What is the ruling regarding the disposition of unclaimed lost property (*luqtah*) held by a judge?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Judiciary

Book 62 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If the lost property is perishable, such as livestock, or involves ongoing maintenance costs, such as valuable goods, the judge must sell it and preserve the proceeds for its rightful owners. If the property is not perishable, such as money, the judge must keep it safe for its owners and mark it clearly for identification.