May a Misleading Book Be Destroyed If Ownership Is Unclear?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

May a book containing misleading beliefs be destroyed if ownership is unclear, and keeping it risks harm?

Answer

I pray you are well.

If the ownership of the book is unclear, then destroying it would generally be problematic. In most places, one is not permitted to damage or destroy the property of another person.

There is some dispensation in the Shari‘a regarding some issues. In a Muslim country, if something is definitely being used for misguidance, some of the fuqaha mentioned that it could be permissible to remove it. However, as a general rule, if you are not sure that you own something, then you should not destroy it.

Warning Others and Avoiding Harm

If the material is misleading, then those who may be vulnerable should be warned. One can inform people about it and advise them accordingly.

If there is a way to dispose of such material without contravening the law, then it may be done in that manner.

Removing Misguiding Material When Possible

I once went into a library and found many books about Islam left for free public distribution by a member of the Qadiani sect, including altered translations of the Quran. Since they were being presented as Islam while clearly contradicting Islamic teachings, I took them and brought them to an Islamic institute, asking them to dispose of them.

In cases like this, if you can remove material safely, then you may do so.

When Disposal Is Permissible

If the book is yours, then you may dispose of it however you wish. Otherwise, it is better to warn people through other means, especially those who may be vulnerable.

And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began studying Arabic Grammar and Morphology whilst studying for a degree in English and History. After graduating, He traveled to Damascus and studied Arabic, Hanafi Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Theology, and Logic with Shaykh Adnan Darwish, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahman Arjan al-Binsawi, Shaykh Husayn Darwish, Shaykh Muhammad Darwish, the late Shaykh Rashad Shams, and others. He then moved to Amman to continue his studies in those fields, as well as in Tafsir, Quranic Sciences, Hadith Methodology and Commentary, Prophetic Biography, Prophetic Perfections and Traits, Rhetoric, Arabic Literature, and Tajwid. His teachers include Shaykh Ali Hani, Dr. Hamza al-Bakri, Dr Salah Abu al-Hajj, Dr Mansur Abu Zina, Shaykh Ahmad Hasanat, Shaykh Ahmad Jammal, and others.