Finding pieces of gold, taking them, and selling them while unaware that they are a forbidden lost item
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Fatwa number ( 21204 )
Q: A man went to Makkah, and while he was there, on one day he found
a collection of gold pieces, so he took them and sold them and benefited from their price. He was unaware of the ruling regarding lost items in Makkah, and now, after learning the ruling, he regrets it and wants to repent and clear his conscience of what happened. How can he do this? Knowing that many years have passed since the incident. May Allah benefit Islam and the Muslims through you, amen.
A: The action of the aforementioned man was an error; because a lost item in the Haram is not permissible except for one who announces it; that is, the one who calls out about it until its owner is found. Now, since what happened from the man due to his ignorance has occurred, it is obligatory for him to give charity with its current value to the needy among the poor in the Haram, with the intention that the reward belongs to its owner, along with repentance to Allah the Exalted. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: A man went to Makkah, and while he was there, on one day he found
a collection of gold pieces, so he took them and sold them and benefited from their price. He was unaware of the ruling regarding lost items in Makkah, and now, after learning the ruling, he regrets it and wants to repent and clear his conscience of what happened. How can he do this? Knowing that many years have passed since the incident. May Allah benefit Islam and the Muslims through you, amen.
A: The action of the aforementioned man was an error; because a lost item in the Haram is not permissible except for one who announces it; that is, the one who calls out about it until its owner is found. Now, since what happened from the man due to his ignorance has occurred, it is obligatory for him to give charity with its current value to the needy among the poor in the Haram, with the intention that the reward belongs to its owner, along with repentance to Allah the Exalted. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.