Regarding Spending Found Money

Monir Hossain
Via email

Question: A few days ago, I went to Zia Udyan with my family and found Tk 15,000. Despite making several attempts, I could not find the owner. Was it right for me to keep the money? What should I have done, and what should I do now?

Answer: It is not permissible to spend found money for personal use. If the owner cannot be found despite reasonable efforts, the money should be donated to an appropriate cause on the owner’s behalf, with the intention that the reward reaches them. If the finder is eligible to receive charity, they may keep the money and pray that its reward reaches the owner. If the owner is a non-Muslim, one may pray for their guidance and worldly well-being. It is preferable not to pick up lost money or property, as doing so places responsibility for it on the finder. However, if there is a risk that the money or property may be lost and the finder considers themselves trustworthy, they may take it with the intention of finding and returning it to the owner. The finder should keep the money safely and continue efforts to locate the owner, including making announcements, for at least two years or longer in some cases. After the specified period, if the owner cannot be found, the money or property should be donated on the owner’s behalf with the intention of earning reward for them. If the owner is later found, the finder is not obligated to return the money according to this guidance. However, if the owner is in need, voluntarily giving them the money would be a highly rewarding act. This is known as ‘Ihsan’ in Sharia.

Of course, this is purely voluntary and humanitarian. There is no legal requirement to return the money.

Answered by: Allama Mufti Ubaidur Rahman Khan Nadvi
Source: Jameul Fatawa, Islamic Fiqh and Fatwa Encyclopedia

Use the email below to send questions:
inqilabqna@gmail.com