Question
Is it permissible to use someone’s possession without permission e.g. a vehicle?
The reason the person has prohibited someone else from using the car is because he incurred R6600 worth of fines, did not service it while using it for 3 years, does not pay the monthly installment or the annual car license.
Once the person settles the outstanding debt, then only will he be allowed to use it.
He however, ignores this and takes her car without permission claiming that it is only to go to the Musjid. He has another vehicle which he gifted to this person but still uses but prefers the other car because it is small and light on fuel.
Like this one example, there are countless others.
Answer
In principle, it is not permissible for a person to use somebody else’s wealth or his commodity or anything without his permission. Allah Ta’aala says in the Holy Qur’an:
وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بَيْنَكُمْ بِالْبَاطِلِ
(Al-Baqarah: 188)
And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly
It comes in the Hadeeth of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam:
لا يحل مال امرئ إلا بطيب نفس منه
(مسند أحمد٢٠٦٩٥)
“It is not permissible to take a man’s wealth except when he is willing to give it”.
It also comes in the Hadeeth Shareef that it is not even permissible for one to take somebody else’s commodity jokingly, and if one even takes someone’s stick Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam has commanded him to return it to the owner. Hereunder is text of the Hadeeth.
“لا يأخذن أحدكم متاع أخيه جادا ولا لاعبا، وإذا أخذ أحدكم عصا أخيه فليردها عليه”
(مسند احمد١٧٩٤٠)
Moreover, if someone takes someone’s things without his permission, then he must return it back to its owner in the same state that he took it in, if there is any damage then he must give the compensation for it. In your situation any fines the person incurred, he will be liable for and he must pay them off and since seeing that his constant usage against your wishes is causing wear and tear to the vehicle, he will be liable to service your vehicle as well.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
References
أن المأذون يتصرف في الشيء بالإذن الشرعي والغاصب بلا إذن شرعي… (فاستخدام العبد وتحميل الدابة غصب) (قوله وتحميل الدابة) أي ولو مشتركة وكذا ركوبها، فيضمن نصيب صاحبها، ولو ركب فنزل وتركها في مكانها لم يضمن،؛ لأن الغصب لم يتحقق بدون النقل كما في المحيط. وينبغي أن يكون الاستخدام كذلك قهستاني. لكن إذا تلفت بنفس الحمل والركوب يضمن وإن لم يحولها لوجود الإتلاف بفعله كما يأتي
(الدر مع الرد ٦/١٧٩)
ولو قاد دابة أو ساقها أو ركبها أو حمل عليها شيئا بغير أمر المالك فهو ضامن سواء عطبت في تلك الخدمة أو في غيرها
(الدر مع الرد٥/١٢١)