10/1. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1704 — Lost Items and Stray Animals
Finds
Hadith About Lost Property, Stray Sheep, and Stray Camels
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1704
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1704
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ جَعْفَرَ، عَنْ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ، مَوْلَى الْمُنْبَعِثِ عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ اللُّقَطَةِ فَقَالَ " 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 لأَخِيكَ أَوْ لِلذِّئْبِ " . قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَضَالَّةُ الإِبِلِ فَغَضِبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى احْمَرَّتْ وَجْنَتَاهُ - أَوِ احْمَرَّ وَجْهُهُ - وَقَالَ " مَا لَكَ وَلَهَا مَعَهَا حِذَاؤُهَا وَسِقَاؤُهَا حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهَا رَبُّهَا " .
Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani Narrated from:
A man asked the Messenger of Allah (SWAS) 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 (SWAS) 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.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1704In-book reference : Book 10, Hadith 4English translation : Book 9, Hadith 1700
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1704
This hadith about lost property and stray animals gives clear guidance for different cases. For a found item, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said to make it known for a year, note its string and container, and then use it if no owner appears. If the owner later comes, it must be returned. About a stray sheep, he said it may be taken because it is either for the finder, for another person, or for the wolf. This shows the sheep is in danger if left alone. But when asked about stray camels, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم became angry and said the camel has its feet and its stomach for drink until its owner comes. The lesson is that not every lost animal is treated the same. The condition and safety of the animal matter.
What we learn from this hadith
- A found item should be announced for a year before use.
- The details of the item, such as its string and container, should be recorded.
- A stray sheep may be taken because it may be exposed to harm.
- A stray camel should not be taken when it can survive until its owner comes.
