Foundling (Laqit)

**Definition:** Al-Laqit (foundling): A child found abandoned in a street, mosque entrance, or similar - or who is lost from his family with no known lineage or guardian. **Ruling:** The child should not be left. Taking him and spending on him is a **communal obligation** (fard kifayah) - because taking him preserves his life. **Evidence:** - **Quran:** "And cooperate in righteousness and piety" [5:2] - the general verse indicates the obligation of taking the foundling **Property:** Whatever is found with him of property belongs to him - based on apparent possession. It is spent on him from it. If he has no property, he is spent on from the public treasury. **Religion:** The foundling is **free** and **Muslim** in all his rulings - unless found in disbelievers' land, in which case he is a disbeliever. **Lineage:** The foundling's lineage is established by acknowledgment of whoever claims him if it's possible he is from him. If more than one disputes over him with no proof, he is presented to physiognomists (qafah). **Custody:** The finder has most right to custody of the foundling, provided he is free, trustworthy, upright, and prudent. No custody for a disbeliever or corrupt person over a Muslim foundling. **Conditions for the Finder:** Sanity, adulthood, freedom, Islam (for Muslim foundling), uprightness, and prudence. Invalid: child finder, insane, slave, disbeliever (for Muslim), corrupt, or foolish.