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It makes no difference whether a Muslim forcibly seizes property from another Muslim, a protected non-Muslim from another protected non-Muslim, a Muslim from a protected non-Muslim, or a protected non-Muslim from a Muslim, for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Whoever wrongs a protected non-Muslim or a person covered by a treaty will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance can be detected from a distance of five hundred years’ travel.”

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Forcible seizure involves both a right belonging to Allah Most High and a right belonging to the person whose property was seized. To uphold Allah’s right, the offender must undergo disciplinary punishment and imprisonment as the judge deems appropriate, so that people are deterred from violating Allah’s prohibitions. The victim’s pardon does not absolve him of this punishment.

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If the offender is a child who has not reached puberty, he is exempt from the disciplinary punishment required to uphold Allah’s right, for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The pen has been lifted from three”—and he mentioned among them “the child until he reaches puberty.” This means that the child incurs neither sin nor culpability before Allah Most High. Since sin and culpability are lifted from him, discretionary punishment and discipline are likewise waived. It has also been said that the ruler should discipline him as a child is disciplined at school. He is nevertheless held accountable for the right of the person whose property was seized.

There is disagreement concerning a child who is too young to understand. One view is that no compensation is due for any damage he causes to property or any injuries entailing blood money, as with a mute animal whose