If the aggressor is a group, they deserve punishment. If their conduct cannot be stopped except by fighting them, they are to be fought. If it can be stopped by lesser measures, they are to receive a punishment that prevents them from oppression, aggression, and breaking covenants and solemn agreements. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“On the Day of Resurrection, a banner will be raised at the backside of every betrayer, in proportion to his betrayal, and it will be said: ‘This is the betrayal of so-and-so.’”

Allah Most High has said:

“But whoever is granted any pardon by his brother, then the claim should be pursued fairly and payment made to him graciously. This is a concession and a mercy from your Lord. But whoever transgresses after that will suffer a painful punishment.”

A group of scholars said that the transgressor is someone who kills after granting a pardon; such a person must be executed. Others said that he should instead be punished in a manner that prevents him from transgressing. Allah knows best.

He—may Allah Most High have mercy on him—was asked:

“About people who neither pray nor fast, while those among them who fast do not pray. Their wealth is unlawful, and they take people’s property, yet they are generous to their neighbors and the weak. They are not known to follow any particular school, and they are Muslims?”

He answered:

“Praise be to Allah. If these people are under the authority of the rulers, those rulers must command them to establish prayer, and they must be punished for neglecting it. The same applies to fasting, even if they acknowledge the obligation of the five daily prayers, fasting Ramadan, and the prescribed zakah. Otherwise, whoever does not acknowledge these obligations is a disbeliever. If they acknowledge the obligation of prayer but refuse to perform it, they are to be punished until