What is the ruling if a fish caught from a river or spring contains a pearl?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Lost-and-Found Property
Primary text
If the fish is caught from a source other than the sea, such as a river or spring, the ruling is that anything found inside it, whether a pearl or otherwise, is considered lost property. This is based on the customary understanding that such items originate only in the sea. An alternative opinion holds that the pearl belongs to the fisherman based on the saying of Allah the Almighty: {And from both of them you eat tender meat and extract ornaments which you wear} [Fatir: 12].
Supporting text
There is an alternative opinion that the pearl belongs to the fisherman based on the saying of Allah the Almighty: {And from both of them you eat tender meat and extract ornaments which you wear} [Fatir: 12].