Answer:
(Fatwa: 866/1159=H/1429)
(1)It is better to wait for one more month i.e. if two months have passed by and you yourself tried to find out its owner and also you made others find out the owner, then you should give that amount to any poor.
(2)It is also good to stick notice outside of the mosque, not inside the mosque, in order to find out the owner of the money. Moreover, you can adopt any means you like for announcement.
(3)In the abovementioned case, you may give the money to any poor with any further waiting. It is up to you whether to give it to one poor man or more than one, whether they are men or women.
(4)It is also right to give that money to any poor and make him possess it if he asks for loan.
(5)There is no problem to do so.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband
