Question:
If one were to find some money on the streets, should he pick it up?
Answer:
“If the personal belongings which are found on the buses, whether items or money, have value that people are normally attached to and look for; you have to publicize them with all possible means. Examples of such means are to use advertisements that you can stick to your company’s offices and cars, to enunciate the matter immediately after Jumu`ah (Friday) Prayer by the doors of nearby Masjids (mosques), and to make announcements in broadcasting or newspapers if you are able to do so. However, if a person claims any of these personal belongings and is able to describe its characteristics, it should be given to them. Otherwise, such items should be sold after one year has passed. The price thereof is to be possessed by the company which is permitted to donate it in charitable projects. If the person to whom the concerned item is due claims it afterwards, the company should tell them about the matter and the latter should approve of the Sadaqah (voluntary charity) or the company should pay them the value of their item. On the other hand, you do not have to publicize personal belongings which are of no value that people are normally attached to. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.”
The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’ ”
