Suwayd ibn Ghaflah said: I fought along with Zayd ibn Suhan and Sulayman ibn Rabiah. I found a whip. They said to me: Throw it away. I said: No; if I find its owner (I shall give it to him); if not, I shall use it. Then I performed hajj; and when I reached Madina, I asked Ubayy ibn Kab. He said: I found a purse which contained one hundred dinars; so I came to the Prophet ﷺ. He said to me: Make the matter known for a year. I made it known for a year and then came to him. He then said to me: Make the matter known for a year. So I made it known for a year. I then (again) came to him. He said to me: Make the matter known for a year. Then I came to him and said: I did not find anyone who realises it. He said: Remember, its number, its container and its tie. If its owner comes, (give it to him), otherwise use it yourself. He (the narrator Shubah) said: I do not know whether he said the word "make the matter known" three times or once.

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏أَخْبَرَنَا شُعْبَةُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ كُهَيْلٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ سُوَيْدِ بْنِ غَفَلَةَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ غَزَوْتُ مَعَ زَيْدِ بْنِ صُوحَانَ وَ سَلْمَانَ بْنِ رَبِيعَةَ فَوَجَدْتُ سَوْطًا، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَقَالَا لِيَ:‏‏‏‏ اطْرَحْهُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَقُلْتُ:‏‏‏‏ لَا، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَلَكِنْ إِنْ وَجَدْتُ صَاحِبَهُ وَإِلَّا اسْتَمْتَعْتُ بِهِ فَحَجَجْتُ فَمَرَرْتُ عَلَى الْمَدِينَةِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَسَأَلْتُ أُبَيَّ بْنَ كَعْبٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَقَالَ:‏‏‏‏ وَجَدْتُ صُرَّةً فِيهَا مِائَةُ دِينَارٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَأَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَقَالَ:‏‏‏‏ "عَرِّفْهَا حَوْلًا"، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَعَرَّفْتُهَا حَوْلًا ثُمَّ أَتَيْتُهُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَقَالَ:‏‏‏‏ "عَرِّفْهَا حَوْلًا"، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَعَرَّفْتُهَا حَوْلًا ثُمَّ أَتَيْتُهُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَقَالَ:‏‏‏‏ "عَرِّفْهَا حَوْلًا"، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَعَرَّفْتُهَا حَوْلًا ثُمَّ أَتَيْتُهُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَقُلْتُ:‏‏‏‏ لَمْ أَجِدْ مَنْ يَعْرِفُهَا، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَقَالَ:‏‏‏‏ "احْفَظْ عَدَدَهَا وَوِكَاءَهَا وَوِعَاءَهَا فَإِنْ جَاءَ صَاحِبُهَا وَإِلَّا فَاسْتَمْتِعْ بِهَا"، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَقَالَ:‏‏‏‏ وَلَا أَدْرِي أَثَلَاثًا قَالَ عَرِّفْهَا أَوْ مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً.

The above mentioned tradition has also been transmitted by Salamah. Bin Kuhail through a different chain to the same effect. The version has ; about making the matter known he said ; “ two years or three. ” He said: Remember its number, its container and its string. The version adds: If its owner comes, and tells its number and its string, then give it to him. Abu Dawud said: None of the narrators said this word in this tradition except Hammad ; That is, “ If he tells its number. ”

حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏حَدَّثَنَا سَلَمَةُ بْنُ كُهَيْلٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏بِإِسْنَادِهِ وَمَعْنَاهُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قَالَ فِي التَّعْرِيفِ:‏‏‏‏ "قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ عَامَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلَاثَةً، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَقَالَ:‏‏‏‏ اعْرِفْ عَدَدَهَا وَوِعَاءَهَا وَوِكَاءَهَا"، ‏‏‏‏‏‏زَادَ:‏‏‏‏ "فَإِنْ جَاءَ صَاحِبُهَا فَعَرَفَ عَدَدَهَا وَوِكَاءَهَا فَادْفَعْهَا إِلَيْهِ". قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ:‏‏‏‏ لَيْسَ يَقُولُ هَذِهِ الْكَلِمَةَ إِلَّا حَمَّادٌ فِي هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏يَعْنِي فَعَرَفَ عَدَدَهَا.

Zaid bin Khalid al-Juhani said: A man asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about a find. He said: Make the matter known for a year, then note its string and its container and then use it for your purpose. Then if its owner comes, give it to him. He asked: Messenger of Allah, what about a stray sheep? He replied: Take it; that is for you, or for your brother, or for the wolf. He again asked: Messenger of Allah, What about stray camels? The Messenger of Allah ﷺ became angry so much so that his cheeks became red or ( the narrator is doubtful) his face became red. He replied: What have you to do with them? They have with them their feet and their stomachs (for drink) till their master comes to him.

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ يَزِيدَ مَوْلَى الْمُنْبَعِثِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْزَيْدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏أَنَّ رَجُلًا سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنِ اللُّقَطَةِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ "عَرِّفْهَا سَنَةً، ‏‏‏‏‏‏ثُمَّ اعْرِفْ وِكَاءَهَا وَعِفَاصَهَا، ‏‏‏‏‏‏ثُمَّ اسْتَنْفِقْ بِهَا فَإِنْ جَاءَ رَبُّهَا فَأَدِّهَا إِلَيْهِ"، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَقَالَ:‏‏‏‏ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَضَالَّةُ الْغَنَمِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَقَالَ:‏‏‏‏ "خُذْهَا فَإِنَّمَا هِيَ لَكَ أَوْ لِأَخِيكَ أَوْ لِلذِّئْبِ"، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَضَالَّةُ الْإِبِلِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَغَضِبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حَتَّى احْمَرَّتْ وَجْنَتَاهُ أَوِ احْمَرَّ وَجْهُهُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَقَالَ:‏‏‏‏ "مَا لَكَ وَلَهَا مَعَهَا حِذَاؤُهَا وَسِقَاؤُهَا حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهَا رَبُّهَا".

The above mentioned tradition has also been transmitted by Malik through a different chain of narrators to the same effect. This version adds: They have their stomachs: They can go down to water and eat trees. He did not say about the stray sheep: take it. About a find he said: Make it known for a year; if it’s owner comes, (give it to him), otherwise use it yourself. This version has not the word: “ spend it”. Abu Dawud said: This tradition has been narrated by al-Thawri, Sulaiman bin Bilal, and Hammad bin Salamah on the authority of Rabi ‘ ah in a similar manner. They did not mention the word “take it”.

حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ السَّرْحِ،‏‏‏‏حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏أَخْبَرَنِي مَالِكٌ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏بِإِسْنَادِهِ وَمَعْنَاهُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏زَادَ:‏‏‏‏ "سِقَاؤُهَا تَرِدُ الْمَاءَ وَتَأْكُلُ الشَّجَرَ"، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَلَمْ يَقُلْ:‏‏‏‏ خُذْهَا فِي ضَالَّةِ الشَّاءِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَقَالَ فِي اللُّقَطَةِ:‏‏‏‏ "عَرِّفْهَا سَنَةً فَإِنْ جَاءَ صَاحِبُهَا وَإِلَّا فَشَأْنُكَ بِهَا"، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَلَمْ يَذْكُرْ:‏‏‏‏ اسْتَنْفِقْ. قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُد:‏‏‏‏ رَوَاهُ الثَّوْرِيُّ وَ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ بِلَالٍ وَ حَمَّادُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ رَبِيعَةَ مِثْلَهُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏لَمْ يَقُولُوا:‏‏‏‏ خُذْهَا.

Narrated Zayd ibn Khalid al-Juhani: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about a find. He said: Make it known for a year. If its seeker comes, deliver it to him, otherwise note its container and its string. Then use it; if its seeker comes, deliver it to him.

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَهَارُونُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْمَعْنَى، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قَالَا:‏‏‏‏ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي فُدَيْكٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ الضَّحَّاكِ يَعْنِي ابْنَ عُثْمَانَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ سَالِمٍ أَبِي النَّضْرِ،‏‏‏‏عَنْ بُسْرِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏أَنّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ سُئِلَ عَنِ اللُّقَطَةِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَقَالَ:‏‏‏‏ "عَرِّفْهَا سَنَةً فَإِنْ جَاءَ بَاغِيهَا فَأَدِّهَا إِلَيْهِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَإِلَّا فَاعْرِفْ عِفَاصَهَا وَوِكَاءَهَا ثُمَّ كُلْهَا فَإِنْ جَاءَ بَاغِيهَا فَأَدِّهَا إِلَيْهِ".

The aforesaid tradition has also been transmitted by Zaid bin Khalid al-Juhani through a different chain of narrators. This version has: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about a find. He replied: Make the matter known for a year; if its owner comes, give it to him, otherwise note its string and its container and have it along with your property. If its owner comes, deliver it to him.

حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ حَفْصٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، ‏‏‏‏‏‏حَدَّثَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ طَهْمَانَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ أَبِيهِ يَزِيدَ مَوْلَى الْمُنْبَعِثِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏أَنَّهُ قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَذَكَرَ نَحْوَ حَدِيثِ رَبِيعَةَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ وَسُئِلَ عَنِ اللُّقَطَةِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَقَالَ:‏‏‏‏ "تُعَرِّفُهَا حَوْلًا فَإِنْ جَاءَ صَاحِبُهَا دَفَعْتَهَا إِلَيْهِ وَإِلَّا عَرَفْتَ وِكَاءَهَا وَعِفَاصَهَا ثُمَّ أَفِضْهَا فِي مَالِكَ فَإِنْ جَاءَ صَاحِبُهَا فَادْفَعْهَا إِلَيْهِ".

The above mentioned tradition has also been transmitted by Yahya bin Saeed and Rabiah through the chain of narrators mentioned by Qutaibah to the same effect. This version adds; if its seeker comes, and recognizes its container and its number, then give it to him. Hammad also narrated it from `Ubaid Allah bin Umar from Amr bin Shuaib, from his father, from his grandfather, from the Prophet ﷺ something similar. Abu Dawud said: This addition made by Hammad bin Salamah bin Kuhail, Yahya bin Saeed, `Ubaid Allah bin Umar and Rabiah; “if its owner comes and recognizes its container, and its string, ” is not guarded. The version narrated by Uqbah bin Suwaid on the authority of his father from the Prophet ﷺ has also the words: “make it known for a year”. The version of Umar bin al-Khattab has also been transmitted from the Prophet ﷺ. This version has: “Make it known for a year”.

حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ سَلَمَةَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَرَبِيعَةَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏بِإِسْنَادِ قُتَيْبَةَ وَمَعْنَاهُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَزَادَ فِيهِ:‏‏‏‏ "فَإِنْ جَاءَ بَاغِيهَا فَعَرَفَ عِفَاصَهَا وَعَدَدَهَا فَادْفَعْهَا إِلَيْهِ"،‏‏‏‏وقَالَ حَمَّادٌ أَيْضًا:‏‏‏‏ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ أَبِيهِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ جَدِّهِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏مِثْلَهُ. قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُد:‏‏‏‏ وَهَذِهِ الزِّيَادَةُ الَّتِي زَادَ حَمَّادُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ فِي حَدِيثِ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ كُهَيْلٍ وَ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ وَ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ وَ رَبِيعَةَ:‏‏‏‏ "إِنْ جَاءَ صَاحِبُهَا فَعَرَفَ عِفَاصَهَا وَوِكَاءَهَا فَادْفَعْهَا إِلَيْهِ"لَيْسَتْ بِمَحْفُوظَةٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَعَرَفَ عِفَاصَهَا وَوِكَاءَهَا، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَحَدِيثُ عُقْبَةَ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ أَبِيهِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏أَيْضًا، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ "عَرِّفْهَا سَنَةً"، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَحَدِيثُ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ أَيْضًا، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ "عَرِّفْهَا سَنَةً".

