Q: As per instuctions of the owner, I collected the rent money and left it on the computer keyboard which we always do. Besides the employer and myself nobody is allowed to enter this area. After leaving the money I had to attend to a customer and upon completing the customer, which was about an hour I came back and found the money missing. Thereafter I brought it to the notice of the owner. Now he accuses me of stealing the money and demands that I pay. I told him to search me as I had never stolen anything in two years. What should I do?
A: We can advise you with the following:
A: We can advise you with the following:
* Ask the owner to recall if he took the money himself and it slipped his mind.
* Find out properly if anyone entered that section.
* Try and recall if you put the money somewhere else and not on the keyboard.
* If the money was left on the keyboard by the instruction of the owner, or in the past he never objected to you leaving the money there, you do not have to repay this amount.
* If you left it there on your own accord, without his consent and it is not a safe place to keep the money, you will be obliged to repay that amount of money.
* After trying everything, if the owner still feels that you stole that money and you are positive that you did not, if you are able to find another job then resign from this job with dignity.
May Allah Ta'aala make everything easy for you. Aameen.
Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai
