He took a sum upon seeing it fell from some person

Q 1: We would like to ask Your Eminence about someone who lost a sum of money. (Part No. 11; Page No. 220) Someone found the lost money, but he did not know to whom it belonged. He was overtaken by desire for money and spent it because he does not know its rightful owner. What should he do after two years have passed since that? Please give us your reply. May Allah reward you with the best.

A: The person who found the money must return it to its rightful owner if he is still alive. However, if the rightful owner is dead, he must give it to his heirs. If he fails to give it to its rightful owner or his heirs, he may give it in charity to the poor while intending to dedicate the reward to the rightful owner and making Tawbah (repentance to Allah) of that sin.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.