up to His words: “while you know.” [al-Baqara: 188]

Concerning the property of orphans, He says:

“Do not consume their wealth along with your own. Indeed, that is a great sin.” [al-Nisā’: 2]

He also says:

“Woe to those who give less than is due” [al-Mutaffifīn: 1], “who, when they take a measure from people, take in full” [al-Mutaffifīn: 2], “but when they give by measure or weight to them, give less than is due.” [al-Mutaffifīn: 3]

If this severe warning applies to those who give short measure and weight, what, then, of someone who appropriates and takes everything?

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Whoever wrongfully takes a handspan of land will, on the Day of Resurrection, be made to wear it around his neck from seven earths.”

In his well-known sermon delivered in Mecca on the day after the Day of Sacrifice during the Farewell Pilgrimage, he said:

“Indeed, your blood, your property, and your honour are inviolable among you, as sacred as this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this city of yours. Have I conveyed the message? Have I conveyed the message? Have I conveyed the message?”

He ﷺ also said:

“A Muslim’s property is not lawful to take except with his willing consent.”

He ﷺ said:

“Whoever appropriates a Muslim’s right by means of his oath, Allah forbids Paradise to him and condemns him to the Fire”—to the end of the hadith.

He ﷺ also said:

“Every Muslim is inviolable to another Muslim: his blood, his honour, and his property.”

As for consensus, it is necessarily known in the religion of the Muslim community that taking and appropriating people’s property without right is forbidden: it is neither lawful nor permissible. Whoever declares it lawful and permissible is therefore a disbeliever whose blood may lawfully be shed. He is to be called upon to repent and, unless he does so, is to be put to death.