Is the lost property permissible to take after announcing it for a year?
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Question:
This questioner asks: Is it permissible to benefit from and take lost property after announcing it for a full year, or is it not?
Answer:
Yes, if one finds lost property, such as coins or goods, and announces it for a full year, it becomes permissible for him and becomes part of his wealth, provided it is not claimed. If he announces it for a full year and it is not claimed, it becomes like the rest of his wealth, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed us. He commanded that whoever finds lost property should announce it for a year. If it is claimed, it is returned; otherwise, it is his, like the rest of his wealth. He should announce it twice, three, or four times each month in the gathering places of people, asking: "Who is the owner of this lost property? Who is the owner of these coins? Who is the owner of these pounds? Who is the owner of these clothes? Who is the owner of these vessels? Who is the owner of this sheep? Who is the owner of this goat?" He should describe it and conceal some of its characteristics until the one who knows its specific features comes. If the one who knows its specific features comes, he gives it to him. If the year passes and no one comes, he owns it, except if it is lost property from the Sacred Precinct. No, lost property from the Sacred Precinct is not owned. Likewise, lost property from the city of Madinah is not owned. As for lost property other than the two Sacred Precincts, it is owned if it is announced for a year.
As for camels, no, camels and cattle are not owned, meaning: he continues to announce them, because they have their young, they return to water and eat the trees. But if the lost property is from sheep, or from money, or from goods such as clothes and vessels, there is no harm in announcing it for a full year in places other than the two Sacred Precincts. If it is claimed, it is returned; otherwise, it is his, if he announces it twice, three, or four times each month, meaning: he strives to announce it until he clears his conscience. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, O Shaykh.
This questioner asks: Is it permissible to benefit from and take lost property after announcing it for a full year, or is it not?
Answer:
Yes, if one finds lost property, such as coins or goods, and announces it for a full year, it becomes permissible for him and becomes part of his wealth, provided it is not claimed. If he announces it for a full year and it is not claimed, it becomes like the rest of his wealth, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed us. He commanded that whoever finds lost property should announce it for a year. If it is claimed, it is returned; otherwise, it is his, like the rest of his wealth. He should announce it twice, three, or four times each month in the gathering places of people, asking: "Who is the owner of this lost property? Who is the owner of these coins? Who is the owner of these pounds? Who is the owner of these clothes? Who is the owner of these vessels? Who is the owner of this sheep? Who is the owner of this goat?" He should describe it and conceal some of its characteristics until the one who knows its specific features comes. If the one who knows its specific features comes, he gives it to him. If the year passes and no one comes, he owns it, except if it is lost property from the Sacred Precinct. No, lost property from the Sacred Precinct is not owned. Likewise, lost property from the city of Madinah is not owned. As for lost property other than the two Sacred Precincts, it is owned if it is announced for a year.
As for camels, no, camels and cattle are not owned, meaning: he continues to announce them, because they have their young, they return to water and eat the trees. But if the lost property is from sheep, or from money, or from goods such as clothes and vessels, there is no harm in announcing it for a full year in places other than the two Sacred Precincts. If it is claimed, it is returned; otherwise, it is his, if he announces it twice, three, or four times each month, meaning: he strives to announce it until he clears his conscience. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, O Shaykh.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.