Anecdotes from the Life of the Prophet Muhammad
by Mumtaz Ahmad Faruqui
Sanctity of Property
Abu Huraira relates that a person came before the Prophet and said:
“O Prophet of God, if a person comes to steal or snatch away my property by force, then should I yield to him?”
The Prophet replied,
“Don’t let him take your property, even if you have to fight for it.”
The man said:
“Supposing he kills me?”
The Prophet replied,
“You would then die the death of a martyr.”
On this the man said:
“But what if I kill him?”
The Prophet said:
“The thief would go to Hell, while there is no charge against you.”