Liability For Damage Caused Through A Fire Not Started Deliberately
Question
We had a fire at our business, the cause of which is unknown. It started at a premises we sublet to a friend of ours, and then spread and destroyed the goods in our warehouse and damaged the building. Alhamdulillah, approximately a month later, we restarted our business.
What is my friend whose shop wherein the fire began financial obligations to me?
Answer
As the cause of the fire is unknown, it is very unlikely that your friend started the fire deliberately or that there was negligence on his part. Your friend cannot hence be held responsible for any damages to your property or goods.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
فَقَدْ قَالَ فِي جَامِعِ الْفُصُولَيْنِ : أَوْقَدَ نَارًا فِي أَرْضٍ بِلَا إِذْنِ الْمَالِكِ ضَمِنَ مَا أَحْرَقَتْهُ فِي مَكَانَ أُوقِدَتْ فِيهِ لَا مَا أَحْرَقَتْهُ فِي مَكَانَ آخَرَ تَعَدَّتْ إِلَيْهِ ، وَفَرَّقَ بَيْنَ الْمَاءِ وَالنَّارِ ، فَإِنَّهُ لَوْ أَسَالَ الْمَاءَ إِلَى مِلْكِهِ فَسَالَ إِلَى أَرْضِ غَيْرِهِ وَأَتْلَفَ شَيْئًا ثَمَّةَ ضَمِنَ ، بِخِلَافِ النَّارِ إِذْ طَبْعُ النَّارِ الْخُمُودُ ، وَالتَّعَدِّي يَكُونُ بِفِعْلِ الرِّيحِ وَنَحْوِهِ فَلَمْ يُضَفْ إِلَى فِعْلِ الْمُوقِدِ فَلَمْ يَضْمَنْ وَمِنْ طَبْعِ الْمَاءِ السَّيَلَانُ فَالْإِتْلَافُ يُضَافُ إِلَى فِعْلِهِ ا هـ فَتَدَبَّرْ رَمْلِي
(رد المحتار ص ٨٨ ج٦)
- Approved by
- Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
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