15/35. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 1373 — Announcing Lost Property
What Has Been Related About Lost Items, The Stray Camel And Sheep
Hadith About Announcing Lost Property
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 1373
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 1373
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ الْحَنَفِيُّ، أَخْبَرَنَا الضَّحَّاكُ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ، حَدَّثَنِي سَالِمٌ أَبُو النَّضْرِ، عَنْ بُسْرِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم سُئِلَ عَنِ اللُّقَطَةِ فَقَالَ " عَرِّفْهَا سَنَةً فَإِنِ اعْتُرِفَتْ فَأَدِّهَا وَإِلاَّ فَاعْرِفْ وِعَاءَهَا وَعِفَاصَهَا وَوِكَاءَهَا وَعَدَدَهَا ثُمَّ كُلْهَا فَإِذَا جَاءَ صَاحِبُهَا فَأَدِّهَا " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ زَيْدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ غَرِيبٌ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ . قَالَ أَحْمَدُ أَصَحُّ شَيْءٍ فِي هَذَا الْبَابِ هَذَا الْحَدِيثُ .
Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about the lost item. He said: "Make A Public Announcement About It For One Year, If It Is Claimed Then Give It To Him. Otherwise Remember Its Sack, String, And Its Count. Then Use It, And If Its Owner Comes, Give It To Him."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1373In-book reference : Book 15, Hadith 54English translation : Vol. 3, Book 13, Hadith 1373
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 1373
This hadith about announcing lost property repeats a clear rule from the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم). Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhni narrated that the Prophet was asked about a lost item. He said to announce it for one year. If it was claimed, it should be given to the claimant. If not, the finder should remember its sack, string, and count, then use it. If the owner later came, it had to be given back. The hadith teaches honesty with found property. It does not allow a person to quietly take what is found. It requires public notice, careful record keeping, and readiness to return the item.
What we learn from this hadith
- A found item should not be hidden from its owner.
- Public announcement for one year is part of the guidance.
- Details like sack, string, and count should be remembered.
- Use after announcement still does not cancel the owner's right.
