171 - Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Jawhari narrated to us, saying: Abdus ibn Malik al-Attar narrated to us, saying: I heard Abu Abd Allah Ahmad ibn Hanbal say: 'Fighting thieves and the Khawarij is permissible if they confront a man regarding his person or his wealth; he has the right to fight in defense of his person and his wealth, and to repel them with whatever he is capable of. However, if they depart from him or leave him, he does not have the right to pursue them or follow their tracks. That is not for anyone except the Imam or the governors of the Muslims. He may only repel them from himself in that location of his, and he should intend, through his efforts, not to kill anyone. If it results in the death of the assailant while he is defending himself in the fray, then may Allah distance the one who was killed. And if the person [the defender] is killed in that state while defending himself and his wealth, I hope for him the reward of martyrdom, as has come in the hadiths. All the reports regarding this matter merely command one to fight the assailant, but do not command one to kill him or to pursue him.'