What is the ruling on taking a vessel found in an uninhabited house and using it without searching for its owner?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A "Luqatah" (found object) is something found in a place not owned by its possessor, having been lost by its owner. Therefore, anything found in an inhabited or uninhabited house is not considered a Luqatah; rather, it belongs to the place, and a house usually has a known owner. Taking something found in an uninhabited house is considered an encroachment on another's property, unless it is exposed to loss, in which case it may be taken for safekeeping. It is not permissible to use it or to claim ownership of it, and whoever does so guarantees it to its owner.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/49354
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 49354
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy