189 - Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Abd al-Hamid informed me, Bakr ibn Muhammad narrated to us, from his father, from Abu Abd Allah, who said: "I do not consider fighting thieves during a time of tribulation (fitna) [advisable]. When there is no Imam, this is a tribulation in which no weapon should be carried; because the Prophet said to Abu Dharr regarding the tribulation: 'Stay in your house.' He said: 'If you fear the glare of the sword, then cover your face.' The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, also said: 'Whoever's property is sought and he fights [for it] and is killed, he is a martyr.' He then spoke regarding the tribulation in this manner, and he said: 'Whoever's property is sought in this way, he is in my view [authorized to fight]. Fighting thieves is permissible except during a time of tribulation.'"