31/1. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1722a — Rules for Lost Property
Picking up property lost by a pilgrim
Hadith About Lost Property, Lost Sheep, and Lost Camels
Sahih Muslim : 1722a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1722a
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى التَّمِيمِيُّ، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ، الرَّحْمَنِ عَنْ يَزِيدَ، مَوْلَى الْمُنْبَعِثِ عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ اللُّقَطَةِ فَقَالَ " اعْرِفْ عِفَاصَهَا وَوِكَاءَهَا ثُمَّ عَرِّفْهَا سَنَةً فَإِنْ جَاءَ صَاحِبُهَا وَإِلاَّ فَشَأْنَكَ بِهَا " . قَالَ فَضَالَّةُ الْغَنَمِ قَالَ " لَكَ أَوْ لأَخِيكَ أَوْ لِلذِّئْبِ " . قَالَ فَضَالَّةُ الإِبِلِ قَالَ " مَا لَكَ وَلَهَا مَعَهَا سِقَاؤُهَا وَحِذَاؤُهَا تَرِدُ الْمَاءَ وَتَأْكُلُ الشَّجَرَ حَتَّى يَلْقَاهَا رَبُّهَا " . قَالَ يَحْيَى أَحْسِبُ قَرَأْتُ عِفَاصَهَا
Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani Narrated from:
A man came to Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) and asked him about picking up of stray articles. He said: Recognise (well) its bag and the strap (by which it is tied) then make announcement of that for a year. If its owner comes (within this time return that to him), otherwise it is yours.He (again) said: (What about) the lost goat? Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: It is yours or for your brother, or for the wolf. He said: (What about) the lost camel? Thereupon he said: You have nothing to do with it; it has a leather bag along with it, and its shoes also. It comes to the watering-place, eats (the leaves of the) trees until its master finds him.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1722aIn-book reference : Book 31, Hadith 1USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 18, Hadith 4272
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1722a
This Hadith is a key text for the search term hadith about lost property. A man asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم about picking up stray articles. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم told him to recognize its bag and strap, then announce it for a year. If the owner came, it should be returned. Otherwise, it could be used. When asked about a lost goat, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said it was for the finder, his brother, or the wolf. When asked about a lost camel, he said the person had nothing to do with it because the camel had its water carrier and feet, and could reach water and eat from trees until its owner found it.
What we learn from this hadith
- Lost property should be identified carefully by its marks.
- An announcement should be made for one year.
- A lost goat is treated differently from a lost camel.
- A lost camel should be left because it can survive until its owner finds it.
