about a stray sheep, and he ﷺ answered, “It is either yours, your brother’s, or the wolf’s.” He was then asked about a stray camel, whereupon he said, “What business have you with it?! It has its water-skin and its sandals; it will reach the water and browse on the trees until its owner finds it.” (Agreed upon.)

His ﷺ words, “Identify its cord and its pouch,” mean that the wikāʾ is the string with which the purse containing the money is tied, while the ʿifāṣ is the very purse in which the money is kept.

As for his ﷺ statement, “Then announce it for a year,” it means: make it known to the people in their gathering places—the markets, at mosque doors, and in other assemblies and public venues—for the span of a full lunar year. During the first week after picking it up one should call out for it every day, because the owner is most likely to appear in that period; after that week, the announcement is made according to local custom.

This ḥadith establishes that proclaiming a found object is obligatory. His ﷺ words, “Identify its cord and its pouch,” also show the necessity of knowing its distinguishing features, so that if the owner comes and gives a description matching those features the item is handed over to him; if his description differs from reality, it may not be given to him.

Likewise, his ﷺ words, “If it is not claimed, then spend it,” prove that the finder becomes its lawful owner after the year has elapsed and after the public announcements have been made. Nevertheless, he may not dispose of it before learning its characteristics—that is, its container, its cord, its amount, its type, and its description. Should the owner appear after the year has passed and accurately describe those details, it must be returned to him, as the Prophet ﷺ said: “If its claimant appears at any time, hand it over to him.”

From what has preceded, it becomes clear that several matters are required concerning a found item: