English Translation

Hadrat Zaid b. Khalid told that when a man came to the Beloved Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and asked him about a find he said, “Note what it is contained in and what it is tied with and make the matter known for a year. Then if its owner comes give it to him, otherwise you can do what you like with it.” He asked about stray sheep (or goats) and he replied, “You, your brother, or the wolf may have them.” He asked about stray camels and he replied, “What have you to do with them? They have their stomachs and their feet. They can go down to water and eat trees till their master finds them.” In a version by Muslim he said, “Make the matter known for a year, then note what it is contained in and what it is tied with and use it for your own purposes, but if its owner comes you must deliver it to him*.” * This tradition says that after a year the finder may do as he likes with the article, but that if the owner turns up later he must restore it to him, or give him an equivalent if he has disposed of it. (Bukhari and Muslim.)