Fatwa ID: 04322

Answered by: Maulana Muddasser Dhedhy         

Question

Assalamu Alaikum.

A person purchased some goods from Sainsbury. The worker on the till accidentally missed an item and didn't scan it. Once the person got home, he realized his bill was cheaper and he wasn't charged for an item. Now the person has a fear that if he goes back to Sainsbury to pay for that item he might put that person's job at risk. What should he do?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

One should be honest and pay the amount they were charged less as not doing so would mean they are taking another’s right without their permission.

As for the worker at the till who undercharged, usually, such a mistake would not result in them losing their job – especially if the person who was charged less owns up. Even if there is such a fear, one can explain to the store owner or supervisor that this was a genuine error and that it has now been rectified ensuring that the store/business has not made any losses due to it.  

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Muddasser Dhedhy                                      

Check and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham