I called some people in various

Q: In my country, there is a common phenomenon that people have widely differed about its ruling in Islam, namely, the stolen phone. There is a large number of Arab students staying in this country and each of them wants to make international calls, which are too expensive. Therefore, they know some places where prices of phone calls are cheaper than the normal prices, because such places allow customers to make calls via stolen phone lines of the individuals or the government.Many people argue that this is permissible since the government is non-Muslim and antagonizes Islam and Muslims, so they think that they are entitled, even obliged, to damage the economy of this country. They deem this matter permissible, (Part No. 23; Page No. 447) particularly when the phone line belongs to the government.Your Eminence, we would like to hear your Fatwa on this matter, and we ask Allah, the Most High and Omnipotent, to guide you to what brings good to Islam and Muslims.

A: It is not permissible to unjustly consume the property of such a government, even if it is Kafir (non-Muslim), since it took covenant from you and permitted you to enter its lands by virtue of this covenant. Moreover, you promised to keep its security and not to spread corruption in it. As you enter its lands, you have to abide by that covenant and promise; otherwise, it will not grant you access. In fact, a Muslim does not break his promise or covenant out of betrayal. He does not betray his trust. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And fulfil (every) covenant. Verily, the covenant, will be questioned about. He also said: O you who believe! Fulfil (your) obligations. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Three are the signs of a hypocrite: When he speaks he tells a lie, when he makes a promise he acts treacherously, and when he is trusted he betrays. Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah. This addition is in another narration related by Muslim: even if he observes fasting, prays and claims that he is a Muslim. (Part No. 23; Page No. 448) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.