Q: Please, Your Eminence, be advised that in the year 1391 A.H.,
a man died in the hospital. People found with him six hundred Riyals and a watch; they were put in the hospital's safe until his relatives come to claim them. His possessions remained for a long time and none of his heirs showed up.
We inquired about him, but nobody knew any of his family. After over ten years, I got rid of them. I gave the six hundred Riyals as Sadaqah (voluntary charity) on behalf of the dead, and I estimated the watch to be a hundred Riyals, as its value at that time was less than fifty Riayls, and I gave the seven hundred Riyals as Sadaqah to the poor on behalf of that dead person. Please, Your Eminence, answer me, so that my conscience would be clear. May Allah reward you all the best and guide you. As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)
A:
If you do not know a rightful recipient who deserves the mentioned money, you should give it as Sadaqah (Part No. 15; Page No. 418) on behalf of its owner. If the owner shows up and claims it, tell them what you have done. If they accept it, it will be fine; otherwise, you should give them the money, and you will be rewarded for the Sadaqah. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.