Recompensing the restaurant

Q: I live in Taif, KSA.  Please tell me if what I did was Halal or Haram. I was having a strong headache, so I went to a cafe to get coffee. I drink coffee without milk. The restaurant person made it very strong. When I left the place, I realised that it was too strong to be able to be taken. Next, I wanted to sit somewhere and drink it close by as it was hot and the sun was beating on the head. I was also hungry. So, I went to a local sandwich shop 2 shops away from the coffee. I ordered a sandwich and sat down trying to drink coffee but it was too strong. So, I paid for the sandwich and sat down eating it as I was hungry at that time. The owner made the sandwich and went inside the premises to prepare for the evening meals. The assistant was cleaning the tables, chairs etc. When I finished the sandwich, I asked the assistant for the owner. He said he is inside and asked me if he could be of assistance. I told him, that since the coffee is very strong, I need a few drops of milk to make it easy for me to drink it. So, he fetched me a tin of condensed milk- almost about to finish with may be just very little left inside. He told me to use it. I did it, and then he said if its finished throw it away. But, after a while, I thought if the owner comes to know about it, of course, I don't think he will mind, but how much compliant would he be with the assistant's action? I thought of telling the owner and pay him a riyal more for the milk, but then it occurred to me that if I did so, may be the assistant's image might get damaged in the eyes of the owner that he does things without his permission (though the quantity of the milk in the tin was very less and perhaps the owner might have done the same thing as the assistant) and he might loose his job. So, I finished my cup of coffee and came back home, confused, that was the coffee that I drank haram? Please tell me what to do and how to explain the owner?

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A: Just give the normal price that is paid for that amount of milk or slightly more than that.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)