Is it permissible for a debtor

Q: One of my brothers died (may Allah be merciful to him) more than one year ago. He used to work in a military body. After his death, I found a sheet of paper in which he had written his debts. One of these debts was a sum of 3,500 riyal which he had written in front of it: "for a number of people". My deceased brother did not specify the names of these people. I paid back all his debts and distrained from his estate the sum mentioned above. I asked all his colleagues but none claimed the money. Afterwards, I asked them (Part No. 13; Page No. 179) to tell all the other people at the place of their work. I asked them to inform the military sector about the matter. I asked them that whoever may actually claim the money should inform me or my deceased brother's cousin who works at the same sector. More than one year passed but no body claimed the money. Please provide me with your beneficial answer. Should I give this sum of money back to the inheritors or what should I do with it? May Allah reward and protect you. Please issue an official answer for me for I act as a Shar`y (Islamic legal) representative for the inheritors who include some who are under aged. May Allah safeguard you.

A: In case the matter is exactly as you have mentioned, you have to pay this sum of money to some Faqirs (poor people) as a Sadaqah (voluntary charity) on behalf of those to whom this money is due. The forgoing will discharge your brother In sha’a-Allah (if Allah wills) and be a source of reward for all. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.