Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Volume 09
If, due to necessity, someone uses another person’s belonging without informing them and later replaces it with a new item, is this considered theft?
Using someone else’s item without permission, even in a state of necessity, falls under the category of theft (چوری) in Sharīʿah.
➤ Necessity does not make it permissible to take something without the owner’s consent, because:
Even a thief justifies theft due to need.
➤ If a person uses the item and later replaces it with a new one, the sin may be compensated, but:
The initial act remains one of theft, as it involved taking something without consent.
If the item belongs to someone with whom the person shares a close relationship—like a sibling, friend, or family member—and:
- The other party does not mind such usage,
- Or the person has access, such as holding the key to their home, etc.,
➤ Then taking minor items is considered customarily acceptable and is not sinful in such cases.
Summary:
Without permission, even necessary use is considered theft, unless clear customary allowance or close relation permits it.
