Is it permissible to pay the value of an electronic device that cannot be returned, and donate its price to the poor or place it in the mosque with the intention of its owner?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
You must search for the owner of the device to return it to him. If you are unable to find him after making an effort and have despaired of locating him, then give its value in charity on his behalf. If you find him later, give him the choice between approving the charity and receiving its reward, or that you return the value of the device to him and the charity becomes yours. It is permissible to take ownership of the device while giving out its value if the owner cannot be reached.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/156275
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 156275
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy