How are solid minerals (*al-ma'adin al-jamidah*) acquired?

Chapter on Zakat on Gold and Silver

Al-Mughni

Book of Zakat

Book 8 · Issue 1 · Bab 5

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Solid minerals are acquired through the ownership of the land in which they are situated, as they are considered a part of the land, similar to fixed soil and stones. This contrasts with buried treasure (*al-rikaz*), which is deposited within the earth but not part of it. Evidence for this principle is derived from the narration concerning Bilal ibn al-Harith al-Muzani, whom the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) granted land, including any mountain or mineral within it. Later, Bilal's descendants sold part of the land to Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, and when two mineral deposits were found, they argued they only sold the agricultural land, not the mineral. Umar reviewed the original grant document, calculated the expenses incurred for extraction, settled accounts with them, and returned the surplus. Consequently, what is found within owned land belongs to the owner of the location. If someone discovers a mineral in unowned (mawat) land, the first person to work on it has the primary right, provided they continue working; if they abandon it, another may work it. If the owner of the location is known, the mineral belongs to that owner.