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What is the ruling of Islamic law regarding a man who claims ownership of a part of a water well 27 years after it was dug and owned by another, basing his claim on ownership of land near the well since the time of his ancestors, and the presence of witnesses from his relatives? And what is the ruling of Islamic law if the owner of the well rejects these witnesses due to kinship and previous animosity? Are there any Sharia evidences regarding the impermissibility of claiming ownership after a certain period has passed, knowing that the well is owned by the government and the shaykh of the region?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

A person who has possessed a well and used it for a long time without dispute, and whose ownership is well-known and widespread, owns it with strong evidence that repels any new claims, and his possession is considered rightful. Therefore, if someone claims ownership after a long silence without a valid impediment, their claim will not be heard.

The defendant has the right to challenge the witnesses' testimonies, and it is up to the judge alone to accept or reject the testimony.

There is no authentic hadith that specifies a period after which a claim against the possessor is no longer restricted.

This matter can only be decided by a judge.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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