ʿAbd al-Razzaq transmitted from Maʿmar, from al-Zuhrī, who said: “We reflected on the Prophet’s words, ‘then hold the water until it reaches the walls,’ and found that the depth came to the ankles. They measured the very spot where the incident occurred and discovered that the water reached ankle height, so they adopted that as the standard by which each upstream owner’s priority is determined in turn.

Abū Dāwūd and others relate from ʿAmr ibn Shuʿayb that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, gave judgment concerning a flood in the valley of Mahzur—a well-known wadi in Medina—ordering that the owner of the upper land retain the flow until it reaches ankle depth, then release it to the land below.

If the water is privately owned, it is apportioned among the owners in proportion to their holdings, and each may dispose of his share as he wishes.

The Muslim leader may set aside pasture for the livestock maintained by the Bayt al-Māl—such as war-horses and zakāt camels—provided this does not burden the people by restricting their access. Ibn ʿUmar reported that the Prophet reserved al-Naqīʿ for the Muslims’ horses. Accordingly, the ruler may fence off grazing land on uncultivated terrain for zakāt camels, the mounts of combatants, livestock received as jizya, and stray animals whenever the need arises, so long as he does not impose hardship on the Muslims.