Agricultural land ownership in the Prophet’s era

(1 AH - 11 AH / 621 AD - 632 AD)

Abstract

The research titled ((Agricultural land ownership in the Prophet’s era) studies Islam’s interest in agriculture and agricultural ownership in terms of caring for the land, its cultivation, watering it, and setting the rules for its exploitation and construction, through studying some Qur’anic verses and Prophetic hadiths that emphasize working in agriculture to seek livelihood and setting conditions for ownership, sharing, and sharecropping. Reviving the dead land and sanctifying the lands of pastures, water and fire.
The research also revealed the most prominent agricultural monarchies in the Prophet’s era, which were formed before Islam in Yemen, Yathrib, Taif, and northern Hijaz (Khaybar, Banu al-Nadir, and Fadak). These properties were recognized before Islam. When Islam came, it approved this individual ownership and set a number of controls for it, emphasizing that ownership belongs to God, Glory be to Him, and that man is a successor on this land and his relationship with it is one of benefit. He is not permitted to oppress or cause harm to others. Although the Messenger (may God bless him and grant him peace) approved individual property and established what would guarantee its protection, he limited it in a way that is consistent with the principle of succession and staying away from luxury and extreme wealth, and that this individual property should be secured to secure the needs of the people.
The research also clarified the measures taken by the Messenger (may God bless him and grant him peace) regarding the lands that were conquered in northern Hijaz ((the lands of Khaybar and Banu al-Nadir and your delegation.))
The research touched on the measures taken by the Messenger (may God bless him and grant him peace) in allocating some herds to some of the Companions, tribal leaders, the oppressed and the needy, most of which was waste land. The Messenger (may God bless him and grant him peace) also made resources of general benefit to society, such as water, pastures and fire, property. It is common for Muslims, as the Hima lands ((pastures)) before Islam were private property of tribal leaders, and when Islam came, it prevented this phenomenon and made it public property for everyone. The research also dealt with the Ushri lands, which are the lands whose people surrendered to him peacefully, without war or fighting, and whose owners were imposed a ten and a half-tenth tax according to the method of irrigating them. Historical facts were also clarified about the Prophet’s (PBUH) interest in the dead land, which is the lands that did not belong to anyone, and Islam specified that One of the conditions for its ownership is to revive it and not neglect it. It is noted that most of the Prophet’s (may God’s prayers and peace be upon him) fiefdoms were from these lands.