Is the usurpation (ghasb) of immovable property, such as land and houses, legally valid?

Primary text

Usurpation of immovable property is legally valid. This is the explicit position of the Hanbali school (Madhab of Ahmad) and is maintained by his companions. Malik, Al-Shafi'i, and Muhammad ibn al-Hasan also hold this view. The evidence for this ruling is the Prophet's statement: "Whoever unjustly takes even a span of land, he will be made to encircle it with seven earths on the Day of Resurrection." Another narration states: "Whoever usurps a span of land." This indicates that land can be usurped and unjustly taken. Furthermore, anything guaranteed in a sale must also be guaranteed in usurpation, similar to movable property. It is also possible to establish control over land or a house in a manner that prevents the owner, such as residing in the house and barring the owner's entry, which assimilates it to taking a beast of burden or movable goods.