his camels, cattle, and sheep. For his description of that group as transgressing is comparable to his description of certain rulers as self-serving and unjust, as in his saying:

“You will encounter self-serving conduct after me, so be patient until you meet me at the Cistern.”

And his saying, peace and blessings be upon him:

“After me there will be self-serving conduct and things you disapprove of.” They asked, “What do you command us to do, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “Give them their due, and ask Allah for what is due to you.”

There are other authentic hadiths to the same effect.

Thus, while mentioning their injustice, he commanded patience, the fulfilment of their rights, and that the wronged person ask Allah for what is due to him. He did not authorize the wronged person subjected to aggression to fight the aggressor in circumstances such as these, where fighting constitutes civil strife, as he did authorize fighting to repel an assailant, as when