A person found a ring on the ground two years ago and asked the neighbors if anyone had lost something, but no one claimed it. They kept the ring for all these years, and today they learned from a jeweler that it is worth $150. They are seeking guidance on what to do in this situation.
[AR_ID:1536]
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect him):
If the found item has no distinguishing marks that the owner can describe, such as unique coins or most manufactured goods, the finder may keep it even if its value exceeds a dirham. However, it is recommended to give it in charity on behalf of the owner.
If the found item has distinguishing marks, there are two scenarios:
First Scenario: If its value is less than a dirham, it is not obligatory to announce it or search for its owner, but it is not permissible to keep it, and it is obligatory to give it in charity on behalf of the owner.
Second Scenario: If its value is a dirham or more, it must be announced and searched for the owner for a full year. If the owner is not found and the item is outside the sacred precinct, the finder has two options:
First - To keep it for its owner, even by making a will, as long as they do not despair of returning it to them - they may benefit from it while preserving its original form.
Second - To give it in charity on behalf of its owner, and it is obligatory not to keep it.
The term dirham refers to an amount equivalent to 2.436 grams of silver.
Source: Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 2, Issues 767 to 770 + Official website.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may Allah protect him):
In general, if the found item is worth less than a dirham, it may be kept. If it is worth a dirham or more and has no distinguishing marks, it is recommended to give it in charity on behalf of its owner. If it has distinguishing marks, it must be announced and searched for the owner for a year. If the owner is found, it should be returned to them; otherwise, the finder may keep it with the intention of returning it if the owner is found or keep it as a trust without liability. It is recommended to give it in charity to the poor on behalf of the owner in this case. The legal dirham is approximately equivalent to 2.5 grams of 22-carat silver.
Source: Special Inquiry.
May you be successful in all good.