Agreeing on a fixed salary plus

Q: I submit my letter to Your Honor informing you that in around 1373 A.H. I was in the town of Al-Ahad a region of `Asir (Part No. 14; Page No. 333) to buy food for my children. Thereupon, a man whom I did not know came to me and gave me a piece of cloth (a veil) to trade as a joint venture. I refused to take it thrice, but he insisted that I take it. I told him that it would probably not bring neither me nor him any benefit; however, he supplicated Allah to make it profitable for both of us. I took it and invested it until it finally yielded camels and sheep. Thereafter, I went to Al-Ahad asking about him but I could find neither him nor anyone who knew him. In 1395, I sold the sheep and took my share and reserved his. However, I still have the camels which have not been distributed yet. Your honor, I have grown very old and weak, so I hope that you will tell me how to dispose of the man's share.

A: If the case is as you mentioned, the questioner should give in charity his partner's share to the poor and share in constructing some Masjids (mosques) on behalf of his partner. However, if he comes to demand his share, he is to be given the choice either to approve of the charity, in which case the reward will be his, or given his share, in which case the reward will be yours. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.