to take your wealth; rather, I send them to you to teach you your religion and the Sunnah of your Prophet. Whoever is treated otherwise should report it to me. By Him in Whose hand is my soul, I shall certainly exact retaliation against the offender on his behalf.”

Amr ibn al-Ās sprang up and said, “O Commander of the Faithful, if a Muslim is appointed to govern a people and disciplines them, would you really exact retaliation against him?”

He replied, “Yes, by Him in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, I shall certainly exact retaliation against him. I have seen the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, allow retaliation against himself. Take heed! Do not beat the Muslims and thereby humiliate them, nor withhold their rights and thereby drive them to disbelief.”

Reported by Imam Ahmad and others. This refers to a governor striking his subjects unlawfully. As for lawful striking, scholarly consensus holds that no retaliation applies, since it is obligatory, recommended, or permissible.

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Retaliation for affronts to honor is also prescribed. If a man curses another or supplicates against him, the latter may respond in kind. Likewise, if someone insults him, he may respond with an insult containing no falsehood. Forgiveness, however, is better.

Allah Most High says:

“The recompense for an evil deed is an evil deed like it. But whoever pardons and makes reconciliation—his reward is with Allah. Indeed, He does not love the wrongdoers.”

“And whoever defends himself after being wronged—there is no blame upon such people.”

And the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: