Returning Borrowed Items

Answered by Shaykh Ilyas Patel

Question: Assalaamu ‘alaykum,

What does shari’ah say, if someone has borrowed something, didn’t return it after using what he needed, and then continued to use it?

I see women who borrow sewing thread to sew clothes, but do not return the rest – mostly out of ignorance/ or just don’t think it is necessarily.

Is this haram?

Answer: Wassalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,

I hope you are in good health

If someone borrows something from you it has to be given back. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, ‘the borrowed is to be returned…’ (Tirmidhi)

It is wrong to keep the any item if one has finished using it. It would good to remind the person to return it if he is finished with it.

And Allah alone gives success

Wassalam,
Ilyas Patel