Is secretly irrigating a farm with water from a residential meter considered theft, given that the government expropriated the farm's water source for a pittance?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The interest of the community takes precedence over the interest of the individual. It is permissible to appropriate a water source for the public good, provided that compensation is given for the damage. One must first claim their right from the authorities. If that is not possible, then it is permissible for someone who is unable to obtain their right to take from their debtor's wealth an amount equivalent to their right without their permission. This is known as the issue of al-zhafar (taking one's right by force).
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/40420
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 40420
- 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