What is the ruling of Islamic law on dealing with devices left at a repair shop for very long periods, and are they considered a trust that may not be disposed of, and if so, what is the period for which they must be kept?
Devices left by their owners for repair are considered a trust (amanah) that must be safeguarded. If the device owner delays collecting it for a long time, or if keeping the device causes harm to the workshop owner due to limited space or difficulty in storage, it is permissible to sell the device at its market value, deduct the repair fee, and keep the remaining amount for its owner. It is recommended to set clear conditions for customers regarding the specified period for collecting devices, otherwise, the workshop owner has the right to dispose of them by selling them and taking their fee, then donating the remainder or discarding them. It is also preferable to communicate with the customer before the specified period ends.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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