What is the ruling if the master chooses to leave the property in the slave's custody after taking possession?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Lost-and-Found Property

Book 29 · Issue 6 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If the master chooses to leave the property with the slave, it is permissible if the slave is trustworthy (ameen), as the master is utilizing the slave for its safekeeping, similar to using him to safeguard his own wealth. If the slave is not trustworthy, the master is considered negligent (mufarrit) by leaving it in his hands, and liability falls upon the master, just as if he had taken it and then returned it to the slave, since the slave's possession is equivalent to the master's possession, and what is acquired through it belongs to the master.