A watchmaker having many watches for a long time whose owners never claimed them

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Q: I work in the field of fixing clocks and watches. My father died three years ago. I am still working in this field. But this work tired my eyes. Oculists recommended me to give up this work. I have many watches and clocks that I was given to fix. The owners of these watches did not come to take their watches. I have had these watches and clocks for a period that ranges from months to twenty years. Some of the owners of these watches and clocks paid for mending it and did not come to take them. What should I do concerning these watches? Should I sell them and pay their value as a charity? Or what should I do?

A: If you do not know the owners of these watches and clocks or their heirs, you will be permitted to sell them and pay their value as charity on behalf of their owners. Moreover, you can take from their value the fees of mending them. If any of the owners of these watches and clocks comes to take his watch, you can tell him what has happened. If he dos not accept that, you have to pay him the value of his watch. (Part No. 15; Page No. 408) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.