If a stray animal is found which is not in anyway endangered...

If a stray animal is found which is not in anyway endangered, then one should not take it into custody. But if it faces any danger, then it can be possessed with the intention to return it to its owner if found. If the owner is not found, then Hakime Shara' has to authorise its use. This chapter also deals with non­living objects, found in the sacred precincts of Haram or outside, basing the guidelines on the value of the object.

Chapter Seven: ­Kitab Al­faraidh It is an elaborate chapter dealing with the laws of inheritance. Heirs are divided in three categories: (1) Parents, children, grandchildren (when the children are not present). (2) Grandparents, brothers and sisters (and in their absence, their children). (3) Uncles, aunts (both paternal and maternal) and their children. The above heirs are by nasab (i.e. consanguinity). There are heirs who inherit by Sabab (i.e. affinity) like husband and wife.

This chapter deals with various cases of succession in great detail. The testator does not have the right to will for more than one third of his or her estate, nor does he or she have any right to fix up the shares of his or her heirs. The estate devolves on the heirs according to Shariah. Chapter Eight: ­Kitab Al­qadha It is a chapter on judiciary, with elaborate sets of laws. There are laws governing the appointment of judges, their rights, their emoluments, and also about disqualifications.

In Fiqh, it is stipulated that a Judge must be an acknowledged Mujtahid. Chapter Nine: ­Kitab Al­shahadah About the witnesses, who constitute the evidence to substantiate a claim. The onus of providing the evidence does not rest on the defendant. The chapter also explains how, in certain cases, the defendant may be called upon to take an oath. Chapter Ten: ­Kitab Al­hudood & Ta'zeerat Deals with punishment and retribution. These are of two types: hudood and tazeerat.

Hudood are fixed punitive measures prescribed for specified offences, like sodomy, false accusation of fornication, drinking alcohol etc., stealing, and belligerency and so on. Tazeerat are such retributive measures which may vary according to the decision reached by the judge who may aggravate or mitigate the sentence. Chapter Eleven: ­Kitab Al­qisas It is a chapter on requitals.

An elaborate discussion is carried out about the crimes committed advertently or inadvertently, and in each case the extent of requital is prescribed.