مسائل المنتخبه (Articles Of Islamic Acts) - الخوئي، السيد أبوالقاسم - الصفحة ٥٤٢ - Lost Property Found

himself he can ask another person to make the announcement, if he is satisfied that he will perform the duty in this behalf.
٢٥٧٧. If the person who finds such a thing makes announcement for one year but the owner of the property does not turn up he (the person who has found the property) should act as follows:
(i) If he has found that thing at a place other than the Haram of Makkah he can retain it himself, or keep it for its owner so that he may give it to him when he appears, or give it as alms to indigent persons on behalf of the owner.
(ii) If he has found that thing in the Haram the obligatory precaution is that he should give it away as alms.
٢٥٧٨. If the person who finds such a thing makes announcement for one year and the owner of the property does not turn up and he (i.e. the person who has found thething) looks after it for the sake of its owner so that he may deliver it to him as and when he is found and in the meantime it perishes and he has not been negligent inlooking after it. and has also not been extravagant, he is not responsible. However, if he has appropriated it himself he is responsible. And in case he gives it as alms onbehalf of the owner he (the owner) has the option in endorsing the giving of alms or demanding compensation for his property. And the spiritual reward for the alms is enjoyedby him, who gives the alms.
٢٥٧٩. If a person finds something and does not make intentionally an announcement according to the orders narrated above, he not only commits a sin but it is stillobligatory on him to make an announcement about it.
٢٥٨٠. If an insane person or a minor child finds something his guardian can make an announcement about it and thereafter (i.e. if the owner is not found) he on ownit as the property of the insane person or the minor child, or give it away as alms on behalf of the owner.