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:
➤ 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.
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.
