Returning an item left behind by the owner

· 1 Rabiʻ I 1439 AH1 min readEnglish
Business and DealingsLost and Stolen itemsbusinessreturnsforgettingitem

Question

An electrician once came to my home and left his cutter. Now, I don’t have any chance of meeting him. Can I use the cutter myself?

Answer

It is not permissible for you to use his cutter. This wealth is regarded as luqtah (lost item). Make enquiries regarding his whereabouts and return it to him.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

References (Arabic / Urdu sources)

فأما (النوع الثاني) وهو ما يعلم أن صاحبه يطلبه فمن يرفعه فعليه أن يحفظه ويعرفه ليوصله إلى صاحبه وبدأ الكتاب به ورواه عن إبراهيم قال في اللقطة يعرفها حولا فإن جاء صاحبها وإلا تصدق بها (المبسوط للسرخسي 11/3)

Answered by
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & approved by
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
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