Regarding the purchase of land that has no buildings on it, there is nothing wrong with it.
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Another questioner : Regarding the purchase of land that has no buildings on it, these are lands that have been divided and allocated by the state, with services running through them, such as lighting and sewage, and so on. Many of us buy these lands. One’s intention may be to invest in the land, build on it, and then sell it. Or one’s intention may be, if the market is good and the land price rises, to sell the land, even if there is no building or any cultivation on it. Is this form of sale permissible?
The Shaykh : The matter is so clear that it makes me ask: What is the reason for such a question? Therefore, I fear that there is something there that has not been clarified. Otherwise, the issue is very, very clear. Is there really something hidden that has not yet been explained? Is there a problem with these sales?
The questioner : We believe, if Allah wills, that it is lawful. We see nothing wrong with it!
The Shaykh : That is correct.
The questioner : But some people also...
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Perhaps there is another aspect to the question. One might monopolize the land, or wait a long time, perhaps a year or more, until the increase is convincing. Or perhaps he does not need the money now, so he delays?
The Shaykh : You do not want to say "the increase is convincing," but rather "satisfying." Yes, this is not called, my brother, monopolization. What is trade? Trade is buying a thing in the season of cheapness to sell it in the season of high prices. Otherwise, the traders would have died if not for this. This is trade. But monopolization applies to the necessities of human life and sustenance. In that case, the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) applies:Sunan Ibn Majah 2154Sahih (Darussalam) meaning: except for a sinner, Sunan Ibn Majah 2154Sahih (Darussalam) meaning: except for a sinner. As for one who buys land and leaves it for years until its prices rise, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It is like any other thing that is not among the necessities of life. So now, the problem is clear, and there is no problem, praise be to Allah.
The Shaykh : The matter is so clear that it makes me ask: What is the reason for such a question? Therefore, I fear that there is something there that has not been clarified. Otherwise, the issue is very, very clear. Is there really something hidden that has not yet been explained? Is there a problem with these sales?
The questioner : We believe, if Allah wills, that it is lawful. We see nothing wrong with it!
The Shaykh : That is correct.
The questioner : But some people also...
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Perhaps there is another aspect to the question. One might monopolize the land, or wait a long time, perhaps a year or more, until the increase is convincing. Or perhaps he does not need the money now, so he delays?
The Shaykh : You do not want to say "the increase is convincing," but rather "satisfying." Yes, this is not called, my brother, monopolization. What is trade? Trade is buying a thing in the season of cheapness to sell it in the season of high prices. Otherwise, the traders would have died if not for this. This is trade. But monopolization applies to the necessities of human life and sustenance. In that case, the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) applies:
No one hoards but a sinner.
لا يحتكر إلا خاطئNo one hoards but a sinner.
لا يحتكر إلا خاطئ
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.