Is a group of apostates obligated to compensate for property they destroyed?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Fighting Rebellious Groups
Primary text
A group of apostates is obligated to compensate for the property they destroyed. This obligation applies whether they achieved a fortified position, became secure, or did not. Abu Bakr affirmed this, and it is the apparent view of Ahmad. The basis for this ruling is the statement attributed to Abu Bakr when the apostates returned, where he stipulated they must return what they took, but he did not initially agree to pay blood money for their slain. Furthermore, they destroyed the property without misinterpretation (*ta'wil*), which assimilates them to the status of *Ahl al-Dhimma* (protected non-Muslim subjects) concerning property liability.
Supporting text
Al-Shafi'i held that their ruling concerning destroyed property and lives resembles that of rebels (*Ahl al-Bughat*) because obligating them to compensate might repel them from returning to Islam, thus equating them to rebels.