Defending One’s Property

A person came to Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) and said: ‘Rasul Allah, what do you say if a man comes to me in order to appropriate my possessions?’
Rasul Allah said: ‘Don't surrender your possessions to him.’
The inquirer asked: ‘If he fights me?’
Rasul Allah remarked: ‘Then fight (with him).’
The inquirer again asked: ‘What do you think if I am killed?’
Rasul Allah said: ‘You would be a martyr.’
The inquirer said: ‘What do you think of him, if I kill him.’
Rasul Allah said: ‘He would be in the Fire.’” [Muslim]

It is our right to defend that which Allah has blessed us with. Muslims are told not to surrender their lives, properties, families or Islamic lifestyles to usurpers. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) tells us to defend our families, properties and religion. If we are victorious we maintain control over what is ours. Should we die in the process of defending any one of these things, then it is the best death of a shaheed/martyr. This should be a great source of hope for us in these turbulent times when crime is on the rise and invasion of Muslim lands a source of catastrophe.