Fatwa ID: 08014

Answered by Alima Aisha Qureshi

Question:
If I have some old vinyl records in my possession belonging to someone else, must I return the records to them or can I dispose of them because the music is prohibited? In other words, my question is: can I dispose of these borrowed records?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:
Salam alikum

Even though music is haram, since this isn’t your property and it belongs to someone else, you are not allowed to get rid of it without the permission of the owner. If he agrees to let you dispose of them, then you can do so.

Otherwise, you must return the records back to the rightful owner as it is a trust (Amanah) and the property of someone else.

Only Allah knows best.
Written by (Alimah Aisha Qureshi)
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham

Reference:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ‏- رضى الله عنه ‏- قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ ‏- صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏-{أَدِّ اَلْأَمَانَةَ إِلَى مَنْ اِئْتَمَنَكَ, وَلَا تَخُنْ مَنْ خَانَكَ } رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ, وَاَلتِّرْمِذِيُّ وَحَسَّنَهُ, وَصَحَّحَهُ اَلْحَاكِمُ

(Sunan abi daud hadith 134)