In Islam, helping or cooperating with oppressors, especially those attacking Muslims, is a serious issue. Islamic teachings from the Quran and Hadith provide clear guidelines on the morality of such actions, emphasizing the distinction between grave sins and apostasy (leaving Islam). This article delves into the Islamic perspective on assisting enemies in war and the implications of such actions.
Cooperation and Sin in Islam
The Quran clearly prohibits cooperation with wrongdoing and those who spread mischief on earth. Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:2) emphasizes the importance of helping one another in righteousness and piety while warning against aiding transgression. Assisting enemies, especially during military conflicts that harm Muslims, is not only a sin but a severe one, according to Islamic jurisprudence.
Despite the gravity of the sin, helping the enemy does not automatically lead to apostasy unless one believes that such assistance is lawful. The core principle in Islam is that committing a sin, however severe, does not remove a person from the faith unless they explicitly deny the teachings of Islam.
Treason in Islam: A Grave Sin but Not Apostasy
Assisting the enemy in their aggression is an act of treachery, as it goes against the interests of Muslims. However, this does not equate to apostasy unless one deems the act of cooperation permissible. Sheikh Faysal Mawlawi, a prominent scholar, explains that according to mainstream Sunni doctrine, sins do not result in apostasy. Apostasy occurs only when a person denies the essential teachings of Islam, including the message of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Historically, scholars like Imam al-Bukhari and Imam an-Nawawi have clarified that serious sins, including violence or betrayal, do not automatically remove a person from Islam. Such sins are seen as acts of ignorance or deviation, not as outright rejection of faith.
Assisting the Enemy: Sin, Not Apostasy
The story of Hatib ibn Abi Balta’ah, who assisted the enemy during the conquest of Makkah, provides an important example. Despite his actions, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not label Hatib as an apostate. This illustrates that helping the enemy is a serious sin but does not automatically make one an apostate unless they consider the act to be lawful. The Prophet’s response to Hatib’s actions shows that serious sins, though condemned, do not result in expulsion from Islam unless they involve a fundamental rejection of faith.
Furthermore, the Quranic verse (Al-Mumtahanah: 1) revealed in this context cautions against taking the enemies of Islam as allies but emphasizes that a Muslim’s core belief remains intact unless they reject the faith itself.
Fighting and Assisting the Enemy: Islamic Rulings
Islamic jurisprudence clearly differentiates between fighting fellow Muslims as a sin and apostasy. Fighting a fellow believer is a grave sin, but it does not take one outside the fold of Islam. The Quran (Al-Hujurat 49:9) advocates for reconciliation between conflicting Muslim factions, emphasizing that wrongdoing should be corrected, not punished with expulsion from the faith.
Similarly, aiding the enemy is prohibited, but it does not equate to apostasy unless a person believes such actions are lawful. Islamic teachings urge Muslims to avoid supporting any aggressors and to maintain their commitment to righteousness.
Conclusion: Treason, Sin, and Apostasy in Islam
In Islam, cooperating with oppressors or enemies in war is a grave sin, but it does not necessarily lead to apostasy unless one regards such actions as permissible. The teachings of Islam, from the Quran and Hadith, stress that sins, no matter how severe, do not remove a person from Islam unless they involve a rejection of the essential beliefs of the faith. Muslims are urged to avoid assisting enemies in any form, remaining loyal to the principles of righteousness and justice outlined in Islamic law.
By adhering to these guidelines, Muslims can navigate complex situations involving conflict and aggression, ensuring they remain true to their faith and ethical teachings.