It is narrated from Marwan bin al-Hakam (may Allah have mercy on him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The land is Allah's land and the servants are Allah's servants, so whoever brings dead (uncultivated) land to life has the greater right to it."
Imam al-Tabarani (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "This hadith is narrated from Marwan only with this chain; Hajjaj bin al-Sha'ir (may Allah have mercy on him) is alone in narrating it."