Is it permissible to misuse public telephones? In Romania, many young Muslim people use expired telephone cards and talk for long hours for free. They argue that Romania fights Muslims through mass media, imposes restrictions on the Muslim community living there, and allies with the West against Islam.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

This is deceptive behavior, which involves unlawful consumption of public wealth. It does not belong to the ethics that should be observed by Muslims towards other Muslims and non-Muslims. It was narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, passed by a pile of food and put his hand into it, and his fingers touched something wet. He said: “‘What is this (wetness), O seller?’ The man said, ‘It was made wet by the rain, O Messenger of Allaah.’ He said: ‘So put it (the wet part) on top of the pile so that the people could see it. He who cheats us does not belong to us (Muslims).’” [Muslim]

Claiming that Romania is a non-Muslim country that fights Islam and imposes restrictions on Muslims is not a valid excuse for the Muslim youth – may Allaah guide them – to adopt such an attitude. That is because they entered the country under a covenant that they had with the authority and settled there enjoying protection by the state.  Therefore, it is not permissible for them to breach the covenant or violate the protection until leaving the country. If they are caught red-handed, their misconduct will expose them to humiliation and will be an affront to Islam and Muslims. Therefore, they should pay attention to this.

Allaah Knows best.