16
Chapter on the Foundling (al-laqīṭ)
A foundling is a child whose lineage and legal status—whether free or enslaved—are unknown, having been abandoned or having lost his way. Taking him into protective custody is a communal obligation. He is presumed free. Any property discovered with him or beneath him, whether plainly visible or buried, newly placed or attached to him—such as an animal or any other item—or found nearby, belongs to him; the cost2 of his upkeep is paid from that property, and if nothing is available, then from the public treasury (Bayt al-Māl).
(1) In manuscript “B” the word bi-l-nida ("with the call") is crossed out, and it is altogether absent from manuscript “M”.
(2) Manuscript “B” reads: wa yunfiqu ("and he spends").
باب اللقيط
وهو: "طفل لا يعرف نسبه ولا رقه نبذ أو ضل", "وأخذه قرض كناية" وهو حر وما وجد معه أو تحته ظاهرا أو مدفونا طريا أو متصلا به كحيوان وغيره أو قريبا منه فله ينفق٢ عليه منه وإلا فمن بيت المال.
١ضرب في "ب" على كلمة: بالنداء وسقطت من "م".
٢في "ب": وينفق.