What should be done with the assets of a person who died leaving no heirs?

Answer

Such a person is termed Laa-waarith. His/her estate should be distributed to the Fuqara (Muslim poor). If the Laa-waarith has such poor relatives who do not inherit, they enjoy a prior right to his/her assets. Non-inheriting relatives are step-mothers, milk- relatives, step-children, wife's relatives, etc.