Is it permissible to pick wild herbs from private lands? Is it allowed to do so with the owners' consent without their permission? What if it is customary for people to tolerate this act, for example, if the herbs are mostly not edible and are fed to livestock and chickens? Or if people usually pay money to remove them or buy pesticides to destroy them or prevent their growth?
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may God protect him):
It is permissible to enter vast lands and pray in them, perform ablution from their water, and pick herbs from them, even if the owner's consent is unknown, and even if it is known that they dislike it or if the owner is a minor or insane. As for other lands that are not enclosed, such as gardens without walls or barriers, it is also permissible to enter them, pray in them, and pick herbs even if the owner's consent is unknown. However, if there is a suspicion of their dislike or if the owner is a minor, it is safer to avoid them. If the land is enclosed with a wall and gate, it is not permissible to enter without the owner's consent, although the prevailing custom may indicate permission.
Source: Minhaj al-Salihin - Vol. 1 - Conditions of the Prayer Place - Articles 542 + 544
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may God protect him):
It is permissible to pray in vast lands such as deserts, farms, and gardens that do not have walls built around them, as well as other permissible actions that are customary, such as walking through them, sitting, and sleeping in them. There is no need to inquire about their owners, regardless of whether they are competent or minors or insane. However, if there is a clear indication of their dislike or prohibition, such as placing something that prevents passersby from entering, all of the aforementioned actions would be problematic, except in very vast lands like deserts that are part of the village and its customary surroundings and grazing areas for animals, where it is likely permissible even with indications of dislike or prohibition.
Source: Tahrir al-Wasilah - Prayer - Conditions of Prayer - Articles 5 + 6
May you be successful in all good.