The questioner from al-Qasim also asks: If a person finds lost property outside the Haram, and he does not want to announce it, should he take it or give it in charity to its owner?
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The questioner : The questioner from al-Qasim also asks: If a person finds lost property outside the Haram, and he does not want to announce it, should he take it or give it in charity to its owner, or leave it in its place? And if he leaves it, a child might come and take it, and it would be lost from its owner?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible to pick up lost property if one does not intend to announce it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Rather, it is obligatory to pick it up to announce it and keep it safe for its owner. In that case, we say: if he does not want to announce it, let him leave it. Perhaps its owner will come and find it, or perhaps someone else will take it and announce it, or perhaps a child will come and destroy it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : All these possibilities exist, and his conscience is clear if he leaves it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So let him leave it and not take it if he does not want to announce it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Also, his last question says...
The Shaykh : But.
The questioner : I hear.
The Shaykh : Here is something we should know: a small amount of money that people do not care about is permissible for a person to take for himself, provided he does not know its owner. If he knows the owner, he takes it and returns it to him.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : I mean, like ten or five riyals, or items of equivalent value. If a person takes such a thing for himself, he may do so, provided he does not know its owner. If he knows the owner, he takes it and hands it to him, even if it is a small amount.
The questioner : But if he gives it in charity, is that not better?
The Shaykh : And he knows its owner?
The questioner : No, he does not know its owner.
The Shaykh : No, if he gives it in charity, that is better. Even if he gave something from his own wealth in charity.
The questioner : No, I mean, because that reward will go to its owner.
The Shaykh : Do you mean you intend to give it in charity to its owner?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is a matter for consideration, but if he gives it in charity with the intention that he is doing a favor to its owner, there is no harm. There is no obstacle. This counts as doing good.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible to pick up lost property if one does not intend to announce it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Rather, it is obligatory to pick it up to announce it and keep it safe for its owner. In that case, we say: if he does not want to announce it, let him leave it. Perhaps its owner will come and find it, or perhaps someone else will take it and announce it, or perhaps a child will come and destroy it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : All these possibilities exist, and his conscience is clear if he leaves it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So let him leave it and not take it if he does not want to announce it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Also, his last question says...
The Shaykh : But.
The questioner : I hear.
The Shaykh : Here is something we should know: a small amount of money that people do not care about is permissible for a person to take for himself, provided he does not know its owner. If he knows the owner, he takes it and returns it to him.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : I mean, like ten or five riyals, or items of equivalent value. If a person takes such a thing for himself, he may do so, provided he does not know its owner. If he knows the owner, he takes it and hands it to him, even if it is a small amount.
The questioner : But if he gives it in charity, is that not better?
The Shaykh : And he knows its owner?
The questioner : No, he does not know its owner.
The Shaykh : No, if he gives it in charity, that is better. Even if he gave something from his own wealth in charity.
The questioner : No, I mean, because that reward will go to its owner.
The Shaykh : Do you mean you intend to give it in charity to its owner?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is a matter for consideration, but if he gives it in charity with the intention that he is doing a favor to its owner, there is no harm. There is no obstacle. This counts as doing good.
The questioner : Yes.