Topic: Ruling on Goods Fallen from Traders’ Vehicles on the Road
✿ Context and Ruling
It is often observed that items such as a carton of utensils, a crate of fruits, or similar goods fall from traders’ vehicles on the road. If a person comes across such an item, it will be considered “luqta” (lost property), because it is a lost possession of its owner, and luqta applies to such items.
✿ What Should One Do?
① If the person believes he has the ability to announce it publicly, he may pick it up and make an announcement regarding it.
② If the item is perishable (like fruits) which cannot last for a year, then he should describe its characteristics, announce them, and sell the item.
➤ The sale amount should be safely kept.
➤ If the owner comes forward, the amount belongs to the owner.
③ If the person does not trust himself to continue making announcements for a year or knows he will not be able to fulfill this obligation, then he should leave the item where it is.
Source:
[Ibn ʿUthaymīn: Liqāʾ al-Bāb al-Maftūḥ 14/127]
