the-islamic-ruling-on-the-permissibility-of-self-sacrificial-operations-suicide-or-martyrdom

• That it is merely recommended for <strong>the</strong>m to turn back, but not compulsory, for if <strong>the</strong>y are
killed, <strong>the</strong>y will be victorious with martyrdom.” 69
Thirteenth)
Imām Al-Ghazālī said, “There is no disagreement that a Muslim can single-handedly attack
<strong>the</strong> rows of <strong>the</strong> kuffār and fight, even if he knows he will be killed. Just as it is permissible to
fight <strong>the</strong> kuffār until martyrdom, that is also permissible; because that is contained in
Commanding <strong>the</strong> Good and Forbidding <strong>the</strong> Evil. But, if he knows that his attack will cause
no damage to <strong>the</strong> kuffār – as if a blind or disabled person was to throw himself into <strong>the</strong> rows
of <strong>the</strong> kuffār – <strong>the</strong>n this is something which is forbidden, and it is included in <strong>the</strong> generality
of <strong>the</strong> verse of self-destruction. Ra<strong>the</strong>r, it is permissible to go forth, only when he will not be
killed until he kills (or inflicts damage to <strong>the</strong> kuffār), or he knows he will break <strong>the</strong> morale of
<strong>the</strong> kuffār by demonstrating to <strong>the</strong>m his dancing with death, and making <strong>the</strong>m believe that
<strong>the</strong> rest of <strong>the</strong> Muslims similarly have little fear of death, and that <strong>the</strong>y love Shahādah
(martyrdom) in <strong>the</strong> Path of Allāh – and by doing such, <strong>the</strong> enemies’ strength breaks down.”
70
And this is one of <strong>the</strong> most obvious effects – ra<strong>the</strong>r, miracle - after a Mujāhid sells himself to
His Lord – it is a cause of terror and fright for <strong>the</strong> enemies of Allāh in <strong>the</strong> East and <strong>the</strong>
West, and it trembles <strong>the</strong> highest towers of kufr and transgression, and all praise belongs to
Allāh Alone.
Fourteenth)
Followers of Imām Ahmad ibn Hanbal
Imām Ibn Qudāmah said, “If <strong>the</strong> enemy is more than twice <strong>the</strong> Muslims’ number, and <strong>the</strong>
Muslims are reasonably certain of victory, <strong>the</strong>n it is preferable to remain steadfast on account
of <strong>the</strong> benefit (involved), but if <strong>the</strong>y turn back it is permissible, for <strong>the</strong>y are not immune to
destruction… it is conceivable that it is obligatory upon <strong>the</strong>m to stand fast if <strong>the</strong>y are
reasonably certain of victory, on account of <strong>the</strong> benefit; but if <strong>the</strong>y are reasonably certain of
being defeated by remaining and being unsca<strong>the</strong>d by turning back, <strong>the</strong>n it is preferable for
<strong>the</strong>m to turn back - but if <strong>the</strong>y remain steadfast and firm, it is permissible, for <strong>the</strong>y have a
goal of martyrdom, and it is also possible that <strong>the</strong>y will be victorious. If <strong>the</strong>y are reasonably
certain of being routed whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y remain put or turn back, <strong>the</strong>n it is preferable for <strong>the</strong>m
to (stay put and) remain steadfast to attain <strong>the</strong> rank of <strong>the</strong> Shuhadā’ (martyrs), going forth
bravely to <strong>the</strong> fight, hoping (for Allāh’s Pleasure), and this more virtuous than fleeing; and
also because it is possible <strong>the</strong>y might be victorious.” 71
69 Refer to <strong>the</strong> competition of Al-Majmū’ (19/291).
70 Refer to It’hāf As-Sādah Al-Muttaqīn Sharh Ihyā’ ‘Ulūm Ad-Dīn (7/26).
71
Refer to Al-Mughnī (9/309).
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