How can I respond when a vending machine gives two items and they want to keep both? 

Parenting Perspective 

When a vending machine drops an extra snack, a child’s first instinct is often delight rather than deceit. To them, it feels like a harmless bonus, not an act of dishonesty. Your role is to help them see that honesty is measured precisely in these quiet, seemingly insignificant moments. 

Turn Surprise Into a Teachable Moment 

Begin the conversation with calm warmth. You could say, ‘Oh, that is a surprise! But let us think for a moment—whose snack was that extra one meant to be?’ By avoiding a scolding tone and approaching the situation with curiosity, you open the door for reflection. Explain simply: ‘Sometimes machines make mistakes, but the snack still belongs to the company. Keeping it would not be fair.’ This helps them to see the issue through the lens of fairness, not fear. 

Teach the Principle: ‘Unclaimed Does Not Mean Ours’ 

Children often equate ‘found’ or ‘extra’ with ‘free’. It is important to clarify that an accidental gain is not the same as a gift. Use relatable examples to make the point clear. 

• ‘If your friend accidentally dropped one of their toys, would it be yours to keep?’ 

• ‘If a teacher gave you two stickers by mistake, would you keep them both without saying anything?’ 

These parallels help to link the principle of honesty across different contexts. 

Model the Correct Response in Real Time 

If this situation happens when you are with your child, guide them through the correct response step by step. 

• Pause and Notice: ‘Look, this is more than what we paid for.’ 

• Report or Return: Find a nearby attendant to inform, leave the extra item clearly visible on top of the machine, or make a note to contact customer service. 

• Reflect: ‘Doing the right thing, even for something small, keeps our hearts feeling light and peaceful.’ 

By inviting them to handle the return themselves, you give them a sense of agency and pride in their honest decision. 

Build Pride in Integrity, Not Fear of Guilt 

When they act honestly, affirm the feeling behind the action: ‘You just did something really strong. Allah loves truthfulness, even in the smallest of matters.’ Emphasise that returning an unearned item is not about losing out, but about earning barakah—an unseen blessing. This reframes the moral choice as a source of joy, not of guilt. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, even the smallest form of unearned gain is considered an amanah—a trust that must be handled with justice. A true believer treats fairness in pennies with the same seriousness as fairness in pounds, because both are seen by Allah Almighty. 

Fairness in Every Transaction 

The Quran condemns the act of taking more than one’s right in any transaction, no matter how subtle it may seem. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Mutaffifeen (83), Verses 1–3: 

‘Woe be to those fraudsters (who shortchange people in their material dealings); those people when they account (for receipts) from people, they demand it in full. And when they account (for debts) upon them, or (they have to pay) by weight, they cause a loss (to the other).’ 

This verse warns against unfair dealings. You can explain to your child, ‘If we keep what is not rightfully ours, even if it was given by mistake, we become like those who “take in full but give less.” Returning it keeps our dealings honest before Allah.’ 

The Blessing of Honest Dealing 

The teachings of our Prophet ﷺ place those who are honest and trustworthy in the highest of company. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 1209, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The truthful and trustworthy merchant will be with the Prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs.’ 

You can tell your child, ‘Every time you act with honesty in your dealings, even with a vending machine, you are walking in the footsteps of the truthful. That is how Allah measures greatness.’ 

Encourage them to whisper a short dua after they have done the right thing: ‘O Allah, make me among the trustworthy, in small and big things alike.’ In time, your child will see that every small act of integrity builds a reputation that even machines cannot measure: the reputation of being trusted by people and, more importantly, by Allah.