What is the ruling on taking and using watches belonging to deceased persons and ambulance patients, which no one has inquired about for ten years, knowing that they are of little value?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Watches that have remained for more than ten years without being inquired about are considered to be in the same category as property whose owner cannot be identified. It is permissible for the possessor to give them away in charity on behalf of their owner. If the owner appears later, they have the choice between ratifying the charity, or taking an equivalent item, or its value. The reward for the charity goes to the one who gave it. If these watches are insignificant, such that their owners would not be expected to search for them, then the finder may benefit from them without needing to publicize them.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/80030
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 80030
- 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