What is the ruling on using government equipment for charitable organizations? And if the manager grants permission, what is the ruling?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you with good, O Shaykh. What is the ruling on using some devices belonging to a government department for charitable organizations?
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : Using some devices, such as a paper copier, belonging to a government department for charitable organizations?
The Shaykh : Yes, using government equipment, whether cars, copiers, or anything else, is not permissible at all. This is because you are a trustee, and a trustee does not dispose of what he is entrusted with except for the benefit of what he is entrusted with, even if it is in the path of good. For example, if a person comes to you and says, "This is a paper containing a sermon, I want to publish it, please copy it for me," it is not permissible for you to copy it.
The questioner : What if he asks the manager for permission?
The Shaykh : Well, if he brings paper and says, "Copy this paper," it is also not permissible, because it will consume ink, and the operation of the machine also affects it.
People take these matters lightly, but they are serious.
We are asking now; the brother says: If it is with the manager's permission, does the manager have the authority to grant permission for this?
The questioner : I do not know.
The Shaykh : No, I know, he does not have the authority, he does not have the authority to grant permission for this. Therefore, it is obligatory to seek permission from King Fahd. Yes, otherwise, leave it.
The questioner : And if compensation is made?
The Shaykh : Even if compensation is made, even if he compensates, there is also something else. Some people use the office telephone with a number that has a zero in it. Is this prohibited or not? But if the employee says, "If the bill comes, whatever number I used, I will pay for it," it appears that if the office manager permits it, there is no harm. However, I have some concern in my heart about this, because his use of it for his personal benefit might cause someone else who dialed this number to find the line busy, thus losing the opportunity. Therefore, we must be scrupulous. Scrupulousness is necessary. Yes, after that, leniency.
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : Using some devices, such as a paper copier, belonging to a government department for charitable organizations?
The Shaykh : Yes, using government equipment, whether cars, copiers, or anything else, is not permissible at all. This is because you are a trustee, and a trustee does not dispose of what he is entrusted with except for the benefit of what he is entrusted with, even if it is in the path of good. For example, if a person comes to you and says, "This is a paper containing a sermon, I want to publish it, please copy it for me," it is not permissible for you to copy it.
The questioner : What if he asks the manager for permission?
The Shaykh : Well, if he brings paper and says, "Copy this paper," it is also not permissible, because it will consume ink, and the operation of the machine also affects it.
People take these matters lightly, but they are serious.
We are asking now; the brother says: If it is with the manager's permission, does the manager have the authority to grant permission for this?
The questioner : I do not know.
The Shaykh : No, I know, he does not have the authority, he does not have the authority to grant permission for this. Therefore, it is obligatory to seek permission from King Fahd. Yes, otherwise, leave it.
The questioner : And if compensation is made?
The Shaykh : Even if compensation is made, even if he compensates, there is also something else. Some people use the office telephone with a number that has a zero in it. Is this prohibited or not? But if the employee says, "If the bill comes, whatever number I used, I will pay for it," it appears that if the office manager permits it, there is no harm. However, I have some concern in my heart about this, because his use of it for his personal benefit might cause someone else who dialed this number to find the line busy, thus losing the opportunity. Therefore, we must be scrupulous. Scrupulousness is necessary. Yes, after that, leniency.