What is the ruling on seizing something from another's property by force?
Usurpation (Ghasb) is the forcible and unlawful seizure of another's right. It is prohibited by consensus, based on the Almighty's saying: "And do not consume your properties among yourselves through falsehood." The usurper must repent and return the usurped item to its owner. If it is still existing, he must return it as it is, along with any increases. If it is damaged, he must return its equivalent. If he builds or plants on the usurped land, he must remove the building and plants and pay the rent for the land since its usurpation. If he mixes the usurped item with something else, he must either separate it, return its equivalent, or sell the mixture and divide the price. All hands through which the usurped item passes from the usurper are liable. The usurper's actions are void. If the owner is unknown, he must surrender it to the ruler or give it in charity on the owner's behalf. Usurpation is not limited to force; it also includes false litigation and false oaths.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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