10/1. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1706 — Returning a Found Item
Finds
Hadith About Returning Lost Property to Its Seeker
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1706
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1706
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، وَهَارُونُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، - الْمَعْنَى - قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي فُدَيْكٍ، عَنِ الضَّحَّاكِ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ عُثْمَانَ - عَنْ سَالِمِ أَبِي النَّضْرِ، عَنْ بُسْرِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم سُئِلَ عَنِ اللُّقَطَةِ فَقَالَ " عَرِّفْهَا سَنَةً فَإِنْ جَاءَ بَاغِيهَا فَأَدِّهَا إِلَيْهِ وَإِلاَّ فَاعْرِفْ عِفَاصَهَا وَوِكَاءَهَا ثُمَّ كُلْهَا فَإِنْ جَاءَ بَاغِيهَا فَأَدِّهَا إِلَيْهِ " .
Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani Narrated from:
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.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1706In-book reference : Book 10, Hadith 6English translation : Book 9, Hadith 1702
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1706
This hadith about returning lost property gives a short and clear process. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked about a find. He said to make it known for a year. If the seeker comes, the item should be delivered to him. If no seeker comes, the finder should note its container and string, then may use it. But even after using it, the duty is not forgotten. If the seeker comes later, it must still be delivered to him. This makes the teaching very practical. The finder is allowed to benefit after the announcement period, but the owner’s right is still respected. The hadith is a strong reminder that found property in Islam is not a free gain without responsibility.
What we learn from this hadith
- A found item should be announced for a year.
- If the seeker appears, the item should be returned.
- The container and string should be noted before use.
- Using the item later does not cancel the duty to return it if the owner appears.
