The Ethics of Self-Imposed Fines: A Case Study
Question: A truck passing through the village broke the power lines, and the villagers surrounded the driver and demanded 20,000 rupees, eventually settling for 9,000 rupees. However, repairing the lines only cost 1,000 rupees. Was this action justifiable, and was it permissible to take the extra money?
Answer: If the police were notified, then this became a police matter, and they should have handled it according to the law. However, if the villagers decided to handle it themselves, they should have called an electrician to repair the lines and charged the driver for the actual repair costs. Extorting an excessive amount of money from the driver is unjust and constitutes oppression.
Respondent: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi Hafizahullah
Jeddah Dawah Center, Saudi Arabia
Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail