Sanan bin Abi Jameelah found an abandoned child during the time of Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). He said: I brought him to Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: Why did you pick him up? I said: He would have died lying there, so I picked him up. Meanwhile, Sayyiduna Umar’s (may Allah be pleased with him) chief said: O Commander of the Faithful! I know this person, he is a righteous man. Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Is he righteous? He said: Yes. Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Go, that abandoned child is free, you will receive his wala (right of inheritance/loyalty), and we will provide for his expenses.

Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) said that the abandoned child will remain free, and his wala will go to the Muslims; they will be his heirs, and they will pay his blood money on his behalf.