Money found that does not attract the attention of the middle class
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The second question of Fatwa number ( 17290 )
Q2: If a person finds a small amount of money, which is neither gold nor silver, but just a little money, is he required to wait for a year and search for its owner, or may he use it considering it to be a small amount of money ?
If the amount of money found is such that it attracts the attention of the middle class, then it is obligatory for him to identify its distinguishing features and announce it in places where people gather for one year, at appropriate times for announcing, two or three times each month. If the year passes and no one comes forward, he may take possession of it, provided it was not picked up in the Makkah Haram; because the lost property of the Makkah Haram cannot be owned through announcement, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the Haram : . As for what does not attract the attention of the middle class, he owns it from the moment he picks it up, and he is not required to announce it. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q2: If a person finds a small amount of money, which is neither gold nor silver, but just a little money, is he required to wait for a year and search for its owner, or may he use it considering it to be a small amount of money ?
If the amount of money found is such that it attracts the attention of the middle class, then it is obligatory for him to identify its distinguishing features and announce it in places where people gather for one year, at appropriate times for announcing, two or three times each month. If the year passes and no one comes forward, he may take possession of it, provided it was not picked up in the Makkah Haram; because the lost property of the Makkah Haram cannot be owned through announcement, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the Haram :
Its lost property is not lawful except for one who knows it, and if its owner comes later, you hand it over to him
لا تحل ساقطته إلا لمعرف، وإن جاء صاحبه فيما بعد دفعت إليه
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.