What If a Muslim Helps a Terrorist

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Question:

What should a Muslim do if asked by a terrorist for help in an attack? - A moral question about whether Muslims should help fellow Muslims involved in terrorism, directly or indirectly. :::

Answer:

Obviously Muslims are not supposed to help anyone in evil deeds and should do everything to prevent it as prescribed by Islam.

It is mentioned in Quran (interpretation to mean): “Help you one another in Al-Birr & At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah, verily Allah is Severe in punishment”. (Al-Maidah 5:2).

Tameem Ad-Dari reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Religion is sincere good will.” We said, “To whom?” The Prophet said, “To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims, and their common people.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 55, Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Muslim

Ibn Al-Qayyim said,

“Indeed, sincere good will does not include animosity, but is against it. Thus, whoever is sincere to the leaders and the nation is free from animosity… The one who is sincere to the Muslim community must love for them what he loves for himself, hate for them what he hates for himself, be displeased by what displeases them, and be happy by what makes them happy.”Source: Miftāḥ Dār al-Sa’ādah 1/72

Opinion of Contemporary Scholars

Question: Honorable Shaykh (Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān), some of the youth come sometimes and ask about this issue: if I find someone who defends these people (the Khawārij, terrorists, etc.) and their plots, should I turn them in and inform (the authorities) of them? Some people consider this to be a form of betrayal on the part of the authorities, and that it is impermissible to do this. We hope your eminence will explain this.

Answer:

The prophet ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) said:

“The religion is sincerity (giving sincere advice).”He repeated this three times. We (the companions) asked,

“To whom, messenger of Allah?” He answered:

للهِ ، وَلِكِتَابِهِ ، وَلِرَسُوْلِهِ ، وَلِلأَئِمَّةِ المُسْلِمِيْنَ وَعَامَّتِهِم

“To Allah, His book, His messenger, to the leaders of the Muslims and their common people.” [Recorded by Muslim (no. 55)]

So, anyone who falls into these issues, he should be sincerely advised and explained the reality of these matters. If he desists (from holding these beliefs), then thanks are due to Allah. If he does not desist yet he keeps quiet and does not actually do anything, then leave him – his sin is upon himself. But if he actually and outwardly does something to deceive other Muslims or always talks about it, spreading this filthy ideology, then it is an obligation to turn him in. This is a part of being sincere to Allah, His book, His messenger, to the Muslim leaders and the common people.