Using Things Carried in by a Flood

Question

In a flood many things, livestock and so on, come floating along. May one use them when it is not known whose they are and where they are from?

Answer

It is not permitted to use them; as with found property, the owner is to be searched for and they are to be handed over to him. However, if he himself is poor and a proper recipient of sadaqa, he may use them himself as well; but if the owner comes and makes a demand, the ruling is that he must pay their value from his own pocket.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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