Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Salam Alaikum Warahmatullah Hi Wa Barakatuh, to the whole Islam Helpline Crew, and Burhan.

I`ve written many a times to IslamHelpline, and I never got my answers answered. I`ve got a question, which is pretty urgent. I live in the United States, and was born here. My question is: Can I join the US Army as a soldier, and fight for the country. Is it haram? My intentions are not to kill Muslims, but to serve the US in their terrorist operations and to make myself tough to face endeavors that may affect our nations later on. Would it wrong for me to join the Army. Jaza k`allah khair. 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Can Muslim join US army

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Statement: I`ve written many a times to IslamHelpline, and I never got my answers answered.

Dear and Beloved Brother in Islam, Allah is our witness, we try to the best of our ability to respond to every question which we receive on the forum. All Praise is due to Allah Subhanah Alone Who has blessed this humble forum. Beloved brother, as much as we desire to respond to every question, due to time constraints, it is possible that some questions are still in the queue and remain unanswered. We humbly request you to understand our limitations, and assure you that we will always strive our utmost to respond to your questions as soon as we possibly can, Insha Allah.

Your Question: Would it wrong for me to join the Army.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 60 Surah Mumtahina verses 8-9:

8 Allah forbids you not with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just.

9 Allah only forbids you with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support (others) in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them that do wrong.

My dear and beloved brother, the stand of the United States against the muslim nations and the belief of Islam is well-known. There is nothing wrong in joining the army of a pagan-nation one lives in or as a job and a means of livelihood; but when the situation arises where that pagan nation declares war or attacks a nation of believers, the believer in the pagan army would in effect would have to fight against brothers from his own faith, and thus put himself and his faith in a very big trial.

There are many other jobs or exercises or courses you can do which will help in making you ‘tough’; but in our humble opinion, it would not be prudent for a believer who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day to support the army of a pagan nation which declares war on muslim nations. There is no harm in being a patriot of a land one lives in, but when one’s submission to one’s Creator is challenged by one’s patriotism to one’s land, one’s submission to their Lord Creator must reign supreme.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan