What is the ruling on using or selling a phone device that was purchased while stolen, with the buyer becoming aware of that later, and the original owner being displeased?
If a person possesses a stolen item and realizes it is stolen, the right to it still belongs to the original owner. The person in possession of the stolen item must return it to its owner if possible, otherwise, they are sinful. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "Whoever finds his exact property with a man, he has more right to it, and the sale follows the one who sold it."
The mobile phone must be returned to the one who claims it was stolen from his child if he provides evidence for that. The person from whom the phone was returned has the right to reclaim the price from the one who sold it to him. However, if the claimant has no evidence, the defendant must take an oath; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "The burden of proof is on the claimant, and the oath is on the defendant."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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