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Is a person who is killed in a war against the communists considered to be a shaheed (martyr)?

04-03-2000

Question 9478

Sometimes there are clashes and battles between the Thai army – which includes a number of Muslims – and Communist groups in different parts of XXXX. This results in deaths on both sides. What is the ruling on the Muslims who are fighting in the ranks of the XXX army and are killed fighting these Communist gangs? Can we consider them to be martyrs (shuhadaa’)?

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

Their matter rests with Allaah, Who knows what their intentions were. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about one who fights because he is brave, one who fights for the sake of tribalism or nationalism, and one who fights in order to show off – which one is fighting for the sake of Allaah? He 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. Al-Bukhaari, 1/40; Muslim, 2/1513).

On this basis, the one who was fighting for the sake of Allaah and so that the word of Allaah will be supreme is considered to be a martyr.

And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.

Striving and migrating for the sake of Allaah

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