At a glance
- Era
- The Prophetic Era
- Region
- Global / Diaspora
- Review
- Draft Completeness 0/5 · Help complete it
Summary
Siege (hisar) is hemming in an enemy in a town, castle or fortress, and cutting off entry and exit until he surrenders. 1 The ruler or his deputy may lawfully besiege unbelievers in their lands and fortresses by consensus, even when women and children are among them, and the Prophet besieged the people of Ta'if. 1 2 When the ruler besieges a fortress he may take it in one of five ways: they accept Islam and their blood, property and young children are secured; they offer money for a truce or a poll-tax; he conquers it; he sees fit to withdraw; or they submit to a judge's ruling. 2 Islam accepted during a siege before surrender secures life and property; after conquest it secures life only. 2 On besieging rebels, the Shafi'is forbid denying them food and drink, while the Malikis allow denying supplies and water unless women and children are among them. 3 When the besieged offer money to lift the siege, the ruler does not accept unless the Muslims face destruction. 3
People and things also explored
Reconciliation of hearts (al-mu'allafa qulubuhum)· Captives in a religious war and married women (Q. 4:24)· Guaranteed loan (ariya madmuna)· Emancipation of enemy slaves upon fleeing to Muslim lines· Conquest by force (anwa)· Prohibition of misappropriating spoils (ghulul)· Precincts (harim)· Hudna (truce with non-Muslims)
Sources
- al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.7107
- al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.7108
- al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.7109
Cite this page
islam.museum contributors. “Siege (hisar)”. islam.museum, https://islam.museum/en/concept/siege-hisar/. CC BY-SA 4.0. Last updated 2026-10-23.