How Can I Repay Someone I Stole from in the Virtual World?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
Someone has an item that was partially obtained through theft, and the only way he can give it back is by trading it for smaller things and giving them away (this is in a game, by the way).
Is he allowed to do this?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are well.
Stealing in a virtual world will not be considered “real” stealing. However, playing these types of games would be inappropriate, as it can lead to trivializing sinful matters and waste one’s time.
One should always strive for what is physically, emotionally, and spiritually beneficial.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, although both are good. Strive for that which will benefit you, seek the help of Allah, and do not feel helpless. If anything befalls you, do not say, ‘if only I had done such and such’; rather, say, ‘Qaddara Allahu wa ma sha’a fa’ala (Allah has decreed, and whatever he wills, He does).’ For (saying) ‘If’ opens (the door) to the deeds of Satan.” [Ibn Majah]
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
