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:

One friend of mine gave me a book to study which is in my curriculum, but I found out that it was a stolen copy from our library. Can I study from it, for I feel that returning it to the library now may lead me or him into danger 

(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:

Stolen books

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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Respected brother, it does not behove and befit a believer who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day to benefit from something which one knows and is convinced is stolen property.

It would be akin to piety and righteousness if you returned the stolen book back to its original owner, and if you indeed fear that returning this stolen property might bring danger upon yourself, you could return it discreetly…but return it you must, if indeed you fear Allah and the Last Day.

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan