‘Whoever has land should cultivate it. If he does not cultivate it, he should allow his brother to use it freely. If he does not do that, let him keep it.’” Another narration in the Sahīh adds, “and not lease it out.” Another narration in the Sahīh states, “He forbade leasing land.”

It is also established in both Sahīh collections that Jābir said:

“The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) forbade muhāqala, muzābana, selling future years’ produce, and sharecropping.”

Another narration in both Sahīh collections, transmitted by Zayd ibn Abī Unaysa from ‘Atā’, from Jābir, states:

“The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) forbade muhāqala, muzābana, sharecropping, and purchasing the fruit of date palms before it begins to ripen. Ripening means that it turns red or yellow, or that some of it becomes fit to eat. Muhāqala means selling the standing crop in a field for a specified measure of grain. Muzābana means selling dates on the palms for a number of wasqs of dried dates. Sharecropping means an arrangement for a third or a quarter of the crop, or something similar. Zayd said: I asked ‘Atā’ ibn Abī Rabāh, ‘Did you hear Jābir report this from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’”

These hadiths may be cited as evidence by those who prohibit leasing land and sharecropping, since they prohibit letting land, a term that encompasses both arrangements. For he said:

“Let him cultivate it or allow his brother to use it freely. If he does neither, let him keep it.”

Thus, he permitted only cultivating it oneself or allowing someone else to use it freely. He did not permit receiving compensation for its use, whether through a lease or through sharecropping. Those who permit sharecropping—but not leasing—say: What is meant by letting land is