Theft

Posted under adab, convert by rahma

I was a little thief.  In my youth (ok, and in my teenage years), I stole from my parents, my grandmother and my siblings.  $5 here, $20 there.  It wasn’t even for anything important - just going out to lunch with friends, snacks, soda and candy.

My parents knew I was a little thief.  When I was in 6th grade, my mom found gum wrappers in my room.  She made me tell her where I had stolen the gum from, and then made me go apologize.  You would think after that humiliation, I would have stopped stealing.  Nope, I just started stealing from them instead.

When one converts to Islam, they’re told that all their past sins have been wiped away, that you’re as clean as the day you were born.  Unfortunately, if you violated the rights of others (like stealing from them), you still owe them.  If you don’t pay them back and make amends, Allah (swt) will take what you owe them on the day of judgment.  *gulp* 

I had thought I put that chapter of my life behind me.   I had to work hard to regain my parents’ trust.  And now I have to face it all again.  I have to sit down, admit my thefts and repay my family.  *gulp*   I’m going to have to role play this conversation a million times and make lots of dua to have the strength to face these past demons.  It’s going to be a fun thanksgiving at my parents’ house this year.  *gulp*

 Here’s the game plan:

*Sit the whole family down, preferably when they’re all happy at the same time

*Say something along the lines of - you all know that when I was younger I stole from mom and dad.  Well, on occasion, I also stole from you guys (ie brother and sister).

*I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching lately, and trying to improve myself.  In Islam, when you violate the rights of another person, you cannot be forgiven of that violation unless you recify the wrongs you did to that person.

*So, I’m here to ask for your forgiveness for my past actions, and to repay you what I took.  I am unsure of the amount, so I have  $x in cash for you (brother and sister).  Mom and Dad, I would like to work out a payment plan with you over the next few months until I’ve paid you back. 

Oh Allah (swt), give me strength!  My heart is palpitating just thinking about doing this.