Disposing of Luqatah without announcing it

Q: Twenty years ago, a man found 330 Riyals and did not search for its owner, he instead bought a camel with this money for his marriage ceremony. When one of his relatives inquired about (Part No. 15; Page No. 443) its source, he replied that it was his salary. He asked a scholar about the legitimacy of this money, who ordered him to repay it in charity to the poor. What should he do?

A: He must search for the owner of this money in the place where he found it and return it to him. If he finds its rightful owner, he has to give it to him otherwise he can give this sum of money as a Sadaqah (voluntary charity) to the poor on behalf of its owner. If the owner of this sum of money appears in the future, he must tell him that he gave it as Sadaqah, and if he accepts, he will be free from liability otherwise, he has to repay him. This person should ask Allah for forgiveness and repent for not searching for the owner for this long period and for lying to his relatives as the owner of this sum of money maybe one of them. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.