What must someone do after investing an entrusted deposit without permission?
2026-10-13
F178 · Selected fatwas
Shaykh Ibn Bāz
الشيخ عبد العزيز بن عبد الله بن باز
Original Q&A · Full displayed answer
Returning the original sum does not by itself settle unauthorized use and the profit. The answer requires the owner’s permission or an agreed lawful settlement.
النص العربي
السؤال الأصلي
أودع عندي أحد الأشخاص نقودا، فاستفدت من هذه النقود واستثمرتها، وعندما جاءني صاحب المال رددت له ماله كاملا، ولم أخبره بما استفدته من ماله، هل تصرفي جائز أم لا؟
الجواب
إذا أودع عندك أحد وديعة، فليس لك التصرف فيها إلا بإذنه، وعليك أن تحفظها فيما يحفظ فيه مثلها، فإذا تصرفت فيها بغير إذنه فعليك أن تستسمحه، فإن سمح، وإلا فأعطه ربح ماله، أو اصطلح معه على النصف أو غيره، والصلح جائز بين المسلمين، إلا صلحا حرم حلالا أو أحل حراما.
English translation
English rendering prepared for SalafAlSalih.com from the cited Arabic answer. Not an official translation.
Original question
Someone deposited money with me. I used and invested it. When its owner returned, I gave back all his money but did not tell him what I had gained from it. Is what I did permissible?
Answer
If someone entrusts a deposit to you, you may not use it without his permission. You must safeguard it in the manner in which comparable deposits are safeguarded. If you used it without permission, you must seek his pardon. If he agrees, well and good; otherwise give him the profit of his money, or agree with him on half or another share. Settlements are permissible between Muslims except a settlement that forbids what is lawful or permits what is forbidden.
Source and editorial notes
Official Ibn Baz website, item 19002; Majmūʿ Fatāwā wa-Maqālāt 19/411 (reference supplied by the website)
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.