Heavenly Jewels

picked up. Rule- It is Mustahab to pick up something with the intention of finding if s owner and returning it. If it is feared that you will keep it yourself and not search for the owner then to leave it is better. However it becomes impermissible to pick it up if it is unanimously feared that you will not return it to if s owner and Haraam ifyou pick it up for yourself. Picking it up for yourself will be like unjustly snatching a person' s wealth. (Durre-Mukhtaar) Rule- Luqt is anAmaanat (trust) in the hands ofthe person who picks it up meaning if it becomes ruined then Taawaan (compensation) will not be given on condition that he made a person a witness at the time of picking it up. Meaninghe says to thewitness, "Ifanyperson searches for his lost obj ect send him to me". In the situation that he discreetly lifted it and did notmake a person a witness then Taawaan will be given in the case ofthe Luqt being destroyed. Yes if there was no one present at the time of picking it up or it is feared that if a person is made witness, a Zaalim will snatch it away, then there is no compensation incurred in both cases. (Bahrur-Raaiq) Rule-:- It i s necessary on the person who picks up the lost object to publicize and announce in musj ids, complexes and other public places that he has the Luqt until the Ghaalib Gumaan (overwhelming thought) is that the owner will not be searching for it. After this period expires the finder has the choice keeping the Luqt in his safe keeping, to give it to ifs owner whenever he comes to take it back or give it away in charity. Hence, when the owner comes to ask for his property and it is present then he should take it and if it is ruined then he is to be compensated. (Alamghiri) · Rule- If a child comes across luqt and picks it up then his wali should publicize and announce it. Thereafter , if whereabouts of the owner is not gained and the child himself is a destitute, then the guardian should give the obj ect in charity to him. If the owner comes after a while and asks for his possession then the guardian is to give compensation. (Bahrur-Raaiq) 261