of a difficulty. Thus, the stronger view in this issue is that he bears no liability if he has neither transgressed nor been negligent.

There is a third view: that he bears no liability in any case. As long as it has entered his ownership, it is his property. Thus, if he were to slaughter the sheep, for example, or spend the money, nothing is due from him, because it is his property. If its owner comes seeking it, he may say to him, “I announced it for a year; once the year was complete, I acquired ownership of it.”

His statement, “But he may not dispose of it before knowing its distinguishing features,” means that the finder may not dispose of it—that is, of the found item, namely the lost property—“before knowing its distinguishing features,” due to the Prophet’s saying, “Know its container and its fastening cord.” (1) The container is the receptacle, and the fastening cord is the string by which it is tied and secured. He must know these details.

He should also have witnesses to its distinguishing features, but he should choose people he trusts. For if he has witnesses, he is protected against its owner should the latter claim a more complete description of it. Such witnessing is one of the means of ensuring accuracy.

Question: May he make use of the lost property?

Answer: If it is after the completion of the year, he may make use of it, because it is his property. Before then, however, if it requires expenditure—as with an animal that needs fodder and water—he may benefit from it to the extent of that expenditure. Otherwise, he may not, as in the case of a vessel, which he may not use.

According to the view that it enters his ownership, may he dispose of it or not?