Indeed, Islam regards public or private facilities and funds as sacred as the money of an orphan, and they are thus to be maintained and preserved and not to be touched. However, the only exception is in respect to what is known as customary use or practice acknowledged and accepted by society.
The European Council for Fatwa and Research issued the following: “The basic principle in regards with public funds/facilities, i.e., that of government or private establishments, is that they are not to be infringed upon, particularly that the Qur’an and authentic Hadiths emphasized the severe punishment awaiting those who take from such funds without due right. Indeed, scholars considered these funds similar in status to the money of an orphan, and they are thus to be maintained and preserved and not to be touched. However, the exception in this case is that which has become customary practice widely acknowledged and accepted by society, as this implies that there is an implicit and underlying permission. In any case, one must not use this permission extensively, as the basic principle aforementioned stands and remains valid. In addition, a Muslim, who seeks perfection in his religion, ought to refrain from such practices in accordance with the Hadith: “…and whoever remains away from controversial matters, has indeed perfected his religion and reputation…” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)”