The ruling on one who finds money and does not know its ruling due to ignorance

Question:
From al-Jabail, the listener 'Abd al-Rahman Khalaf al-Humaid sent a message containing a collection of questions. In one of them, he says: One of my friends found a sum of five hundred Saudi riyals about a year ago without knowing the ruling on lost property. When he learned that he was required to announce it, and he now wants to repent, what should he do to atone for this sin? Is he excused due to his ignorance and should he seek forgiveness, or what is required of him? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
It is prescribed for him to announce it for a full year, even if the period is long, saying: "Whoever has dirhams that were lost from him in such-and-such a place in such-and-such a year." Perhaps its owner will mention it in gatherings of people in places where people gather, at the doors of mosques, or in markets where people congregate: "Whoever has dirhams that were lost from him in such-and-such a place in such-and-such a year." If a year passes and it is not claimed, he should give it in charity in the causes of righteousness, giving it to the poor; because he neglected his right to possess it by delaying the announcement. However, if he announced it during its year and it was not claimed, it becomes his property. As for if he neglected... and was lax in announcing it for a year, if it is not claimed, it is to be spent in the causes of righteousness and good deeds as charity for its owner. Yes.

The presenter : May Allah reward you with good and do you good.