Section
It has also been said that the courtyard is not to be partitioned among the heirs, even if each would receive a useful share; only the rooms are to be partitioned. This is Mutarrif’s view and his interpretation of Mālik’s statement: “The courtyard is not to be partitioned among the heirs, even if it admits of partition.” The first view is sounder. Mālik’s statement is understood as referring to the open area of a forecourt, or to the courtyard of a house which they left jointly held when partitioning the rooms, although it could have been partitioned together with them as a whole; or to a courtyard which they inherited after the rooms had already been partitioned. Sahnūn held that if the rooms had enclosures, the courtyard was not to be partitioned; otherwise, it was. Where the rooms had enclosures, he treated the courtyard like a forecourt, which may be partitioned only by mutual agreement. Success comes from Allah Most High.
Section
Forecourts fall into two categories:
A forecourt situated in front of people’s houses beside the road may not be partitioned, even if they all agree to do so, because the general public has a right to it and benefits from it when crowds cause congestion. If they partition it, the partition must be annulled and the forecourt restored to its former condition. Asbagh held that such a partition is impermissible at the outset, but that once it has taken place, it is not annulled, in view of the benefit people derive from it on certain occasions. The first view is sounder and preferable.
The other category is a forecourt situated between people’s houses, away from the road, from which no passerby derives any benefit. If its owners all agree to partition it, they may do so. Ibn al-Qāsim said that they may partition it on whatever terms they mutually agree upon. Ibn Wahb and Ibn Nāfiʿ narrated from Mālik that they should partition it on the basis of their respective houses. If any of them refuses partition, however, it is not imposed upon them by judicial ruling.
Section
There are two opinions as to whether threshing floors and grazing grounds may be partitioned. There is no difference