Rightful Heirs of Jewellery left in Safekeeping

QUESTION:

My late mother left her jewellery in my possession before her passing. I did not distribute it when she passed away, assuming that it was mine since it was given to me for safekeeping. My concern now is whether the jewellery is mine, or should it have been distributed between the heirs?

ANSWER:

We understand from the query that the jewellery was given to you in order to keep it safe, and not given to you in ownership. Hence, the jewellery will have to be distributed to amongst the heirs that you have mentioned in the query, according to the Islamic laws of inheritance.

 الوديعة  أمانة في يد الوديع (المجلة ص 148)

اذا مات المودع تسلم الوديعة لوارثه (المجلة ص 154)

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: 11 Shawwaal 1445 / 10 April 2025

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb