Can I Occasionally Use the Office Printer for Personal Use?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: Assalam Alaikum,
Is it permissible to occasionally use the office printer for personal use. I work in a graduate lab where it is common among students to do this.
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.
The basis is that it is not permitted to use another’s property without their permission.
Allah Most High says, “You who believe, do not wrongfully consume each other’s wealth but trade by mutual consent.” [4.29] And the Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “A Muslim’s property is not permitted to take without their permission.” [Ahmad]
As such you should exercise caution as much as reasonably possible. The rights of others is a serious matter and wronging others is of the gravest of deeds.
In general, if you are unsure whether permission has been granted, you should seek clarification from the owners.
However, when permission is clearly known or something is customarily accepted, then it would be permitted to use the property as this would be considered to be implicit permission.
Please see: Surfing the Internet and Checking Personal Emails at Work and: Using Someone Else’s Internet Connection or Network and: Using Another’s Property Without Permission
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani