Special Rules Regarding Luqtah in The Haram (Sanctuary) Of Makkah
It is (especially ) prohibited to pick up a Luqtah in Makkah except to announce about it; based on the statements of Allah’s Messenger (SAW):
1. “No one may pick up a Luqtah in Makkah, except the one who makes the announcement about it”. (Bukhari)
2. “No one may pick it up (in Makkah) except the one who announces about it”. (Bukhari)
3. “Dropped articles are not permissible to be used except for the one who advertises it”. (Bukhari)
Public announcement:
The one who finds it, should first note its special characteristics which distinguish it from others. And protect it as he protects his own wealth, and it remains as a trust with him. Then he should spread the news of its discovery among the people, in the market and other places. And if its owner comes and is able to describe the article by its distinguishing features, it is permissible for the finder to hand it over to him.
And it is permissible to announce the discovery of a lost article in Al-Masjid Al-Haram in contrast to all other mosques. (See Fath-al-Bari: 5:88). It is preferable, however, to turn it in the government lost and found office which is reliable and well-known among the people. That is better for its protection and easier for people to refer to. The lost and found office is just inside the King Aziz door of Al-Masjid Al-Haram. Lost articles are registered and held there to be returned to their owners. If no one claims them, they are distributed among the poor people of Makkah.
Exception is made for food and for articles of insignificant value:
It is not necessary to advertise found food items, and it is permissible to eat them. Anas (R.A.) reported that the Prophet (SAW) passed by a date lying on the road. He (SAW) said:
“If I were not afraid of it being from the Sadaqah, I would have eaten it”. (Agreed upon)
Likewise, in case of paltry items like a whip or a rope , etc., the person can pick them up to make use of them.