A person who works in moving furniture found pieces of gold in the rubble, but they are damaged due to bombing. He does not know to whom they belong since he found them in the debris from the war and cannot identify the building they came from. What should he do with them? If he cannot find the owner, can he give them as charity? If he is in need, can he sell them to support his family?
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may God protect him):
- The term 'luqata' refers to any lost property that is not in the possession of anyone. It has specific rulings, including that it is not obligatory to return it to the religious authority, but it must be announced and other rulings can be reviewed in Question 2850.
Source: Fiqh for Expatriates, Definition of Some Terms in Fatwas, No. 55 + Official Website + Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 2, Luqata + Rulings on Luqata, M 762 + 765
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may God protect him):
- The term 'luqata' refers to any lost property that is not in the possession of anyone. It has specific rulings, including that it is not obligatory to return it to the religious authority, but it must be announced and other rulings can be reviewed in Question 2850.
Source: Tahrir al-Wasilah, Luqata + Non-Animal Luqata, M 4
May you be successful in all good.