Is it permissible to steal to feed one's children when no alternative is available, and is stealing from Jews permissible or forbidden?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Theft is one of the grave sins forbidden by the Qur'an, , and scholarly consensus, and it includes the wealth of Muslims and non-Muslims living under Muslim protection (dhimmis). A person must strive to engage in permissible work, borrow, or take and sadaqat if they find no other means. It is permissible for a person to steal what suffices to satiate their hunger and avert destruction from themselves and their family, if no other means are found and the matter is an extreme necessity. Necessity permits taking others' property to the extent needed to avert destruction from oneself.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/100862
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 100862
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy