Ruling on imposing a fine on one who delays returning mosque books
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Question:
In the last of the questions, the questioner Abu Mu'awiyyah from Amman, Jordan, says: In some mosques, books are lent out on the condition that whoever delays in returning them, or in returning these books beyond the specified time, pays a specific monetary fine for each day of delay, which is spent on the mosque or for the benefit of the mosque. Is this permissible, O Shaykh?
Answer:
Yes; because this falls under the category of a lease. If he delays, he continues to owe the fee for his enjoyment of the book beyond the specified time. I do not know of any harm in this; it encourages people to fulfill the conditions and keep their commitments, and prevents them from being lax about keeping the books. So if five or six days are specified, and it is said to him: for anything more, you must pay such and such for the delay of the book, there is no harm in it, if Allah wills; because it entails a great benefit. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
In the last of the questions, the questioner Abu Mu'awiyyah from Amman, Jordan, says: In some mosques, books are lent out on the condition that whoever delays in returning them, or in returning these books beyond the specified time, pays a specific monetary fine for each day of delay, which is spent on the mosque or for the benefit of the mosque. Is this permissible, O Shaykh?
Answer:
Yes; because this falls under the category of a lease. If he delays, he continues to owe the fee for his enjoyment of the book beyond the specified time. I do not know of any harm in this; it encourages people to fulfill the conditions and keep their commitments, and prevents them from being lax about keeping the books. So if five or six days are specified, and it is said to him: for anything more, you must pay such and such for the delay of the book, there is no harm in it, if Allah wills; because it entails a great benefit. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.