What is the ruling regarding a person finding their stolen property in the possession of another party?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Usurpation

Book 22 · Issue 11 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The property belongs to the finder, and he takes possession of it. This is based upon the Hadith of Samura, reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): 'Whoever finds his property with a man, he has the greater right to it, and the buyer follows the one who sold it to him.' Musa bin Al-Sa'ib, who narrated this tradition, is trustworthy.