A Shia woman’s jewellery was stolen, then she died leaving no heir: where should it be spent

Question

A man stole some jewellery from a woman of the Shia school. That woman passed away. He was keeping this jewellery with the idea of having an imambara (a Shia hall for mourning gatherings) built with it or spending it on some religious work. The deceased also left no heir. After her death fear arose in the thief’s heart, and now he wants to spend the money from this jewellery in such a place as would become a means of reward for its owner.

Answer

If this woman has no heir of any kind, near or distant, then that money should be given as sadaqa to the poor; destitute students are also eligible, and it may also be given to widows, orphans and the disabled. It should not be spent on the construction of a mosque, a madrasa, a road, etc., or on any salary whatsoever.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.