even then the money stays in your account, only then can you spend it in some charitable cause with the intention that Allah give the credit of this ‘sadaqa’ to the rightful owner on the Day of Judgement. Under no circumstances should you use this money for your personal use; if you are convinced it does not belong to you.

Allah will, Insha Allah, give you a huge reward for your honesty, and if He Wills, He will enrich you from His Bounty.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan