Question
Reference number: 535547 | Relationship with Non-Muslims | April 21, 2018
What is the ruling on stealing from your enemy who occupies your land?
Answer
Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.
It is familiar that what is between the occupier and the occupied is war and hatred. However, even in such a situation, Muslims should be committed to their ethics and morals especially the ethics which reflect the character of a Muslim. Stealing from the occupier does not tell any good about Muslims; on the contrary, it destroys the image of Muslims. Furthermore, the thief may get used to stealing, and thus, it could be his career. There are samples of people who start by stealing from the enemy, and then they got used to it.
If such a theft was to conquer the enemy and benefit the land’s owners (the occupied), and the intention is not stealing, rather, it is to annoy them, then it could be allowed.