Robbed by force or at weapon point, or a relative accused of it? Robbery by force in Saudi Arabia is not ordinary theft: taking money by force or threat is more serious than secret theft, may come with an assault charge, and if committed openly with a weapon where help cannot be reached it may be hirabah, among the most severely punished crimes.
| Classification | When | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Hadd theft | Taking property secretly from its place of safekeeping, with the other conditions met | Fixed hadd (Quran 5:38) |
| Taking property by force or threat | Openly and by coercion, not secretly | Ta'zir set by the judge on the facts, possibly with an assault penalty and private rights |
| Hirabah | Going out against people to take property, kill or terrorise openly and by force with weapons, where help cannot be reached | One of the four penalties in Quran 5:33 |
Reviewed by: Ghada Nasser Al-HarbiAttorney at USUS Law FirmLast updated:
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Why it is not hadd theft
Hadd theft requires secrecy; taking by force is open, so it moves to a more serious classification. The Council of Senior Scholars has treated kidnapping, armed robbery and assaults under threat of weapons as hirabah; classification is for the judge on each case's facts.
The victim's rights
The victim may claim return of the property or its value, compensation, and arsh or diya for injuries (Criminal Procedure Law, Art. 16). A pardon ends the private claim, not the public right (Art. 23).
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for robbery by force in Saudi Arabia?
It is not hadd theft; the penalty is ta'zir set by the judge according to the weapon, injuries and circumstances, plus private rights. Committed openly with a weapon where help cannot be reached, it may be classified as hirabah.
Usus Law Firm defends serious criminal cases and represents victims. See our criminal lawyer in Riyadh and hirabah in Saudi Arabia.
Legal review: the Usus Law Firm team
A select team of lawyers and legal advisers licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Justice, working from Riyadh and Tabuk, with experience before the general, commercial, labor, criminal, personal status and administrative courts. Every article is reviewed before publication and updated when laws or regulations change.
Last reviewed: 28 October 2026
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
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