He replied:

Widespread fear that prevents the use of property is classed among heaven-sent calamities. If crops are destroyed by such a calamity, should the rent be reduced to account for the loss, just as the price of fruit is reduced? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) expressly prescribed this in the authentic hadith narrated by Muslim:

“If you sell fruit to your brother and a calamity strikes it, it is not lawful for you to take any of your brother’s money. On what grounds would any of you take his brother’s money without right?”

Scholars hold two opinions on whether a reduction should be granted when crops are destroyed before the lessee has had the opportunity to harvest them. The opinion more consistent with the explicit texts and established principles is that it should be granted. Allah knows best.

He was asked:

Is leasing out a land grant valid or not?

He replied:

Leasing out a land grant is valid. We know of no Muslim scholar whose opinions are relied upon in issuing fatwas who has declared it invalid. Nor do we know of any fair-minded scholar who has declared it invalid, except that we have heard reports of some people relating differing opinions on the matter: one permitting it, another prohibiting it, and a third permitting it for one year only.

Muslims have continually leased out such grants, and no one has issued a fatwa prohibiting this except some people of the present age, because of a misconception that occurred to them: they believed that the recipient of a land grant was in the same position as