What is the ruling on disposing of another person's property without his permission?
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The questioner : Shaykh, may Allah reward you. What is the ruling on disposing of money that a person was entrusted to deliver to someone else, when the entrusted person disposes of it without the owner's consent? For example, if he was in a grocery store and did not have any money, but he found this money he was entrusted to deliver, so he used it, knowing that he would return it?
The Shaykh : This is a question asking: A person was given dirhams to deliver to someone, and before he met the person, he needed the dirhams. Is it permissible for him to use them for his need?
The answer is: No, it is not permissible. When he was given the dirhams, he should have said, "I am afraid I will need them," so that he would be permitted to dispose of them. But without his permission, it is not permissible.
The questioner : Even if he is trusted to return them?
The Shaykh : Even if he is trusted, a person cannot be trusted, not even for one dirham. A person may die suddenly, and the debt remains on his estate, and the heirs may deny it.
The questioner : Even in case of need?
The Shaykh : Never, even in case of need. It is like eating carrion; he should not take it.
The questioner : But he has already disposed of it?
The Shaykh : Now he must seek the owner's permission. If the owner permits it, there is no blame on him.
The Shaykh : This is a question asking: A person was given dirhams to deliver to someone, and before he met the person, he needed the dirhams. Is it permissible for him to use them for his need?
The answer is: No, it is not permissible. When he was given the dirhams, he should have said, "I am afraid I will need them," so that he would be permitted to dispose of them. But without his permission, it is not permissible.
The questioner : Even if he is trusted to return them?
The Shaykh : Even if he is trusted, a person cannot be trusted, not even for one dirham. A person may die suddenly, and the debt remains on his estate, and the heirs may deny it.
The questioner : Even in case of need?
The Shaykh : Never, even in case of need. It is like eating carrion; he should not take it.
The questioner : But he has already disposed of it?
The Shaykh : Now he must seek the owner's permission. If the owner permits it, there is no blame on him.