him, we waive execution in his case, for Allah, Exalted is He, says:

“Say to those who disbelieve: if they desist, what has previously occurred will be forgiven for them.” [al-Anfal 8:38]

This is general in meaning. There is also the hadith of Usamah (may Allah be pleased with him), concerning the polytheist whom Usamah pursued until he caught up with him. When he raised his sword over him, the man said, “There is no god but Allah,” yet Usamah killed him. The Prophet ﷺ was informed of this and said to him, “Did you kill him after he said, ‘There is no god but Allah’?” Usamah said, “Yes, Messenger of Allah; he only said it to seek protection.” He said, “Did you kill him after he said, ‘There is no god but Allah’?” Usamah said, “Yes.” He continued repeating this to him until Usamah said, “I wished that I had not embraced Islam until that day.” (1)

Although, as far as appears—and Allah knows best—the man said it merely to seek protection, there remained the possibility that he said it sincerely: when he saw death before him, he uttered it. This is not like one whose appointed time has come, for it is possible that the one able to kill him may refrain from doing so. Thus, it cannot be said that this contradicts the verse:

“But repentance is not for those who persist in evil deeds until, when death comes to one of them, he says, ‘Indeed, I repent now.’” [al-Nisa’ 4:18]

For it is possible that the one who has drawn his weapon against him may show him mercy and refrain from killing him. But once his appointed time has come, there is no longer any time for repentance.

Thus, if these highway robbers repent before they are apprehended, the prescribed punishment is waived from them.

Does the same apply to all prescribed punishments? Yes. If a person repents from any prescribed punishment before he is apprehended, it is waived from him. However, if he requests that it be carried out