It is narrated from Sayyiduna Sa'id bin Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever revives barren land, it is his, and the one with an unjust root has no right."
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب إحياء الموات / 11772