I have a pen on me that I accidentally took from a company interview I had gone to. I have kept it aside but I’m unsure about what I should do with it. Could you please advise? It’s a very small thing that they probably wouldn’t miss but I don’t know what to do with it since it doesn’t belong to me.
Bismillahi Ta’ala
Walaikum Assalam Warahmatullah
In the case mentioned, the action of taking the pen is neither stealing (sariqa) nor snatching (ghasb). However, on technical level considering that a pen is still something whose use is anticipated by the company, it will be governed by rules of ghasb. In this particular case it will be accidental ghasb, where there is no sin however the liability is still established.
The best option is to return the pen back to the company if it is reasonably feasible to do so.
However, if that is not possible, then another gesture one could do is to call the company up and inform them of this mishap. In all probability the company will forgo and gift that small item away. But if they tell you a away to return it by post or the other, then since the mishap happened from your end, you should own up and send the item back.
If there is no scope of either returning or connecting with the company, then the item may be given in charity on their behalf, with intent that in case they come asking for it, you will furnish the compensation duly.
Wallahu A’lam
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Faisal al-Mahmudi