they are rebels and wrongdoers; therefore the imam must write to them and ask what they hold against him. If they cite a genuine grievance, he removes it; if they advance a doubtful interpretation, he dispels it, in keeping with the Almighty’s words: “So reconcile the two parties” (Q 49:9).
Reconciliation is achieved in this manner. If what they object to is something the Law forbids, he abolishes it. If it is lawful yet has become unclear to them so that they think it opposes the truth, he sets forth the proof and explains its rationale. Should they then relent, return to the truth, and renew their obedience, he leaves them alone. If they refuse, he must fight them, and the populace must aid him, for Allah the Exalted says: “Fight the faction that transgresses until it returns to the command of Allah” (Q 49:9). Thus they are to be fought until their harm is repelled and their turmoil extinguished.
In waging war against them, the following rules must be observed:
- It is forbidden to attack them with indiscriminate weapons, such as devastating artillery.
- It is forbidden to kill their children, those who flee, their wounded, or anyone who has ceased fighting.
- Anyone captured from among them is to be detained until the sedition dies down.
- Their wealth is not to be treated as booty, for it remains their property just like the wealth of other Muslims. After the fighting ends and the strife subsides, whoever among them finds his property in another’s possession reclaims it. Whatever was lost during the hostilities is without compensation, and those killed on either side are not subject to retaliation.
Al-Zuhri said, “When the turmoil erupted while the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ were still numerous, they unanimously agreed that no retaliation would be taken for a life and no property would be seized on account of an interpretation of the Quran—except for what is recovered in its very form.” End quote.