Is Muzara’A (Share Cropping) Lawful From Qur’Anic Perspective?

Muzara’a is basically a form of partnership for cultivation of land, between landlord and agricultural labour.It may take different forms depends upon the terms and conditions set by fuqahas.From the very beginning in Islamic economic literature, its validity is a controversial issue.The discussion in this regard is clearly divided in two schools of thoughts, one which is recognized it and the other consider it as unlawful.The axis of reasoning in this regard is almost based on Hadith, form which both schools got the material for their claim.The building of muzara’a is based on the concept of private ownership of land, which is antecedent and the agreement of muzara’a is posterior.It is assumed that, both Qur’an and Hadith admit the concept of private ownership of land.Even the opponents of this act never raised any question in this context.Their main claim is based on some Hadith in which the act of muzara’a is being prohibited.The real fact is that, Qur’an does not recognized the concept of private ownership of land.And the same situation in with Hadith.Chronological order review of related Hadith, can proved this fact, which is one of the basic criteria of judgment of Hadith set by fuqahas.Since discussion on Hadith in this context is quite lengthy and cannot be covered in a paper, hence all attention is concentrated on Qur’an.In this paper effort is being made to point out that, Qur’an does not acknowledge this concept and the arguments given in this regard from Qur’an are just based on deceptions.Negations of this concept automatically demolish the building of muzara’a.Hence at least from Qur’an legality of muzara’a cannot be proved.