The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ، مَوْلَى الْمُنْبَعِثِ عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَجُلاً سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ اللُّقَطَةِ قَالَ " عَرِّفْهَا سَنَةً، ثُمَّ اعْرِفْ وِكَاءَهَا وَعِفَاصَهَا، ثُمَّ اسْتَنْفِقْ بِهَا، فَإِنْ جَاءَ رَبُّهَا فَأَدِّهَا إِلَيْهِ ". قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَضَالَّةُ الْغَنَمِ قَالَ " خُذْهَا فَإِنَّمَا هِيَ لَكَ أَوْ لأَخِيكَ أَوْ لِلذِّئْبِ ". قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، فَضَالَّةُ الإِبِلِ قَالَ فَغَضِبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى احْمَرَّتْ وَجْنَتَاهُ ـ أَوِ احْمَرَّ وَجْهُهُ ـ ثُمَّ قَالَ " مَا لَكَ وَلَهَا، مَعَهَا حِذَاؤُهَا وَسِقَاؤُهَا، حَتَّى يَلْقَاهَا رَبُّهَا ".
A man asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about the Luqata. He said, "Make public announcement of it for one
year, then remember the description of its container and the string it is tied with, utilize the money,
and if its owner comes back after that, give it to him." The people asked, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! What
about a lost sheep?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Take it, for it is for you, for your brother, or for the wolf."
The man asked, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! What about a lost camel?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) got angry and his
cheeks or face became red, and said, "You have no concern with it as it has its feet, and its watercontainer,
till its owner finds it."
Narrated by Narrated Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani:
Context
In this hadith, a man inquired about the proper way to handle lost property, specifically a luqata (found item). The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) advised that the item should be announced publicly for a year, and its description should be remembered. If the owner does not come forward, the finder may use it. However, when asked about lost camels, the Prophet (ﷺ) expressed anger, emphasizing that camels have their means of sustenance and should be left until their owner finds them.
Modern Application
This principle highlights the importance of honesty and responsibility in handling lost property. In today's context, it encourages individuals to make efforts to return lost items to their rightful owners while also recognizing that some items may be left unclaimed for a long time, allowing for their use in the meantime.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Ethics of Interaction because it emphasizes the moral responsibility of individuals to return lost items to their owners.
And O my people, this is the she-camel of Allah - [she is] to you a sign. So let her feed upon Allah 's earth and do not touch her with harm, or you will be taken by an impending punishment."
And of the camels, two and of the cattle, two. Say, "Is it the two males He has forbidden or the two females or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Or were you witnesses when Allah charged you with this? Then who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allah to mislead the people by [something] other than knowledge? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people."
And what Allah restored to His Messenger from the people of the towns - it is for Allah and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and orphans and the [stranded] traveler - so that it will not be a perpetual distribution among the rich from among you. And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.
This hadith is #2339 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Lost Things Picked up by Someone (Luqatah). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani:.
