Q:
I possess a flock of sheep. More than a year ago, a skinny goat joined my flock while it was returning from the pasture and it is still with us until today. I asked the neighboring owners of sheep and in the market but nobody claimed that they lost a goat of that description.
As I purchase fodder and barley for my sheep, the goat has become fat and given birth to a young goat.Dear respected shaykh, is it allowable for me to dispose of this goat - that is, to sell it for instance? Am I the owner of its young sheep? If it is allowable to sell it, who deserves its price? If I want to possess it, which is my desire, should I bring someone to assess its price? Should its young ram be evaluated with it? Should I assess it in its previous or current status? Answer us, may Allah reward you with the best.
A:
If the reality is as you have mentioned and that you announced it for one year and nobody asked about it, you can posses it. Then, if (Part No. 11; Page No. 241) its owner comes and gives its actual description, you should give it and its offspring to him if they are still present, or pay him the value.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.