it is possible for him to do so; because his announcement throughout the year is the cause for ownership, and the ruling ceases upon the cessation of its cause, regardless of whether it ceases due to an excuse or otherwise. The second view is that he shall announce it in the second year and then gain ownership of it, because he did not delay the announcement beyond the time it was possible for him to perform it, so it is similar to the case where he announced it in the first year.

940 - Issue: He said: "If its owner comes, otherwise it is like the rest of his wealth."

In summary, if one announces the lost property (luqata) for a year and it is not identified, the finder gains ownership of it, and it becomes part of his wealth, like his other properties, regardless of whether the finder is wealthy or poor. Similar views were narrated from Umar, Ibn Mas'ud, and Aisha, may Allah be pleased with them. This is also the position of Ata, al-Shafi'i, Ishaq, and Ibn al-Mundhir. It was also narrated from Ali, Ibn Abbas, al-Sha'bi, al-Nakha'i, Tawus, and Ikrimah. Malik, al-Hasan ibn Salih, al-Thawri, and the People of Opinion (Ashab al-Ra'y) said: He should give it away as charity, and if its owner comes, he gives him the choice between the reward and the liability, because it was narrated that Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said regarding the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that he was asked about lost property, and he said: "Announce it for a year." It was also narrated: "For three years, then if its owner comes, otherwise give it in charity. If its owner comes and is pleased with the reward, otherwise he is liable for it." And because it is the property of an inviolable person who did not consent to the loss of his ownership over it, and no cause was found from him that would necessitate that, therefore his ownership does not cease, unlike other cases. They said: He does not have the right to claim ownership of it, except that Abu Hanifa said: He may do so if he is poor and not among the near relatives (dhawi al-qurba), due to what was narrated by Iyad ibn Himar al-Mujashi'i that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever finds lost property, let him have it witnessed by a just person, and let him not conceal it or keep it hidden. If he finds its owner, let him return it to him; otherwise, it is the property of Allah, which He gives to whom He wills." Narrated by al-Nasa'i. They said: That which is attributed to Allah Almighty is only possessed by one who is entitled to receive charity. Hanbal transmitted a similar opinion from Ahmad, but al-Khallal rejected it and said: