10/1. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1703 — Identifying Found Wealth
Finds
Hadith About Identifying Lost Property Before Returning It
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1703
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1703
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، حَدَّثَنَا سَلَمَةُ بْنُ كُهَيْلٍ، بِإِسْنَادِهِ وَمَعْنَاهُ قَالَ فِي التَّعْرِيفِ قَالَ عَامَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلاَثَةً . وَقَالَ " اعْرِفْ عَدَدَهَا وَوِعَاءَهَا وَوِكَاءَهَا " . زَادَ " فَإِنْ جَاءَ صَاحِبُهَا فَعَرَفَ عَدَدَهَا وَوِكَاءَهَا فَادْفَعْهَا إِلَيْهِ " . قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ لَيْسَ يَقُولُ هَذِهِ الْكَلِمَةَ إِلاَّ حَمَّادٌ فِي هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ يَعْنِي " فَعَرَفَ عَدَدَهَا " .
Salamah. Bin Kuhail Narrated from:
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.”
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1703In-book reference : Book 10, Hadith 3English translation : Book 9, Hadith 1699
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1703
This hadith about identifying lost property focuses on knowing the signs of the item. The narration mentions making the matter known for two or three years, and then remembering its number, container, and string. It also adds that if the owner comes and tells its number and string, it should be given to him. The important message is that found wealth should be handled with care. A person should not simply hand it to anyone who claims it without checking clear signs. At the same time, the finder must not hide it or treat it as his own from the start. This hadith gives a balanced lesson: protect the lost item, announce it, record its marks, and return it when the owner is known through proper signs.
What we learn from this hadith
- The finder should learn and preserve the signs of the lost item.
- Claims of ownership should be checked through clear details mentioned in the hadith.
- Found property should be announced before being used.
- The rightful owner should receive the item when his claim is recognized.
