Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman A‘zami (رحمه الله)
The Ruling Regarding Someone Who Finds Property in a Non-Islamic Country
If a person finds a lost item in the land of Harbi disbelievers (non-Muslims who are in a state of war with Muslims), then he becomes its owner, and it is not necessary for him to make any announcement or attempt to identify the owner—as long as doing so does not result in any harm to him.
However, if the lost item is found in a land belonging to non-Harbi disbelievers (non-Muslims not at war with Muslims), then he should announce it in the same manner as is done for lost property found in Muslim lands.
[اللجنة الدائمة: 5512]
The Ruling Regarding Someone Who Finds Property in a Non-Islamic Country
If a person finds a lost item in the land of Harbi disbelievers (non-Muslims who are in a state of war with Muslims), then he becomes its owner, and it is not necessary for him to make any announcement or attempt to identify the owner—as long as doing so does not result in any harm to him.
However, if the lost item is found in a land belonging to non-Harbi disbelievers (non-Muslims not at war with Muslims), then he should announce it in the same manner as is done for lost property found in Muslim lands.
[اللجنة الدائمة: 5512]
