He found a bird made of copper and sold it
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Fatwa number ( 16269 )
Q: I found a lost item on the road; it was a bird made of copper, and this bird stands on a cross. One day, some people belonging to an antiquities company came. This company takes everything found of old things after the British and the Germans in World War I. Some of my brothers told me: selling this bird is not permissible; because it goes to the Christians and they worship the cross which is below the bird. But I was not convinced; because they did not bring evidence from the Book or from the Sunnah, and I sold this crown or this bird for a value in dirhams. Is there a sin on me for selling this crown or bird? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.
A: It is not permissible to pick up a lost item except for one who is known to be trustworthy and who keeps it for a year, in case he finds its owner. Otherwise, it belongs to him. But the lost item here - which is a bird made of
copper - is not respected property; so it was obligatory for you to destroy it, and it is not permissible for you to sell it; because it is a three-dimensional image of an animal with a soul. And you must therefore dispose of its value by giving it to the poor and the needy. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I found a lost item on the road; it was a bird made of copper, and this bird stands on a cross. One day, some people belonging to an antiquities company came. This company takes everything found of old things after the British and the Germans in World War I. Some of my brothers told me: selling this bird is not permissible; because it goes to the Christians and they worship the cross which is below the bird. But I was not convinced; because they did not bring evidence from the Book or from the Sunnah, and I sold this crown or this bird for a value in dirhams. Is there a sin on me for selling this crown or bird? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.
A: It is not permissible to pick up a lost item except for one who is known to be trustworthy and who keeps it for a year, in case he finds its owner. Otherwise, it belongs to him. But the lost item here - which is a bird made of
copper - is not respected property; so it was obligatory for you to destroy it, and it is not permissible for you to sell it; because it is a three-dimensional image of an animal with a soul. And you must therefore dispose of its value by giving it to the poor and the needy. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.