What is the ruling of Islamic law on excavating money hidden underground and exposed to damage, and using it for charitable purposes?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If it is known that this money is not from pre-Islamic burials, then it is considered a lost-and-found item (luqata), and its owners must be sought. If they are identified, it should be given to them. If they are not known, it is obligatory to publicize it for a year in public gatherings and local newspapers. Whoever comes and describes it accurately, it should be given to them. If its owner is not identified after the publicizing period, then you may possess it or spend it on charitable causes, with the guarantee to its owner if they are found later.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/91102
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 91102
- 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