Using an item belonging to the municipality

Question

Question: A person has been given for use some item that is the property of the municipality. Considering it somewhat useless, he gives it to someone else, who has it repaired as he wishes and puts it to his own use, and the giver says: “You are the owner.” In this case, should he consider himself the owner or not, or what should he do?

Answer

If it was received from the municipality merely for use, as an ‘ariya (a loan for use), and this person was not made its owner, then he has no right to give it to anyone or to make anyone its owner, and it is not proper for the other person to take it.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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