He says in his letter: There is no doubt that since the killing of 'Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), the third caliph after the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), many wars have occurred.
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The questioner : He says in his letter: There is no doubt that since the killing of 'Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), the third caliph after the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), many wars have occurred in the Islamic states. Then these wars expanded and their colors and forms multiplied with the multiplication of Arab and Islamic kingdoms. There is no doubt that if war breaks out between two Arab and Muslim states, those who fight in these battles are Muslim soldiers. We want to know: if Muslims fight each other in this situation, does the sin fall upon them, or upon the states, or upon the caliphs, or upon the heads of these states who ignite the fire of this war? We ask for your guidance, may Allah guide you.
The Shaykh : We say in this matter: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 2888b.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : They said: O Messenger of Allah, this is the killer, but what about the one who was killed? He said:Sahih al-Bukhari 6875 And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih Muslim 64a Therefore, it is not permissible for Muslims to kill one another or to fight one another. However, if someone is fought against, he has the right to defend himself with the lesser of two harms.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If defense is not possible except through fighting, then he has the right to fight. In that case, the one who is killed from among the rebels will be in the Fire. The one who is killed from among the rebels will be in the Fire.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for the one who is killed from among those who are defending themselves and who found no defense other than killing, he will be in Paradise. And if he kills from among the rebels, there is nothing upon him.
And it is obligatory upon Muslims, if two groups fight each other, that they strive for reconciliation between them, due to the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Hujurat 49:9-10] So it becomes clear that we have two perspectives.
The first perspective: regarding the ruling on fighting among Muslims. It is forbidden and not permissible. However, if someone is wronged and attacked, he has the right to defend himself with the least possible means. If defense is not possible except through fighting, then he has that right.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The second perspective: regarding the rest of the believers. If the two fighting groups are from among the believers, then it is obligatory upon the rest of the believers to reconcile between them. If one of them rebels against the other and does not agree to reconciliation, then it is obligatory upon the believers to fight them until they return to the command of Allah. If they return, reconciliation is obligatory.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Due to the destruction and other things that occurred between them.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Now, what is the sin of the soldier in the group or the state that rebels, if his leaving or his refusal to fight is also considered leaving his authority?
The Shaykh : It is not leaving the authority, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Abi Dawud 2625Sahih (Al-Albani).
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And this is not from what is right that a man fights his Muslim brother or kills him. Rather, he must refuse this matter and not go out. In this case, his refusal may be one of the greatest causes leading to the prevention of rebellion, because if this one and this one and this one refuse, the rebel will not have the power to rebel against others.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Thank you, may Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : We say in this matter: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
When two Muslims confront each other with their swords, both the slayer and the slain are doomed to Hell-Fire.
إذا التقى المسلمان بسيفيهما فالقاتل والمقتول في النارThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : They said: O Messenger of Allah, this is the killer, but what about the one who was killed? He said:
The killed one was eager to kill his opponent.
لأنه كان حريصاً على قتل صاحبهAbusing a Muslim is an outrage and fighting against him is unbelief
سِباب المسلم فسوق وقتاله كفرThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If defense is not possible except through fighting, then he has the right to fight. In that case, the one who is killed from among the rebels will be in the Fire. The one who is killed from among the rebels will be in the Fire.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for the one who is killed from among those who are defending themselves and who found no defense other than killing, he will be in Paradise. And if he kills from among the rebels, there is nothing upon him.
And it is obligatory upon Muslims, if two groups fight each other, that they strive for reconciliation between them, due to the saying of Allah the Exalted:
(9) And if two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allah. And if it returns, then make settlement between them in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly. (10) The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.
وَإِنْ طَائِفَتَانِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اقْتَتَلُوا فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا فَإِنْ بَغَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا عَلَى الأُخْرَى فَقَاتِلُوا الَّتِي تَبْغِي حَتَّى تَفِيءَ إِلَى أَمْرِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ فَاءَتْ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا بِالْعَدْلِ وَأَقْسِطُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ * إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَThe first perspective: regarding the ruling on fighting among Muslims. It is forbidden and not permissible. However, if someone is wronged and attacked, he has the right to defend himself with the least possible means. If defense is not possible except through fighting, then he has that right.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The second perspective: regarding the rest of the believers. If the two fighting groups are from among the believers, then it is obligatory upon the rest of the believers to reconcile between them. If one of them rebels against the other and does not agree to reconciliation, then it is obligatory upon the believers to fight them until they return to the command of Allah. If they return, reconciliation is obligatory.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Due to the destruction and other things that occurred between them.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Now, what is the sin of the soldier in the group or the state that rebels, if his leaving or his refusal to fight is also considered leaving his authority?
The Shaykh : It is not leaving the authority, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Obedience is in matters which are good and universally recognized.
إنما الطاعة في المعروفThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And this is not from what is right that a man fights his Muslim brother or kills him. Rather, he must refuse this matter and not go out. In this case, his refusal may be one of the greatest causes leading to the prevention of rebellion, because if this one and this one and this one refuse, the rebel will not have the power to rebel against others.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Thank you, may Allah reward you.