Khums: Can a Village Sell Abandoned Pasture Grass for Public Needs?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Khums: Can a Village Sell Abandoned Pasture Grass for Public Needs?

English:

Question #1036:

There is a village that faces a shortage of pastures and agricultural lands. This village used to provide its public expenses through the sale of pasture grasses. This has continued after the Islamic Revolution but now the authorities prevent such action. Considering that the residents of this village are economically poor and that the pasture has been abandoned (became bā’ir), does the consultative assembly of the village have the right to prevent the residents from selling pasture grasses to provide the public finances needed for the village?

Answer #1036:

The grasses of the public, natural pastures with no prior private property are not owned by anyone in particular and no one is allowed to sell them. But it is permissible for the person who is appointed by the government to administer the affairs of the village to take an amount of money for the public benefit of the village from those permitted to graze their livestock in these pastures.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Khums