Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Hazrat Zaid bin Khalid (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about lost property. He (peace be upon him) said: Announce it for one year; if the owner comes, fine, otherwise use it yourself.

A person asked Hazrat Ummul Momineen Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) that if someone finds a whip, what should he do? She (may Allah be pleased with her) replied: There is no harm in it, a Muslim’s hand has reached it. He asked: What if someone finds a shoe? She (may Allah be pleased with her) replied: He may use the shoe as well. He asked: What about a utensil? She (may Allah be pleased with her) replied: What Allah has made unlawful should not be made lawful. The rulings of lost property (luqatah) apply to utensils.

It is narrated from Hazrat Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) found a date. He (peace be upon him) said: If this were not from charity, I would have eaten it.

Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) found a date and he ate it.

Hazrat Sufyan, Hazrat Mansur, and Ibrahim (may Allah have mercy on them) permitted the use of found items such as dates, a stick, and a whip.

Hazrat Ata (may Allah have mercy on him) says that if these things are found in lost property, then there is no harm in using them.

Hazrat Basheer permitted the use of a found item (luqtah) valued at less than five dirhams.

Hazrat Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) says that if you yourself are in need, then eat it (make use of it).

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) used to permit the picking up of a lost dirham.

Hazrat Abu Razeen (may Allah have mercy on him) says that if I found a lost item and I was in need, I would eat it.

Hazrat Maymunah (may Allah be pleased with her) found a date, so she (may Allah be pleased with her) ate it and said: Indeed, Allah Almighty does not like corruption.

Hazrat Mas'ar narrates from a Sheikh who says: I saw Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) find a date, he cleaned it and gave it to a poor person to eat.

Hazrat Maisarah bin Umeirah met Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him). He inquired, "What do you say regarding lost property (luqata)?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, "Which type of lost property do you mean?" He replied, "A rope, a bridle, etc." He (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Announce it for one year; if the owner is found, return it to him, otherwise you may use it."

Hazrat Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) says that if he is needy, he will use it himself.

Hazrat Salim bin Abdullah was asked about a lost camel. He replied that it has its hooves and its musk-bag with it (meaning it does not need water and can travel long distances on its own). meaning it does not need water and can travel long distances on its own). Therefore, leave it alone. However, if you know its owner, then give it to him. Then the narrator says, I asked about a lost goat. He, may Allah have mercy on him, replied: Make it known. If the owner comes, that is better; otherwise, it is either for you, for one of your brothers, or for the wolf.

It is narrated from Hazrat Amr bin Shu'aib (may Allah be pleased with him) that a man asked the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about a lost goat. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It is either for you, or for your brother, or for the wolf." He then inquired about a lost camel. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "What do you want from it? It has its water-skin and its sandals with it. It will eat from the pasture and go to the water."

Al-Qamah narrated from Al-Aswad that he heard Aliyyah say that I was present in the service of Umm Al-Mu'minin Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) when a woman came and said, "O Mother of the Believers! I have found a stray goat. What is your command? What should I do with it?" She (may Allah be pleased with her) replied, "Make its announcement, milk its milk, and feed it fodder." Then she came again and asked the question. Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said, "Are you asking me in the hope that I will command you to slaughter or sell it? This is not permissible for you."

Bint Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with her) said that I found a ring on the road to Makkah Al-Mukarramah. I asked Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) about it. She (may Allah be pleased with her) replied: Benefit from it.

Hazrat Zaid bin Jubair (may Allah have mercy on him) says that I was sitting in the company of Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) when a man came and said that he had found a lost animal. He (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Tend to it and make it beneficial, and publicize it. The man asked: If I milk it and consume the milk, am I liable? Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: In my opinion, there is no liability upon you.

Hazrat Ata says that the traveler has been permitted that if he finds a whip, a staff, and shoes, he may use them.

Hazrat Badr narrates that during the caliphate of Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), I found eighty dinars. I brought them to Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). He said, "Announce it for one year." I asked, "What if the owner is still not found?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Then benefit from it."