Question Summary:
Using someone’s money for myself and then replacing it.

Question Detail:

 
I was given some money as fees to pass on to the fees collector of a madrassah. The people had entrusted me with it. Whilst it was with me, i was at a shop once and realised at the till that i had left my money at home and only had this fees. With the niyyat to put it back later i opened the envelope and used some money. At the time i thought it was okay But later when i thought about it, it didnt feel right. I feel bad about this and i feel like i did khiyaanat. Am i sinful and is my shopping haraam- i have replaced the money. I know I will never do this again Inshaa-Allah and i have done tawbah. Do i have to tell the madrassah about this incident or the person? Either way i feel like i will be disclosing a fault of mine and bringing shame upon myself. I am really embarrassed by what i have done and have done tawbah and will do more too inshaa-Allah. Please tell me if my shopping is haraam and whether i have to inform them? And if this is really khayaanat because i did intend to replace it?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.  
The money given to you was a trust.[1] By opening the envelope and using it elsewhere, you did not honor the trust and indeed committed an act of khiyānah.[2] In such situations, it is necessary for one to compensate the owner of the money[3] and make abundant tawbah for committing such a deed. Since you replaced the money, it will not be necessary to inform the madarsah and your shopping will be halāl.[4]
In the future, you should make sure to fear Allāh Ta`ālā, honor such trusts, and exercise precaution in such matters.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Bilal Mohammad
Student Darul Iftaa
New Jersey, USA 
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net