What is the ruling on utilizing abandoned land for farming or creating basins in it, if its owner has traveled and cannot be contacted, and has no agent, and the land is registered in his name?
The land does not cease to be the property of its owner, even if he neglects its upkeep. What is owned through purchase, gift, or inheritance does not become owned by revival (i.e., making barren land productive) if it becomes ruined. This is by agreement of scholars, except for Malik's view regarding land that was originally owned by revival and then abandoned. It is not permissible to exploit owned land without the owner's permission; otherwise, the doer is considered a usurper.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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