Where should lost items (luqatah) be announced?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Lost-and-Found Property
Primary text
The announcement of lost items must take place in public gatherings, such as marketplaces, and at the entrances of mosques and congregational mosques, specifically at the times when people assemble, such as after prayers in the mosques. This is mandated because the objective is to publicize the lost item and make its owner apparent. This practice must adhere to places where people gather. Evidence for this practice includes the statement of Umar, who commanded the finder of a lost item to announce it at the door of the mosque.
Supporting text
The lost item should not be announced inside the mosque itself because the mosque was not established for this purpose. Evidence against announcing it inside the mosque is the hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah, stating that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever hears a man announcing a lost item in the mosque, let him say: May Allah not return it to you, for the mosques were not built for this."