10/1. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1711 — Taking a Stray Sheep
Finds
Hadith About Taking a Stray Sheep in Islam
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1711
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1711
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنِ الْوَلِيدِ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ كَثِيرٍ - حَدَّثَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ شُعَيْبٍ، بِإِسْنَادِهِ بِهَذَا قَالَ فِي ضَالَّةِ الشَّاءِ قَالَ " فَاجْمَعْهَا " .
'Amr bin Shu'aib Narrated from:
The above mentioned tradition has also been transmitted by ‘Amr bin Shu’aib through a different chain of narrators. This version adds: regarding the stray sheep he said : “Take it”.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1711In-book reference : Book 10, Hadith 11English translation : Book 9, Hadith 1707
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1711
This hadith about a stray sheep is a short supporting narration of the earlier report. It adds that regarding the stray sheep, the wording was “gather it.” The teaching is simple but important. A stray sheep is not like a strong camel that can reach water and eat on its own. A sheep may be exposed to danger, loss, or attack. So the instruction here points to gathering it rather than leaving it unattended. The hadith is closely tied to the rules of lost property and stray animals. It shows that Islam teaches care for property and care for animals, while also respecting the right of the owner. The finder’s action should not be based on greed, but on protection and proper handling.
What we learn from this hadith
- A stray sheep may be gathered instead of being left exposed.
- The finder should act with care, not with greed.
- The owner’s right remains connected to the animal.
- Different animals may have different treatment based on their condition.
