Is it obligatory to destroy a mobile phone purchased from someone whose earnings are known to be unlawful?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If the phone was stolen, one must repent to Allah for purchasing it, and return it to its owner if he is known. The thief is then responsible for compensating the buyer for the price, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "If a man's possession is stolen or lost, and he finds it in the possession of a specific person, then he has the greater right to it, and the buyer should seek compensation for the price from the seller." However, if it was not stolen but was purchased with unlawful money, such as usury or bribery, then it is permissible to benefit from it.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/175033
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 175033
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy