What are the limits of compulsion?

For duress (ikrah) to be legally recognized, Ibn Qudamah stipulates three conditions: 1. The coercer must have power, either by authority or by dominance. 2. The coerced must predominantly believe that the threat will be carried out if he does not comply. 3. The threat must involve significant harm, such as death or severe beating, not merely insults or the taking of minor property. This may also include torturing a child.

Ibn Hajar, on the other hand, believes that the conditions for duress are four: 1. The perpetrator must be capable of carrying out the threat, and the person being commanded must be unable to resist. 2. The person being commanded must predominantly believe that the threat will be carried out if he refuses. 3. The threat must be immediate. 4. There should be no indication from the coerced person that he is acting voluntarily. There is no difference between duress concerning speech or action, with the exception of what is eternally forbidden, such as taking a life.