Using Found Money (Luqata) for the Mosque

Question

Can money that has been found be used for the mosque or not?

Answer

That is luqata (a found item): the owner should be searched for and it should be given to him. If he cannot be traced, then, after losing hope (of finding him), it should be given in charity (sadaqa) to a poor person. It should not be given to the mosque.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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