Narrated Iyad ibn Himar: The Prophet ﷺ said: He who finds something should call one or two trusty persons as witnesses and not conceal it or cover it up; then if he finds its owner he should return it to him, otherwise it is Allah's property which He gives to whom He will.

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ يَعْنِي الطَّحَّانَ. ح وحَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ الْمَعْنَى، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ خَالِدٍ الْحَذَّاءِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ أَبِي الْعَلَاءِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ مُطَرِّفٍ يَعْنِي ابْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ عِيَاضِ بْنِ حِمَارٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:‏‏‏‏ "مَنْ وَجَدَ لُقَطَةً فَلْيُشْهِدْ ذَا عَدْلٍ أَوْ ذَوِي عَدْلٍ وَلَا يَكْتُمْ وَلَا يُغَيِّبْ فَإِنْ وَجَدَ صَاحِبَهَا فَلْيَرُدَّهَا عَلَيْهِ وَإِلَّا فَهُوَ مَالُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يُؤْتِيهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ".

Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about the hanging fruit. He replied: If a needy person takes some and does not take a supply away in his garment, he is not to be blamed, but he who carries any of it away is to be find twice the value and punished, and he who steals any of it after it has been put in the place where dates are dried is to have his hand cut off if its value reaches the price of a shield. Regarding stray camels and sheep he mentioned the same as others have done. He said: He was asked about finds and replied: If it is in a frequented road and a large town, make the matter known for a year, and if its owner comes, give it to him, but if he does not, it belongs to you. If it is in a place which has been a waste from ancient time, or if it is a hidden treasure (belonging to the Islamic period), it is subject to the payment of the fifth.

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ ابْنِ عَجْلَانَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ أَبِيهِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ جَدِّهِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏أَنَّهُ سُئِلَ عَنِ الثَّمَرِ الْمُعَلَّقِ ؟ فَقَالَ:‏‏‏‏ "مَنْ أَصَابَ بِفِيهِ مِنْ ذِي حَاجَةٍ غَيْرَ مُتَّخِذٍ خُبْنَةً فَلَا شَيْءَ عَلَيْهِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَمَنْ خَرَجَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْهُ فَعَلَيْهِ غَرَامَةُ مِثْلَيْهِ وَالْعُقُوبَةُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَمَنْ سَرَقَ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا بَعْدَ أَنْ يُؤْوِيَهُ الْجَرِينُ فَبَلَغَ ثَمَنَ الْمِجَنِّ فَعَلَيْهِ الْقَطْعُ"، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَذَكَرَ فِي ضَالَّةِ الْإِبِلِ وَالْغَنَمِ كَمَا ذَكَرَهُ غَيْرُهُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ وَسُئِلَ عَنِ اللُّقَطَةِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَقَالَ:‏‏‏‏ "مَا كَانَ مِنْهَا فِي طَرِيقِ الْمِيتَاءِ أَوِ الْقَرْيَةِ الْجَامِعَةِ فَعَرِّفْهَا سَنَةً، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَإِنْ جَاءَ طَالِبُهَا فَادْفَعْهَا إِلَيْهِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَإِنْ لَمْ يَأْتِ فَهِيَ لَكَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَمَا كَانَ فِي الْخَرَابِ يَعْنِي فَفِيهَا وَفِي الرِّكَازِ الْخُمُسُ".

The aforesaid tradition has also been transmitted by Amr bin Shuaib through a different chain of narrators. This version has: He said about the stray sheep: You, your brother or the wolf may have them. Do take it. A similar version has been transmitted by Ayyub and Ya’qub bin `Ata from Amr bin Shu’aid from the Propher ﷺ. He said: then take it.

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْأَخْنَسِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏بِهَذَا بِإِسْنَادِهِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وقَالَ فِي ضَالَّةِ الْغَنَمِ:‏‏‏‏ "لَكَ أَوْ لِأَخِيكَ أَوْ لِلذِّئْبِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏خُذْهَا قَطُّ"، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَكَذَا قَالَ فِيهِ أَيُّوبُ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَ يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ عَطَاءٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ "فَخُذْهَا".