Ruling on Lost Property in the Sacred Precinct

Question: What is the ruling on lost property in the Sacred Precinct? Is it permissible to give it to the poor? Or to spend it on building a mosque, for example?
Answer: It is obligatory for the one who finds lost property in the Sacred Precinct not to donate it to a mosque, nor give it to the poor or anyone else. Rather, he must announce it in the Sacred Precinct in the gathering places of people, saying: “Who is the owner of these dirhams? Who is the owner of this gold? Who is the owner of such-and-such?” This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): And in another narration: It is he who announces it. The same applies to the Sacred Precinct of Madinah. If he leaves it in its place, there is no harm. If he hands it over to the official committee to which the state has entrusted the custody of lost property, his conscience is clear.