CHAPTER ON FOUND PROPERTY AND FOUNDLINGS

406—Found property falls into1 three categories:

The first is anything of little value, such as a whip, a loaf of bread, or the like. It may be taken into ownership without being publicly announced.

The second is stray livestock capable of defending themselves against small predators, such as camels. They can never be acquired as property merely by being taken up.

The third is anything other than the foregoing. It may be picked up, and the finder acquires ownership of it after publicly announcing it for one full year.

Zayd ibn Khālid al-Juhanī reported that a man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and asked him about found property. He replied, “Note its container and fastening, then announce it for a year. If its owner comes forward, return it to him; otherwise,