May an item be taken when its owner has discarded it, and how does storage differ?
2026-10-13
F181 · Selected fatwas
Shaykh Ibn Bāz
الشيخ عبد العزيز بن عبد الله بن باز
Original Q&A · Full displayed answer
The permission concerns property genuinely discarded by its owner. Carelessly stored belongings are distinguished from items willingly abandoned.
النص العربي
السؤال الأصلي
يقول: هل يجوز أخذ شيء دون علم صاحبه، علما بأن صاحب الشيء رام به في سلة المهملات بمعنى: أنه لا يحتاج إليه؟
الجواب
إن كان أراد به الحفظ محلا يحفظ فيه فلا يجوز إلا بإذنه، أما إذا كان في محل مثل القمامة قد انتهى منه ولا يأخذه ولا يرغب فيه، فلمن أراد أخذه الأخذ، أما إذا كان المحل تحفظ فيه الحاجات ولو كان فيه تساهل، لكنه ليس بتارك لهم، وطايبة نفسه به، بل إنما يجعله فيه لوقت ما، فلا بد من استئذانه وموافقته. نعم.
English translation
English rendering prepared for SalafAlSalih.com from the cited Arabic answer. Not an official translation.
Original question
May something be taken without its owner knowing, when he has thrown it into the waste basket, meaning that he no longer needs it?
Answer
If he intended to keep it in a place where it is safeguarded, it may not be taken without his permission. If it is in a place such as the rubbish, he has finished with it and neither wants nor intends to take it, anyone wishing to take it may do so. But if the place is used for storing things, even carelessly, and he has not abandoned them willingly but only leaves them there for a time, his permission and agreement are necessary. Yes.
Source and editorial notes
Official Ibn Baz website, item 9444
الموقع الرسمي للشيخ ابن باز
Official website of Shaykh Ibn Baz
Arabic checked against the complete displayed answer on the official Ibn Baz page. Printed locator is the website’s own reference.