Is keeping a lost property lawful?
The issue of lost property and its lawful handling is addressed in both the Qur'an and hadith. The general principle is that if someone finds a lost item, they should announce it and try to return it to its rightful owner.
In Al-Kafi, it is narrated that Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) said: Lost property is of two kinds: Lost property found in the sanctuary must be announced for a year; if its owner is found, it is returned, otherwise it is given in charity. Lost property found outside it must be announced for a year; if its owner appears, it is returned; if not, it becomes the property of the finder.
Al-Kafi 3:124 This indicates that while keeping lost property can be lawful under certain conditions, it is crucial to make efforts to find the owner first.
Similarly, in Sunni sources, the Prophet ﷺ taught: If its owner comes, return it to him. Otherwise, determine its container, its number, its vessels, and their counts, then keep all of it.
Sunan al-Tirmidhi 15:53 This highlights the importance of recognizing the property and making attempts to return it before deciding to keep it.
Thus, while it can be lawful to keep lost property, it is conditioned upon the efforts made to return it to its rightful owner.
Sources
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Al-Kafi 3:124
Al-Kafi · Book 3, Hadith 124
The Quran that Gabriel (peace be upon him) brought to Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) consists of seventeen thousand verses. — OR — It is recommended that a shroud include a clean garment in which the deceased used to pray, as it is preferred that he be shrouded in what he used to perform prayer in. — OR — Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) said: Lost property is of two kinds: Lost property found in the sanctuary must be announced for a year; if its owner is found, it is returned, otherwise it is given in charity. Lost property found outside it must be announced for a year; if its owner appears, it is returned; if not, it becomes the property of the finder. — OR — They said, 'Marry the suspicious ones but do not give them in marriage, for a woman takes from the manners of her husband and he forces her into his religion.' — OR — I asked Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) about a man who commits intercourse with an animal—a sheep, camel, or cow. He said: The punishment is flogging less than the legal hadd, then exile from one city to another. He added that the meat of such animals is prohibited, as well as their milk. — OR — The Magicians asked the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him): Tell me about God, exalted and glorified. Does He carry the Throne, or does the Throne carry Him? The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) said: God, exalted and glorified, is the Carrier of the Throne and the heavens and the earth and everything within and between them. This is the word of God, exalted: "Indeed, God holds the heavens and the earth lest they should disappear; and if they were to disappear, none after Him would hold them." He is patient and forgiving. Then they said: Tell me about His saying: "And the Throne of your Lord shall be carried above them on that Day by eight [angels]." How is that when you say that He carries the Throne and the heavens and the earth? The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) said: The Throne was created by God, blessed be He, from four lights: a red light, from which redness took its redness; a green light, from which greenery took its color; a yellow light, from which yellowness took its color; and a white light, from which whiteness took its color. This is the knowledge with which God has burdened the bearers — a light from His greatness. Because of its greatness and light, the hearts of the believers see it. Because of its greatness and light, the ignorant make it their adversary. Because of its greatness and light, all creatures in the heavens and earth seek means to it through various deeds and similar religions. Every bearer carries it by God's light, greatness, and power. It cannot harm or benefit itself, nor cause death or life or resurrection. Everything is borne, and God, blessed and exalted, holds them from departing, and encompasses them. He is the life of everything and the light of everything. Glory be to Him, exalted above what they say, highly exalted. They said to him: Tell me about God, exalted and glorified, where is He? The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) said: He is here and here and above and below and encompassing us and with us. He is the One Who says: There is no secret conversation of three but He is the fourth of them, nor of five but He is the sixth of them, nor less than that nor more, but He is with them wherever they are. The Kursi encircles the heavens and the earth and what is between them and what is beneath the soil. If you speak aloud, He knows the secret and the hidden. This is His saying, exalted: "His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. He is the Most High, the Most Great." Those who carry the Throne are the scholars whom God has entrusted with His knowledge, and nothing created by God in His dominion escapes their knowledge, which He showed to His chosen and His intimate friend (peace be upon him). He said: "And thus We showed Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he might be among the certain." How do the bearers of the Throne carry God? By His life their hearts live, and by His light they are guided to know Him.
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Sunan al-Tirmidhi 15:53
Sunan al-Tirmidhi · Book 15, Hadith 53 · Narrated by Zayd ibn Khalid al-Juhani
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked about lost property. He replied, "It is recognized as a customary practice: if its owner acknowledges it, then return it to him. Otherwise, determine its container, its number, its vessels, and their counts, then keep all of it. If the owner comes, restore it to him."
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