What to do if excess goods are received in a purchase

Question

Question: Zayd does bicycle repair work and buys parts from another, big shopkeeper. Once he went to get goods, and the big shopkeeper’s servant, behind the owner’s back, gave him some extra goods. There Zayd did not notice anything, but on coming home and checking the invoice, the goods turned out to be in excess. Now Zayd is in a dilemma: if he discloses the secret to the owner, the employee will lose his job, and if he does not tell, the shop owner is robbed.

Answer

He can give it to the big shopkeeper saying: “In the accounts so many rupees of yours are due from me; here they are, please take them.” This way is better. If he cannot do so, then let him give it as a gift. Because of the employee’s breach of trust (khiyana), those goods will not become lawful for Zayd.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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