Zayyad

14. Islamic rulings on war.

Ustaz Ali is a high-ranked soldier but also a teacher. He is more into da'wah and was recruited by Camp Rabi' to educate its soldiers. He trained with the others too and is commendable. Because of his knowledge of the deen and arts of war, he is well respected in the army. 

He was a teacher and knew how to handle all levels of students. Watching the recruits, Ustaz Ali was satisfied with their reaction after their first task. He gave General Arafat the idea and the man quickly agreed. 

"Assalamu Alaikum." He started by greeting them. 

"Wa alaikumussalam!" They answered. 

He smiled and addressed, "Being able to handle any situation is a good attribute of a soldier. Being clear-headed and examining the situation is special and not everyone can do that. That's why we are called an army. We support each other with our talents. Some of you are good in planning, some in fighting, and so on." 

"Even when it comes to using weapons, you all will realize which weapon is more suitable for you. Some might even be good in two or three. Now, General Arafat gave you a task and I am sure you all learned something from it. Can you tell me some?" He asked and many raised their hands. 

"Patience," 

"Diligence,"

"Honesty,"

"Commitment,"

"Jameel. Anymore? Hussein?" Ustaz Ali smiled, pointing at Hussein. Hassan turned his head while Adnan tried not to laugh. Hussein felt his face heating up at the attention but he still answered, "Teamwork?"

The room immediately broke into laughter. Even Ustaz Ali's face was twitching. "Ok stop it. He's right. Teamwork. " 

The laughter died down. Hussein glared at Adnan and said, "I was right but you were busy laughing more than everyone. "

"Listen to the Ustaz." Adnan simply pointed to the front and Hussien rolled his eyes. 

"Alright. I will leave you to contemplate the mistakes while we discuss what brought you all here. Islamic arts of war." Ustaz Ali began. 

"Why do we go to war with the Kafirs?" He inquired. "This takes us back to the beginning of Islam. When prophet Muhammad's peace be upon was given the seal of prophethood, the Kafir Makkah were determined to eradicate him and the Muslims. They didn't want Islam to prosper and killed the Muslims in cold-blooded hands. 

Allah then sent chapters and verses instructing theMuslimsims to fight back. In Islam, killing a human, be it a Muslim or non muslim is haram but for a human who kills a Muslim, his blood is halal. 

Islam doesn't force these Kafirs to join us, and if agreed, both sides can live in peace. The way for us to share Islam is through da'wah and our actions. But the Kafira are keen on destroying us. In such a situation, Muslims aren't going to cross their arms and wait to be killed. 

Those allowed to join jihad are men that are above the age of puberty, sane, and physically healthy. All of you here and eighteen and above. If by any chance someone younger wants to join and he is below eighteen, but at the puberty age, he will be allowed to join. 

Also, We can't fight the Kafirs just to claim their territories but to free the Muslims there. If by any chance they agree to set them free and keep their flags of war, the war will end. But for now, they are still oppressing those willing to convert, so we have to seize their territories too. 

This action is guided by rules. No selself-opinion allowed. A leader assigned to the legion watches over them but even he follows the Islamic rulings on war. 

Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, the first Caliph, told his military commander: “Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for guidance on the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies; do not kill a woman, a child, or an aged man; do not cut down fruitful trees; do not destroy inhabited areas; do not slaughter any of the enemies’ sheep, cow, or camel except for food; do not burn date palms, nor inundate them; do not embezzle (e.g. any misappropriation of booty or spoils of war) nor be guilty of cowardliness…You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone."

In his address to warriors, Caliph Abu-Bakr added: “In your march through the enemy territory, do not cut down the palm, or other fruit trees, destroy not the products of the earth, ravage no fields, burn no houses…Let no destruction be made without necessity.”

"So, in such missions, you are to only fight the warriors and leave the civilians. Who is considered a combatant or civilian?

Anyone who picks a weapon to fight the Muslims is a combatant and you have to fight back. But the weak, the women, children, and the old are not involved. Anyone who touches them will be punished by the leader. "

Ustaz Ali took a breath and continued, "In the case of the battlefield, each soldier is to slay the enemies of Islam but being in the army means that we won't allow you to just throw your lives away. That's why following orders is important. You will be trained to fight together and in other cases, everyone fights separately. But the moment the commander calls for a retreat, you have to retreat because it's for your safety. 

How do you slay the enemies? The prophet instructed us to give the enemy a simple death by slicing the neck. Don't be barbaric like them and mutilate a corpse purposely due to anger or fun in the killing. You will slay them until they are surrounded and can't fight anymore. 

Prisoners are then taken back to the camp. The leader has the right to decide whether to execute, enslave, exchange, ransom or release them, based on the welfare of the Muslims. At another meeting, I will explain more in detail. 

 In Chapter 76, verse 8, Allah says: “And they feed, for the love of God, the indigent, the orphan and the captive” and Chapter 47, verse 4, which says: “So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you have overcome them, then make [them] prisoners, and afterward either set them free as a favor or let them ransom [themselves] until the war terminates.”

Also regarding obedience to the leader:

 “One must listen to and obey a Muslim ruler’s orders unless these orders involve disobedience to God; but if an act of disobedience to God is commanded, it is not listened to or obeyed.”

"Do you have any questions?" Ustaz Allah asked. 

The soldiers were quiet before questions started popping which the Ustaz answered patiently. 

"Regarding your uniforms," he reminded them. "You have to wear it every day, unless during jummah prayer. The situation in the Islamic State is getting dangerous, which means attacks can arrive at any time. There are already some territories that have been claimed by the Kafirs and we are trying to get them back. You will be trained faster than ever, which means you need to be more hardworking and diligent. No laziness will be tolerated. " 

"Na'am Ustaz!" The recruits nodded. 

"Alright. You can stay here and read or return to your tents. As General Arafat said, you have a day's rest. But I need to remind you, get yourselves ready. After tomorrow, you will be in his hands full." Ustaz Ali said before leaving. 

"So sleepy." Adnan stretched his hands and stood up. The others stood up and they walked back together. 

"How about explaining your 'teamwork' ?" Adnan smiled at Hassan. Zayyad was also curious, making the twins awkward. 

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