—like any other offender who is not a combatant.

The jurists differ over whether those who have been robbed may testify against the highwaymen who attacked them: when such victims are upright witnesses, the majority of our scholars accept their testimony, while others reject it. We have discussed this point at length in the chapter on testimony.

The bandit is first adjured in the name of Allah; if he desists, he is left alone, but if he refuses, he is fought. Should combat overtake him and he be killed, he is the worst of the slain, his blood carries no indemnity, and no liability falls upon the one who killed him. By contrast, whoever is killed defending his property is a martyr.

We have elaborated on this topic further in the Book of Apostates and Combatants. Praise be to Allah, Lord of all worlds.