What is the ruling on taking control of government lands that were designated for grazing and were reclaimed and cultivated during a period of chaos, and what is the criterion for applying the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Whoever revives a land, it is his"?
It is permissible to reclaim barren land by acquiring ownership through excavation, construction, or water irrigation, based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "Whoever revives dead land, it belongs to him, and an oppressive vein has no right." Barren land is that which is free from inviolable ownership or is not designated for the interests of a nearby village, such as its roads and pastures. If the land is close to inhabited areas and serves as a pasture for its people, it is not permissible to reclaim it. However, if it is far from inhabited areas and does not relate to the interests of its people, then it is permissible to reclaim it.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- 16336
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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