31/1. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1723c — Identifying the True Owner
Picking up property lost by a pilgrim
Luqatah Hadith: Identifying Lost Property Before Returning It
Sahih Muslim : 1723c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1723c
وَحَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي، شَيْبَةَ حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي جَمِيعًا، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ، بْنُ حَاتِمٍ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ الرَّقِّيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ عَمْرٍو - عَنْ زَيْدِ، بْنِ أَبِي أُنَيْسَةَ ح وَحَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ بِشْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا بَهْزٌ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، كُلُّ هَؤُلاَءِ عَنْ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ كُهَيْلٍ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ . نَحْوَ حَدِيثِ شُعْبَةَ . وَفِي حَدِيثِهِمْ جَمِيعًا ثَلاَثَةَ أَحْوَالٍ إِلاَّ حَمَّادَ بْنَ سَلَمَةَ فَإِنَّ فِي حَدِيثِهِ عَامَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلاَثَةً . وَفِي حَدِيثِ سُفْيَانَ وَزَيْدِ بْنِ أَبِي أُنَيْسَةَ وَحَمَّادِ بْنِ سَلَمَةَ " فَإِنْ جَاءَ أَحَدٌ يُخْبِرُكَ بِعَدَدِهَا وَوِعَائِهَا وَوِكَائِهَا فَأَعْطِهَا إِيَّاهُ " . وَزَادَ سُفْيَانُ فِي رِوَايَةِ وَكِيعٍ " وَإِلاَّ فَهِيَ كَسَبِيلِ مَالِكَ " . وَفِي رِوَايَةِ ابْنِ نُمَيْرٍ " وَإِلاَّ فَاسْتَمْتِعْ بِهَا " .
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Salama b. Kuhail through different chains of transmitters. In their ahadith, it is three years, except in the hadith of Hammid b. Salama it is two years or three years. In the hadith transmitted on the authority of Sufyan and Zaid b. Abu Unaisa and Hammid b. Salama (the words are): " If someone comes and informs you about the number (of articles) of the bag and the straps, then give that to him." Sufyan has made this addition in the narration of Waki':" Otherwise it is like your property." And in the narration of Ibn Numair the words are:" Otherwise make use of that."
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1723cIn-book reference : Book 31, Hadith 10USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 18, Hadith 4281
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1723c
Core topic: Lost Property. This narration focuses on different chains for the report of Salama b. Kuhail. It mentions variations about the period of announcement, including three years in some reports and two or three years in another. It also gives a key practical point: if someone comes and tells the finder the number of the items, the bag, and the straps, then the item should be given to him. This hadith about lost property teaches that returning a found item is not based on a vague claim. The claimant should know details that point to real ownership. If no such owner appears, the narration mentions making use of it, while still keeping the item’s identity in mind.
What we learn from this hadith
- A claimant should identify clear details of the lost item.
- The number, bag, and strap help protect the owner’s right.
- Reports may mention wording differences, so the shared meaning should be handled carefully.
- Use of the item comes after the search for its owner.
