Reviving Barren Lands

This article tries to examine three problems concerning the revival of barren lands. Using four groups of traditions, the author first proves that barren lands naturally belong to infallible Imam (A). Then he examines how barren lands can be owned after being revived. Having examined four groups of traditions, he concludes that all lands absolutely remain in Imam's (A) ownership and the one who posseses the land should pay ojrat al-mesl [a rent for a similar land] if no specific rent has been determined by Imam for the land. Shiites however are exempted from this ruling. Third issue discussed by the author is that if someone revives a land and then leaves it and it becomes barren again if he has abandoned the land a second person who revives it again will have priority over the previous reviver. But if the first reviver has not abandoned the land and has only ignored working on the land he will be more eligible to this land.