Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Ibn Abi Najeeh that a person inquired: If someone is entrusted with a deposit and he invests it in trade, what should be done? Hazrat Ata (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Whatever profit is gained will go to the owner of the wealth. And Hazrat Mujahid (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Neither the owner of the wealth nor the trustee will receive it; rather, it will go to the poor.

Hasan (may Allah have mercy on him) said that do not invest the property held in trust in business without the permission of its owner; if someone does so without permission, he will be held liable, and whatever profit is gained from it will belong to the owner.

Ibrahim, may Allah have mercy on him, says regarding trust (amanah) that there will be no liability for it until he moves it from its place or changes it from its condition. If he changes it from its condition and gains some profit from it, then he should give the profit in charity; it will not belong to any of them.

Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) was asked about the wealth of an orphan. He replied that until it is returned, it remains guaranteed (liable for compensation). It was asked whether there is any profit in it. He replied: Do whatever you wish with the profit, but the orphan's wealth will remain guaranteed (liable for compensation) until it is returned.

Ibrahim (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about a person who has the wealth of orphans; can he use it in trade? He (may Allah have mercy on him) replied: If he does so without their permission, he will be liable, and any profit gained from it should be given in charity.