But regarding the current situation, if the one who wants to benefit from it leaves it, the Municipality of Makkah al-Mukarramah takes it to places for either burning or
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The questioner : But regarding the current situation, if the one who wants to benefit from it leaves it, and the Municipality of Makkah al-Mukarramah takes it to places for either burning or burial, it is known that the cleaning workers will not store such things?
The Shaykh : We say.
The questioner : It is lost to Muslims in general?
The Shaykh : As we mentioned.
The questioner : Yes?
The Shaykh : That it is not taken except in two ways:
The first way: by the state, and the state here disposes of it according to what the Shari'ah requires. For example, if these leftovers that the Municipality takes are of a kind that can be used, it is not permissible to destroy them; rather, it is obligatory to preserve them. They are sold and the proceeds are spent on the interests of Muslims, or they are given to the poor who can benefit from them.
As for if it cannot be used, as if the leftover is a single sandal from a pair, then it cannot be used and is burned or buried. The important thing is that the person responsible for this matter on behalf of the state must not waste the wealth. If it is of a kind that can be used, it is sold and its price is spent on the public interest or according to what the view of the one in authority requires; otherwise, it is given as charity in its physical form to those who can benefit from it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
The questioner : And mostly, the pilgrims, as we have known from observing them and also from the extensive mixing with them, leave these items because they are not worth the cost of transporting them to their countries. Generally, they would carry them on their backs and shoulders, so they leave them for this...
The Shaykh : In any case, if they leave them out of desire to be rid of them, we have mentioned that it is permissible for the one who finds them to take them, and they become his property.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : We say.
The questioner : It is lost to Muslims in general?
The Shaykh : As we mentioned.
The questioner : Yes?
The Shaykh : That it is not taken except in two ways:
The first way: by the state, and the state here disposes of it according to what the Shari'ah requires. For example, if these leftovers that the Municipality takes are of a kind that can be used, it is not permissible to destroy them; rather, it is obligatory to preserve them. They are sold and the proceeds are spent on the interests of Muslims, or they are given to the poor who can benefit from them.
As for if it cannot be used, as if the leftover is a single sandal from a pair, then it cannot be used and is burned or buried. The important thing is that the person responsible for this matter on behalf of the state must not waste the wealth. If it is of a kind that can be used, it is sold and its price is spent on the public interest or according to what the view of the one in authority requires; otherwise, it is given as charity in its physical form to those who can benefit from it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
The questioner : And mostly, the pilgrims, as we have known from observing them and also from the extensive mixing with them, leave these items because they are not worth the cost of transporting them to their countries. Generally, they would carry them on their backs and shoulders, so they leave them for this...
The Shaykh : In any case, if they leave them out of desire to be rid of them, we have mentioned that it is permissible for the one who finds them to take them, and they become his property.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.