What is the prescribed punishment for the theft of state antiquities according to Islamic Sharia?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Ancient artifacts are public property. If an individual steals from them, their hand is not to be amputated because they have a semblance of ownership in them. Most scholars hold this view, citing the of Ibn Abbas concerning the theft by a slave from the one-fifth share [of war spoils], and the sayings of Umar and Ali that a thief from the public treasury is not subject to amputation because they have a right in it. Thus, the existence of a semblance of ownership prevents amputation. However, the absence of amputation does not mean that a grave sin deserving of disciplinary punishment has not been committed.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/50259
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 50259
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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