It is narrated from Sulayman bin Yasar that Thabit bin Dhahhak Ansari found a camel in Harrah (Harrah is a land with black stones near Madinah), he tied it with a rope and informed Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Announce it three times. Thabit said: I was compelled due to checking on my land. Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Leave it where you found that camel.

It is narrated from Sa'id bin al-Musayyib that Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, was sitting with his back against the Ka'bah and said: Whoever picks up a lost item is himself astray.

Ibn Shihab used to say that during the time of Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), the lost camels that were found were left as they were; they would give birth to offspring, and no one would touch them. When the time of Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) came, he ordered that they should be announced, then sold, and their price kept in the public treasury (Bayt al-Mal). When the owner came, it should be given to him.