Returning extra money that one received as a refund

Q: I live in a rented apartment in the UK. Before renting an apartment in UK, we have to pay a deposit which is refundable when we leave the apartment. By mistake my landlord created 2 deposits and I got twice the money back when I left the apartment. I contacted my landlord and told them that this was a mistake on their part and they told me they will contact me soon about this issue. They haven’t contacted me yet. Since I have done my duty of informing them and if they don’t ask for it back or claim it, is it halaal for me to keep the money?

A: Send it back to them.

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


إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمٰنٰتِ إِلَى أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُمْ بِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا (النساء: 58)

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)