What are the possessor's options regarding found property if ownership is not established after the first year?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Lost-and-Found Property

Book 29 · Issue 4 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

There are two narrations regarding whether the possessor can give the property away as charity (*sadaqah*) or retain it indefinitely. A third possibility suggests that the possessor is obligated to hand the property over to the ruler (Hakim), similar to rulings concerning property that one is forbidden from picking up.