The denial of owner's right in the acquisitive possession - Analytical study in the light of Islamic jurisprudence

Abstract

It is well known that in the area of acquisitive possession, if possession lasts a certain period with specific conditions, it is a self-sustaining reason for acquiring ownership. However, in reading the text of Articles 935 and 966 of the Civil Code of Qatar, it is clear that the Qatari legislator adopted a system of prescription different from the Latin system in two things: 1.The Qatari legislator did not consider possession as a source of ownership, but rather as proof of it. 2.The Qatari legislator required the possessor to deny the owner's right before ruling on the ownership of the disputed object, and this is what the research aims to discuss. Knowing that the Egyptian legislator as well as the French did not require denial of this right, the question raised is from where the Qatari legislator came-up with this system, what is its importance, and what are the problems it raises? The importance of this research is reflected in the special nature of the acquisitive possession in Qatari civil law, which is influenced by Islamic jurisprudence on the one hand and positive legislation on the other, and this raises some problems, because the acquisitive possession as a source of ownership is not recognized by Islamic jurisprudence as an attack on the ownership of others. The passage of time is not a reason to gain ownership. However, Islamic jurisprudence adopts another system close to the acquisitive possession, namely the non-hearing system, which over time considers possession merely evidence that the possessor is the owner. This is where the problem arises in Qatari law, and if it has stipulated denial influenced by Islamic jurisprudence, which considers continued possession as evidence of ownership and not as a source, then why is the possessor exempt from disclosing the reason for his possession? That is the main argument of this this research.