Beyond "Finders Keepers"
He (ﷺ) said: Recognize (well) its bag and the strap (by which it is tied) then make announcement of that for a year.
If its owner comes (within this time return that to him), otherwise it is yours.
He (the inquirer) (again) said: (What about) the lost goat?
Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet(ﷺ)) said: Take it, for that is yours or for your brother, or for the wolf.
He (the inquirer) said: (What about) the lost camel?
Thereupon he (ﷺ) said: You have nothing to do with it; it has feet, it has a leather bag along with it, and its shoes also. It comes to the watering-place, eats (the leaves of the) trees until its master finds him.
Lesson:
- Act with integrity and make a genuine effort to return valuable lost property.
- Assess the vulnerability and self-sufficiency of a lost animal when deciding on the appropriate course of action.
- Prioritize preventing harm or loss to a vulnerable lost animal.
- Recognize that different types of lost property require different approaches based on their nature and potential for survival.
