بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Kitāb Al-Buyoo’ (Fiqh Al-Muyassar) Lesson 17 Notes (24 Sha’bān 1446 H - 23/2/25) Continuation... الباب الحادي والعشرون: اللقطة واللقيط The 21st Subchapter: Lost Property and Foundlings (abandoned child) المسألة الأولى: معنى اللقطة وحكمها Definition and Ruling of Luqaṭah BENEFIT يقال: لُقَطة ولُقاطة ولَقَطة ولُقْطة It is said: Luqaṭah (this is the most common way), Luqāṭah, Laqaṭah, and Luqṭah. DEFINITION: LINGUISTICALLY اللقطة لغة: الشيء الملقوط؛ وهي اسم الشيء الذي تجده ملقى فتأخذه. Linguistically: luqaṭah refers to any item that is picked up. It is a term used to describe something found abandoned and taken into possession. LEGISLATIVELY هي أخذ مال محترم من مضيعة؛ ليحفظه، أو ليتملكه بعد التعريف. luqaṭah is defined as the act of taking possession of a valuable item that has been lost, with the intention of either (1) safeguarding it or (2) claiming ownership after a period of public announcement. RULING: The ruling on luqata is based on the ḥadīth of Zaid ibn Khālid Al-Juhani: أن النبي ﷺ سُئل عن لقطة الذهب أو الورق (الفضة) فقال: ((اعرف وكاءها وعفاصها ثم عرفها سنة فإن لم تعرف فاستنفقها، ولتكن عندك وديعة، فإن جاء طالبها يوماً من الدهر فَأَدها إليه)). وسأله عن ضالة الإبل فقال : ((ما لك ولها، دعها فإن معها حذاءها، وسقاءها، ترد الماء وتأكل الشجر حتى يلقاها ربها)). وسأله عن الشاة فقال: ((خذها فإنما هي لك، أو لأخيك، أو للذئب)). in which the Prophet ﷺ was asked about lost gold or silver. He replied: "Identify its binding and its container, then announce it for one year. If its owner does not come forward, you may use it, but it should remain in your safekeeping. If its owner comes to claim it at any time, return it to him." He was then asked about stray camels, to which he responded: "What concern is it of yours? Leave them, for they have their hooves and their water supply; they drink water and graze on trees until their owner finds them." When asked about stray sheep, he said: "Take it, for it is either yours, your brother’s, or the wolf’s." [Reported by Al-Bukhari, No. 2372, and Muslim, No. 1722.] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - والوكاء: الخيط الذي تُشَدُّ به الصرة والكيس وغيرهما. The wikā’ refers to the string used to tie a pouch, bag, or similar items. والعقاص: الوعاء تكون فيه النفقة، من جلد أو غير ذلك. The ‘iqās is a container, made of leather or other materials, used for storing money. والمقصود: مـعـرفـة الملتقط بالعلامات حتى يعلم صدق واصفها إذا وصفها. The purpose of these terms in this context is to emphasise the importance of the finder recognising the distinguishing features of the lost item so that they can verify the accuracy of the claimant’s description. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - المسألة الثانية: أقسام اللقطة Categories of Luqaṭah 1. ما لا تتبعه همة (أوساط) الناس Items of insignificant value that are not typically sought after by the average person. Examples include a whip, a loaf of bread, fruit, or a stick. RULING = It is permissible to pick up such items, and the finder may use or take ownership of them without the need for public announcement. BENEFIT: This ruling is supported by the hadith of Anas (may Allāh be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ once passed by a date lying on the road and said: ((لولا أني أخاف أن تكون من الصدقة لأكلتها)) "Were it not that I fear it might be from charity, I would have eaten it." [Agreed upon] This ḥadīth indicates that a small item, such as a date or similar objects, may be taken and kept without the obligation of publicising it. NOTE: The standard for identifying items of little value is based on the average person. Scholars have explained that "average people" are those with a balanced character—neither excessively miserly nor preoccupied with insignificant matters. 2. ما يمتنع بنفسه من صغار السباع وغيرها