Question :
I`m a university employee. My shift starts at eight am and ends at five pm. During this period, I use an electric heater to make coffee and the like. What is the ruling of Sharia on this?
The Answer :
Praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds.
If the university`s administration bans using electrical appliances that consume a great deal of electricity, then it isn`t permissible for you to violate the university`s policy in this regard and transgress against its property. The evidence on this is that Allah Says (What means): "O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst you Traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily God hath been to you Most Merciful! If any do that in rancour and injustice,- soon shall We cast them into the Fire: And easy it is for God." {An-Nisa`, 29-30}.
However, if the university`s administration doesn`t object to that, then there is nothing wrong with your using that heater. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.