788 – ʿUrwah reports from ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever cultivates land that belongs to no one is most entitled to it.” ʿUrwah added, “ʿUmar issued judgment to that effect during his caliphate.” Narrated by al-Bukhārī. (1)

Vocabulary of the ḥadīth:
• “Whoever cultivates (ʿammara) land”: the verb may be read with a doubled or single mīm. “Cultivating” here means reviving barren land by whatever methods local custom recognises for bringing dead (būr) soil back to life.
• “He is most entitled to it”: i.e., he becomes its rightful owner and possessor.