Question: With regard to lost property (luqṭa) found inside the ḥaram, is there no distinction between valuable and insignificant items when it comes to the prohibition of picking them up?

Answer: Correct—something trivial may be taken whether it is inside the ḥaram or elsewhere. The discussion concerns only an item that has monetary worth and is considered significant.

Question: And, naturally, the threshold for what counts as “trivial” changes from one time period to another, does it not?

Answer: An article may be valuable in one era yet worthless in another, because people’s wealth has increased. Conversely, in times of poverty and need, even a small item carries value.

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Returning the lost property to its owner

Question: When I was a child I found some money. Ignorant of the rulings, I took it and spent it. I now wish to clear myself of liability. What must I do?

Answer: If you know the owner, you must return the money to him and ask his pardon for the wrong you committed. If he has passed away, you must give it to his heir.

If, however, you have no knowledge of who the owner is, you must give that amount in charity, intending that the reward reach him. At the same time, you must repent to Allah for such conduct, for people’s wealth is inviolable and may not be taken without their consent; doing so is sheer injustice and aggression. Therefore, repent to Allah, restore the money to its owner or his heir, and if you are unable to do that, give it in charity on his behalf so that your liability is removed. Allah knows best.