Reference: Fataawa Islaamiyyah v4 p259
Question: Your 'children' at the front lines are asking you, noble Shaykh, whether they will get the reward of those who fight in the way of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى. As you know, they are facing an enemy that has not only consistently broken all treaties, but has also shown lack of any humanity. They also ask "Defending one's country, honour or land - are these considered jihaad?" They further ask you to advise them with anything you may deem pertinent.
Response: The Book and the Sunnah clearly establish that the one who fights in the front lines is fighting in the way of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, provided that his intention is sincerely for Allaah سبحانه و تعالى alone:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
He ﷺ also said:
In Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, it is recorded that the Prophet ﷺ said:
There is no doubt that protecting one's religion, self, family, wealth or country - all of these are among the legislated types of jihaad. Whoever is killed in such cases, while being a Muslim, he is included under the description "martyr" due to the saying of the Prophet ﷺ:
We advise you, defenders of the front lines, to fear Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, to purify your intention for Him in all of your actions, to pray your five prayers in congregation, to remember Allaah سبحانه و تعالى frequently, to be steadfast in obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, to strive toward unity, to avoid disunity, to have patience which will bring tranquility, to think well of Allaah, and to beware of disobeying Him in any way.
From the most comprehensive of Aayaat concerning what we have mentioned is the saying of Allaah in soorah al-Anfaal:
May Allaah correct your steps, make you steadfast in His religion, aid you and those with the truth, and with you disgrace the falsehood and its people. Indeed, the affair belongs to him, and He is All-Capable.
