Chapter on the Rulings for Lost Property (luqṭah)

The term luqṭah refers to any property—other than an animal—that has become separated from its owner. This upright religion has enjoined the safeguarding of wealth, the honoring of a Muslim’s property, and its protection; the regulations of luqṭah are one aspect of that concern.

When an item is lost from its owner, it falls under three possible situations:

1. First situation: the article is of such little value that ordinary people would show no concern for it—items like a whip, a loaf of bread, a piece of fruit, or a walking stick. Whoever finds something of this sort becomes its owner and may use it without any announcement. Jābir reported: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ allowed a man to pick up a stick, a whip, or a rope,” related by Abū Dāwūd.

2. Second situation: the item is of a type that small predators cannot overcome—either because of its size, such as camels, horses, cattle, or mules; because it can fly, like birds; because of its speed, like gazelles; or because it can defend itself with its fangs, like leopards. Taking anything in this category is forbidden, and the finder does not acquire ownership of it even if he were to announce it. When the Prophet ﷺ was asked about stray camels he said, “What concern have you with them? They have their water and their shoes; they go to the watering places and graze on the trees until their owner finds them,” agreed upon. ʿUmar said, “Whoever takes a stray camel is himself astray,” meaning he is in error. The Prophet ﷺ therefore ruled in that ḥadith that such animals are not to be picked up; rather, they are left to drink and graze until someone comes across them.