AskImamDarul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah (AskImam)

Assalamu ‘alaikum Mufti Saheb Information regarding conduct during a war in accordance to Shariah.

· 17 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1422 AH1 min readFatwa 3609English
Islamic Politics

Question

If an armed force of Muslims sets out on a campaign to fight injustice in their land, according to Shariah, how must they treat the unarmed civilians they encounter in their journey who pose no threat to them? Which types of conduct are acceptable and which are unacceptable when Muslim soldiers encounter men, women, and children who do not pose any threat to them in war (regardless if the unarmed civilians are fasiqs or kafirs) Also, what action should be taken against a Muslim army if they are found to be not fighting a war in accordance to Shariah. Jazakumallah khairun

Answer

It is the duty of the Muslim army to treat all with kindness. They may not attack those who pose no threat to them, such as women and children. Even the enemy which are captured should be treated with kindness.

If members of the Muslim army do not comply, it is the duty of the Imaam to correct this, and if necessary, punish those that are guilty.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Answered by
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Ask AskImam

Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah (AskImam). It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, ask the issuing Darul Ifta directly.