do I support him when he is an oppressor?” He replied, “Prevent him from committing oppression; that is how you support him.”

Muslim narrated a similar report from Jābir (1).

In the two Sahīhs (2), Al-Barā ibn Āzib reported: “The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—commanded us to do seven things and forbade us seven things. He commanded us to visit the sick, follow funeral processions, invoke Allah’s mercy upon one who sneezes, honor an oath—or the person who swore it—accept invitations, support the wronged, [and spread greetings of peace]. He forbade us gold rings, drinking from silver vessels, padded saddlecloths, and wearing silk, garments woven with silk, heavy silk brocade, and brocade.”

If this person who knows where it is refuses to disclose its location, he may be punished by imprisonment or other means until he reveals it. This is because he has withheld a duty that became binding (3) upon him and cannot be discharged by a substitute; he is therefore punished as explained above. It is not permissible (4) to punish him for this unless it is known that he possesses such knowledge.

This is a general principle applying to matters handled by governors, judges, and others: anyone who refuses (5) an obligatory word or deed may be dealt with accordingly. This does not amount to demanding from a man a duty incumbent upon someone else, nor to punishing him for another person’s betrayal (6), such that it would fall under Allah’s words, “No bearer of burdens shall bear another’s burden” [Al-Anām: 164] [أ/ق 38], or under the Prophet’s—peace and blessings be upon him—words, “Take heed! No offender commits an offense except