Registration of land in the ownership column suffices as proof of ownership

Question

Question: A certain plot of land is in Zayd’s name, while Khalid and ‘Umar hold possession of it. After Khalid’s death, the son of Khalid’s wife who is not from Khalid — that is, Khalid’s stepson — took possession of the land on Khalid’s behalf. Now, regarding this land, each of them — Zayd, ‘Umar and Khalid’s stepson — claims that it is his land. Zayd says: “Since the time of our fathers and grandfathers we have been recorded in the government papers, so it is mine.

Answer

If that land is in Zayd’s name and his name is entered in the government papers in the ownership column, then no further proof is needed for him. Khalid’s and ‘Umar’s possession of it without establishing ownership is unwarranted.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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