The tenant of our house fled without paying rent for a few months, leaving his belongings with almost the same amount of rent. He is unlikely to return. Would it be permissible for me to use these things now?
Answer:
Ref. No. 1307/42-665
In the name of Allah the most Gracious the most Merciful
The answer to your question is as follows:
In the above case, if there is no way to contact with him and he is unlikely to return as you have written, then it is allowable to use the goods for rent or to sell it and get the price as a rent.
قال الحموي في شرح الکنز․․․ إن عدم جواز الأخذ من فلان الجنس کان في زمانہم لمطاوعتہم في الحقوق والفتوی الیوم علی جواز الأخذ عند القدرة من أيّ مالٍ کان لا سیّما في دیارنا لمداومتہم العقوق الخ (رد المحتار علی الدر المختار:1/221) امداد الفتاوی (3/415، سوال: 43)
And Allah knows best
Darul Ifta
Darul Uloom Waqf Deoband