The lost item must be announced even after it has been disposed of
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question: The questioner says: For a long time I was herding sheep, and some goats came among our sheep. I and a shepherd with me slaughtered them and ate them. Then we searched for their owner to give him their price, but we did not find him. Their price at that time reached 25 Sudanese pounds. How do you guide us now? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer: You and your partner must give charity with their value, intending it for their owner, if the period has been long. However, if the period was short, you must announce it for a full year; you say: "Who is the owner of the goats? Who is the owner of the goats?" perhaps it will be recognized. So if someone recognizes it, give them its value. And if it is not recognized, you owe nothing.
As for if the period was long and the time for announcing it has passed, and its owner has forgotten it, or left the place, or something similar, the most cautious course for you and your partner is to give charity with its value, intending it for its owner.
As for if it is possible to announce it for a full year, perhaps its owner will recognize it, then announce it for a full year in the gatherings of people. You say: "Who is the owner of the goats? Who is the owner of the goats that were found in such and such a place?" perhaps it will be recognized. If it is recognized, you give him the value if he asks for it. And if he waives it, there is no harm, and you and your partner owe nothing.
As for if the period was long and a long time has passed, it is most likely that its owner is not present, and announcing it is not required in that case; so give charity with its price, intending it for its owner. And if you announce it as a precaution, perhaps he will recognize it, this is also more complete, better, and more cautious.
Answer: You and your partner must give charity with their value, intending it for their owner, if the period has been long. However, if the period was short, you must announce it for a full year; you say: "Who is the owner of the goats? Who is the owner of the goats?" perhaps it will be recognized. So if someone recognizes it, give them its value. And if it is not recognized, you owe nothing.
As for if the period was long and the time for announcing it has passed, and its owner has forgotten it, or left the place, or something similar, the most cautious course for you and your partner is to give charity with its value, intending it for its owner.
As for if it is possible to announce it for a full year, perhaps its owner will recognize it, then announce it for a full year in the gatherings of people. You say: "Who is the owner of the goats? Who is the owner of the goats that were found in such and such a place?" perhaps it will be recognized. If it is recognized, you give him the value if he asks for it. And if he waives it, there is no harm, and you and your partner owe nothing.
As for if the period was long and a long time has passed, it is most likely that its owner is not present, and announcing it is not required in that case; so give charity with its price, intending it for its owner. And if you announce it as a precaution, perhaps he will recognize it, this is also more complete, better, and more cautious.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.