Question:
Bakr lost his 18-carat gold chain weighing 72 grams. At the time, he suspected his friend Zaid and asked if he had taken it, but Zaid denied it. Five years later, Zaid comes forward and admits that he had indeed stolen the chain back then, and now he wants to compensate for it. When returning the value, should Zaid pay according to the price of gold at the time of the theft (five years ago), or according to the current market value?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-Salāmu ʿAlaykum Wa-Raḥmatullāhi Wa-Barakātuh
In the scenario under discussion, Zaid will be required to pay the value of the stolen item (gold chain) according to its current market rate. [1]
And Allah Taʿāla Knows Best.
Baba Abu Bakr
Student –Darul Iftaa
Accra, Ghana
Checked and Approved by
Mufti Muhammad Zakariyya Desai
