A Buffalo as Found Property

Question

About a year and a quarter ago a runaway buffalo came, which Zayd took into his care and kept with him, thinking that if its owner came he would return it to him. He kept mentioning it regularly to people coming and going, but so far no owner of it has come, nor could he find out about him. What is the ruling for him according to the Shariʿa? May he sell it or not?

Answer

Zayd is obliged to adopt the Sharʿi method of announcing found property; for now he is not permitted to sell it.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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