Section. Reviving uncultivated land (ihyāʾ al-mawāt, the revival of barren land) is permissible on two conditions: first, the reviver must be a Muslim; and second, the land must be freehold that has never been subject to another Muslim’s ownership. The act of revival is whatever local custom regards as bringing the land into productive use.

Making surplus water available becomes obligatory under three conditions: (1) the water is more than the owner’s personal need; (2) someone else needs it for himself or for his animals; and (3) the water is of a type that is naturally replenished, such as that drawn from a well or a flowing spring.

Section. A charitable endowment (waqf) is valid when three conditions are met: (1) the endowed property is something whose benefit can be taken while its substance remains; (2) it is assigned to an existing principal beneficiary with a line of succession that will not come to an end; and (3) it is not dedicated to an unlawful purpose. Thereafter, the waqf is governed by the founder’s stipulations, whether he sets precedence, postponement, equality, or preference among beneficiaries.

Section. Everything that may lawfully be sold may likewise be given as a gift (hiba). A gift does not become binding until the recipient takes possession; once he has done so, the donor may not retract it unless he is the recipient’s father. If a person grants another property by way of ʿumrā or ruqbā, it belongs to the grantee and, after him, to his heirs.

Section. Whoever finds lost property (luqaṭa) in open country or on a roadway may either pick it up or leave it; picking it up is preferable if he is confident that he can fulfil its requirements. If he does take it, he must ascertain six particulars: its container, its outer wrapping, its tie, its type, its number, and its weight. He must then safeguard it in a manner appropriate to its value. Should he wish to assume ownership, he must announce it for one full year at the entrances of the mosques and in the place where he found it. If no owner comes forward, he may take possession of it, provided he remains liable for it. Lost property is of four kinds: (1) that which endures permanently—this is its ruling; (2) that which perishes, such as fresh food—in this case the finder is given the choice between