Likewise, a whip—a thin, small stick of little value. Whoever finds one may keep it.

His statement, “and similar items,” includes such things as a cheap pen or a key ring. They become the finder’s property without public announcement: as soon as he finds them, they become his property, provided that he does not know their owner. If he does know their owner, he must notify him, though he is not required to deliver them to him.

The author, may Allah have mercy on him, then moved from lost property to stray animals and said:

“Any animal that can defend itself against small predators, such as an ox, a camel, and the like, is unlawful to take. …”

His statement, “Any animal that can defend itself against small predators, such as an ox, a camel, and the like, is unlawful to take”: stray animals are of two types:

The first is that which can defend itself against small predators. Small predators include wolves and dogs when they become vicious—that is, when they attack and prey upon animals—and the like. As for large predators, even camels cannot defend themselves against them.

His statement, “such as an ox and a camel”: an adult ox can undoubtedly defend itself against small predators, whereas a young one cannot and is therefore treated like a sheep and similar animals. But the adult can defend itself, because if a wolf comes to eat it, it will gore it with its horns or trample it with its feet, and the wolf will be unable to eat it. The same applies to a camel. Of course, if wolves gather against a camel, they may be able to overcome it, but what matters is the general case.

His statement, “and the like”: some have given the example of a donkey, saying that it can defend itself against small predators. In reality, however, it cannot. A donkey is cowardly: when it smells the scent of a wolf, it becomes frightened and cannot defend itself. Of course, if