the person who has found the thing) looks after it for the...

the person who has found the thing) looks after it for the sake of its owner so that he may deliver it to him as and when he is found and in the meantime it perishes and he has not been negligent in looking after it, and has also not been extravagant, he is not responsible. However, if he has appropriated it himself he is responsible. And in case he gives it as alms on behalf of the owner he (the owner) has the option in endorsing the giving of alms or demanding compensation for his property.

And the spiritual reward for the alms is enjoyed by him, who gives the alms. 2579. If a person finds something and does not make intentionally an announcement according to the orders narrated above, he not only commits a sin but it is still obligatory on him to make an announcement about it. 2580. If an insane person or a minor child finds something his guardian can make an announcement about it and thereafter (i.e.

if the owner is not found) he on own it as the property of the insane person or the minor child, or give it away as alms on behalf of the owner. 2581. If during the year in which a person is making an announcement (about something having been lost and found) he loses all hope of finding the owner of the thing, and wishes to give it away as alms, it is difficult that his action in this behalf may be in order. 2582.

If the property perishes during the year in which the person who found it is making an announcement about it, and he has been negligent in looking after it, or has been extravagant, he should compensate the owner for it. However, if he has not been negligent or extravagant, it is not obligatory for him to pay anything. 2583.

If the property which bears a mark and whose value reaches one dirham is found at a place about which it is known that the owner of the property will not be found by means of announcement he can give it to the indigent persons as alms on behalf of the owner on the very first day and it is not necessary for him to wait till the year ends. 2584.

If a person finds a thing and takes possession of it under the impression that it is his own property, but learns later that it is not his property he should make announcement for one year. 2585. At the time of making announcement it is not necessary for the person who finds the lost thing to tell what kind of thing it is. On the other hand it is sufficient if he says that he has found a thing like that. 2586.