the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, concerning a sheep: “It is for you, your brother, or the wolf.” He thus declared it to be the finder’s property. There is disagreement, however, when such food—which quickly spoils and will not keep—is found in a town or where people are present. Ibn Habīb said in al-Wādiha: “If he gives it in charity, he owes its owner no compensation; but if he eats it, he must compensate him, because he has benefited from it.” Another view is that he must compensate its owner whether he gives it in charity or eats it. This is the apparent meaning of Ashhab’s statement. A further view is that he bears no liability whether he eats it or gives it in charity. This is the apparent meaning of what is stated in al-Mudawwana.
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As for the third category—things that can be preserved in the finder’s possession and are not at risk of perishing if left where they are, such as camels—the preferred course is not to take them, because the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “What have you to do with it? It has its water supply and its footwear. It goes to water and eats from the trees until its owner finds it.” If they are taken, however, they must be announced. If their owner is not identified, they are returned to where they were found, as reported from ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb.
One view is that this applies at all times. This is the apparent meaning of Mālik’s statement in al-Mudawwana and in Ashhab’s transmission in al-ʿUtbiyya. Another view is that it applies only in times of justice, when people are upright. In times when people have become corrupt, the ruling is that the camels should be taken and announced. If their owner is not identified, they are sold and the proceeds held for him. If he does not come and there is no longer any hope of his doing so, the proceeds are given in charity on his behalf. This follows what ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān did because of the corruption that arose among people in his time. This has also been related from Mālik.
There is disagreement concerning camels found far from inhabited areas, where they are feared to be at risk from beasts of prey. One view is that they have the same ruling as sheep, and their finder may eat them. Another is that they should be taken and announced, since bringing them in entails no hardship. As for cattle, al-Mudawwana expressly states that they have the same ruling as sheep in this respect, because bringing them in entails hardship. Thus, the disagreement concerning camels does not apply to them. Success is through Allah alone.
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In the words of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the hadith: “Note its container and the cord tying it; then, if there comes