What is permitted of lost property

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Zayd bin Khalid (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about a found item (luqatah). He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Announce it for one year. If the owner comes, well and good; otherwise spend it yourself."

A man asked Sayyidah Umm Salamah, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her): "A person finds a whip?" She (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "There is no harm in it; a Muslim extends his hand with it." He asked: "He finds a shoe?" She (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "The shoe too (he may use it)." He asked: "A container?" She (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "What Allah has forbidden will not be made lawful. The rulings of a found item (luqatah) apply to the container."

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

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

Ibrahim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: They used to permit using a leather strap, a staff and a whip found as lost items.

Ata (may Allah have mercy on him) said: If a leather strap, a staff or a whip is found as a lost item, there is no harm in using them.

Bashir used to permit using a found item (luqatah) worth about 5 dirhams.

Al-Hasan said: If he himself is in need, let him eat it (use it).

Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to permit a found item (luqatah) of one dirham.

Abu Razin (may Allah have mercy on him) said: If I found a lost item (luqatah) while I was in need, I would eat it.

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

Mis'ar narrates from a shaykh, who said: I saw Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both). He found a date, cleaned it and fed it to a poor person.

Maysarah bin Umayrah met Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) and asked: "What do you (may Allah be pleased with him) say about a found item (luqatah)?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: "Which found item is meant?" He replied: "A rope, a rein and the like." He (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Announce it. If you find the owner, return it to him; otherwise use it."

Al-Hasan said: If he is in need, he may use it himself.

Salim bin Abdullah was asked about a stray camel. He said: "It has its hooves and its water-skin with it (that is, it does not need water and can travel far on its hooves). So leave it. But if you know its owner, give it to him." The narrator then said: I asked about a stray goat. He (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Announce it. If the owner comes, that is best; otherwise it is either for you, or for your brother, or for the wolf."

It is narrated from Amr bin Shu'ayb that a man asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about a stray goat. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It is either for you, or for your brother, or for the wolf." He asked about a stray camel. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "What do you want with it? It has its water-skin and its shoe with it. It will eat from the pasture and go to the water."

Al-Aliyah said: I was with Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) when a woman came and said: "O Mother of the Believers! I have found a stray goat. What do you (may Allah be pleased with her) command me to do with it?" She (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "Announce it, milk it and feed it fodder." Then she came again and asked. Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "Are you asking me in the hope that I will command you to slaughter it or sell it? That is not permissible for you."

Salma (the narrator said: I think she can only be the daughter of Ka'b) (may Allah have mercy on her) said: I found a ring on the road to Makkah, and I asked Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her). She (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "Benefit from it."

Zayd bin Jubayr (may Allah have mercy on him) said: I was sitting with Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) when a man came and said: "I have found a stray animal." He (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Take good care of it and announce it." He asked: "If I use its milk, am I liable?" Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "I do not think there is anything upon you for that."

Ata said: A traveller was given permission, if he finds a whip, a staff or a pair of shoes, to use them.

Abdullah bin Badr said: In the time of the caliphate of Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) I found 80 dinars. I brought them to Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), and he (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Announce them for one year." I said: "And if the owner is still not found?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Then benefit from them."