Fatwa No. (18696) Q: One day, while I was checking our livestock, I found a male goat that did not belong to us. I announced it for a full year, and no one came forward.
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Fatwa No. ( 18696 )
Q: One day, while I was checking our livestock, I found a male goat that did not belong to us. I announced it for a full year, and no one came forward, I ask your Eminence for a ruling on what we should do with it?
A: It is prescribed for the finder of lost sheep to take them; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) when asked about lost sheep:Sahih al-Bukhari 2438 . The one who takes them must describe their characteristics and announce them in the gathering places of people for a full year. After that, he has the choice: either to sell them and keep the price, or to slaughter them and eat them. Then, if the owner comes and describes them by their characteristics, he pays him the price; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Sahih Muslim 1725 narrated by Muslim in (his Sahih). And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: One day, while I was checking our livestock, I found a male goat that did not belong to us. I announced it for a full year, and no one came forward, I ask your Eminence for a ruling on what we should do with it?
A: It is prescribed for the finder of lost sheep to take them; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) when asked about lost sheep:
It is for you, for your brother, or for the wolf.
هي لك أو لأخيك أو للذئبHe who found a stray article is himself led astray if he does not advertise it.
من آوى ضالة فهو ضال ما لم يعرفها
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.