It is narrated from Nafi that a man found a lost item (luqata), brought it to Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), and asked: What do you say about this matter? Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: Ask the people and announce it. The man said: I have already asked and announced. Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: Do it again. The man said: I have already asked and announced. Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: I will never order you to eat it; if you wished, you would not have taken it.

Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said: In our view, the ruling is that if a slave finds lost property (luqatah) and spends it before the appointed period, that is, before one year has passed, then it remains his responsibility. Now, when its owner comes, the master of the slave should pay the value of the lost property, or hand over the slave. If the slave spends it after the appointed period, then it remains a debt upon him; when he is freed, it should be taken from him. For the time being, nothing can be taken, nor is it obligatory for the master to pay it.