The New World Order of Islam — Page 76
New World Order 76 nation and is often ruthlessly suppressed. Another theory is that, that which has no owner belongs to the first finder. This doctrine was very familiar to us as children. Whenever any of us found something lying about in a manner which indicated that it had either been lost or thrown away, we would appropriate it by repeating the formula, "He who finds keeps;" as if that justified all such appropriations. But the articles to which children apply this formula are generally of no value. The Holy Prophet sa was asked what was to be done with an ownerless article. He asked the questioner to explain what he meant. The questioner asked what was he to do if he came across a stray goat in the desert? The Holy Prophet sa said, "In that case you must call out for its owner, and if in spite of calling out for him you are unable to find him, you may appropriate the goat, for, if you will not do that, it will be devoured by a wolf". He was then asked what was to be done with a stray camel. He replied, "You have no concern with a stray camel; it can feed itself and look after itself, you should set it at liberty. " The questioner then said: "What am I to do, O Prophet sa of God, If I find a bag of money?" The Holy Prophet sa replied, "If you find a bag of money, take it up and continue to proclaim the fact till its owner appears and then restore it to him. " So, there is a different rule for different articles. If the article found is certain to be destroyed, it may be