Entrusting a deposit with another person

Q 1: One of our neighbors was a Pakistani tailor who left the country and is not coming back. He gave us a coat for someone called Musfir and requested that we keep it until its owner came. Moreover, the concerned tailor took the cost of the coat repair from us and asked us to give the coat to its owner when they came back (Part No. 15; Page No. 405) and to take from them the cost of the repair thereof. Nevertheless, the owner of the coat did not come to receive it. Two years have passed so far. What should I do with it? May Allah reward you with the best.

A: In the case that the reality is exactly as what is mentioned in the question, you have to sell the coat, take the fee of the tailor, and give the rest of the coat's value to the poor as a Sadaqah (voluntary charity) on behalf of its owner. In the case that the coat's owner appears afterwards, they should be told about the matter. If they approve of the Sadaqah, they will get the reward thereof. However, if the coat's owner disapproves of the Sadaqah; you have to give them the value of their coat after deducting the fee of the tailor and you will get the reward In sha’a-Allah (if Allah wills). Moreover, if the total value of the coat is given to the poor in Sadaqah; this will be better and you will be rewarded for what you have paid the tailor. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.