identify it without giving a detailed description, lest someone to whom it does not belong claim it.

The announcement must be made immediately. If he delays it, he is sinful and is liable for it as one who unlawfully usurps property.

His words, “other than mosques”: As for mosques, it is not permissible to announce a lost item in them. Indeed, the Prophet ﷺ instructed that whoever hears someone announcing a lost item in the mosque should say: “May Allah not return it to you, for mosques were not built for this.” (1) This is a form of disciplinary rebuke, just as the Prophet instructed that a sneezing person who does not praise Allah should not be responded to with a supplication for mercy. (2) Thus, if a person believes that, were he to administer this disciplinary rebuke, he himself would be reprimanded, then he should not proceed; for Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity.

The hadith may mean that the Messenger ﷺ intended us to say the entire statement: “May Allah not return it to you, for mosques were not built for this.” Or it may be that he mentioned this as the reason for the ruling—as though someone were to ask, “Why do we say these words?” The answer is: because mosques were not built for this. Accordingly, one should consider what serves the greater interest. If it is beneficial to say the full statement, then let him say it, so as to reassure the person and explain the reason and wisdom behind the ruling. This is better, because if you say, “May Allah not return it to you,” and shout it at him, he will feel resentment in his heart. But if you add, “For mosques were not built for this,” he will be reassured.

And if people were given free rein to announce lost items in the mosque,