No liability on one who has been relieved of charge

Question

Question: Zayd is a teacher at a madrasa. The headmaster made Zayd responsible for it and also handed the key of the room over to Zayd. But because of certain shortcomings of Zayd, the headmaster took the key of the room back from him and kept it with himself. After the key was taken from Zayd, a financial loss occurred in that room. Now, after the key was taken from Zayd, who is responsible for the room, and upon whom does the loss fall?

Answer

Since the loss occurred after the key was taken from Zayd, Zayd is not responsible; the one who has the key is responsible.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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