Is a soldier’s fighting in the regular army against the kuffaar considered to be jihaad?
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In sha Allaah I will be joining the army in the next few months. There is the possibility – although this is the matter of the Unseen (al-ghayb), but I think it could happen at any time – that there will be a war between the Muslims and the Jews. If Allaah decrees that I should be one of His troops fighting against His enemies the Jews, how should I fight the Jews? If death is decreed for me, will I be a shaheed (martyr) who died for the sake of Allaah, and not a martyr for the sake of the homeland or for anything else other than Allaah? The fighting will be for the purpose of regaining territory or to fulfil some people’s whims and desires, not for the sake of making the word of Allaah supreme (may Allaah protect us), so how can I fight them in order to make the word of Allaah supreme, and how can I form my intention so that I may be a shaheed for the sake of Allaah? May Allaah reward you with all good.
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Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
If it is decreed that you should be a soldier fighting in the army against the Jews or any other kuffaar, then make your intention purely for the sake of Allaah in your fighting against them, and have the intention of supporting Islam and the Muslims, and making the word of Allaah supreme and the word of kufr the lowest. In this way, your fighting will be for the sake of Allaah. It was reported that a man asked the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “A man who fights for the sake of booty, a man who fights for the sake of fame and a man who fights for the sake of status – which of them is fighting for the sake of Allaah?” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The one who fights so that the word of Allaah will be supreme is the one who is fighting for the sake of Allaah.” (Agreed upon, from the hadeeth of Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari, may Allaah be pleased with him). (Al-Bukhaari, 3/206; Muslim, 3/1512-1513).
And Allaah is the Source of Strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah's Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
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