until he obtains enough to sustain himself and meet his living needs, then he must stop. Whatever is obtained by asking beyond these cases is unlawful gain for the one who takes it.”

Another way to bring about reconciliation is for one or both groups to waive some of their claims against the other concerning bloodshed and property:

“But whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah. Indeed, He does not love the wrongdoers.”

Another way to bring about reconciliation is to adjudicate between them justly. The lives and property each group has destroyed are assessed, and their respective claims are offset against one another:

“The free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female.”

If anything remains due to one group from the other, it should be sought fairly and paid graciously. If the number of those killed or the amount of property is unknown, what is unknown is treated as nonexistent.

If one group claims an additional amount from the other, either it has the other swear an oath denying that claim, or it produces evidence. Alternatively, if the other refuses to swear, judgment is rendered either by referring the oath back to the claimant or on the basis of the refusal to swear.

If one of the two groups transgresses by refusing to uphold the justice required of it and to comply with the command of Allah and His Messenger, and fights to maintain that refusal, or seeks to fight the other group and destroy lives and property, as has been their custom, then, if it cannot be restrained except by killing, it is to be fought until it returns to Allah’s command. If, however, it can be compelled to act justly without fighting,