31/1. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1722f — Identifying the Owner of Lost Property
Picking up property lost by a pilgrim
Hadith About Returning Lost Property When the Owner Identifies It
Sahih Muslim : 1722f
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1722f
وَحَدَّثَنِي إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا حَبَّانُ بْنُ هِلاَلٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَرَبِيعَةُ الرَّأْىِ بْنُ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ، مَوْلَى الْمُنْبَعِثِ عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ، خَالِدٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ أَنَّ رَجُلاً، سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ ضَالَّةِ الإِبِلِ . زَادَ رَبِيعَةُ فَغَضِبَ حَتَّى احْمَرَّتْ وَجْنَتَاهُ . وَاقْتَصَّ الْحَدِيثَ بِنَحْوِ حَدِيثِهِمْ وَزَادَ " فَإِنْ جَاءَ صَاحِبُهَا فَعَرَفَ عِفَاصَهَا وَعَدَدَهَا وَوِكَاءَهَا فَأَعْطِهَا إِيَّاهُ وَإِلاَّ فَهْىَ لَكَ " .
Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani Narrated from:
A person asked Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) about a lost camel; Rabi'a made this addition: He (the Holy Prophet) was so much annoyed that his cheeks became red." The rest of the hadith is the same. He (the narrator) made this addition:" If its (that of the article) owner comes and he recognises the bag (which contained it) and its number, and the strap. then give that to them, but if not, then it is for you."
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1722fIn-book reference : Book 31, Hadith 6USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 18, Hadith 4277
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1722f
This Hadith adds an important detail to the hadith about returning lost property. If the owner comes and recognizes the bag, the number, and the strap, then the item should be given to him. If not, then it is for the finder. The narration also mentions the lost camel and says the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم became annoyed until his cheeks became red. This shows the question of the lost camel was serious, because the camel could walk, drink, and survive until its owner found it. The main lesson is not to rush with found property. The finder must pay attention to identifying signs, the owner’s claim, and the correct way to return it.
What we learn from this hadith
- The owner’s identification of the item matters.
- The finder should know the bag, number, and strap.
- A rightful owner should receive the item when he identifies it.
- The lost camel should not be treated like ordinary found property.
