Expulsion of non-Muslim Forces From the Land of Two Harams

Q.) The presence of American and allied forces in the Gulf is a source of great concern for the entire Muslim World and especially for the Arab Muslims. The religious circles in the Arab world hold that these forces are

• Helping to protect Israel and its expansionist policies.
• A danger to the sovereignty of the Arab countries.
• A barrier to the establishment of Islamic governments and Islamic order.
• A means of exploitation of Arab oil and money.
• A violation of the clear command of the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, that asks us to keep the Arabian Peninsula free of Jewish and Christian presence.
• A violation of the sanctity of the two holy places.

The religious circles in Arab countries are constantly raising their voices against the presence of these forces and are involved in a struggle to expel them.

Please explain in the light of the Shariah the status of this struggle. What is the responsibility of the Ulema and the Muslim masses in this regard? [Abu Omar Zahid Ar-Rashidi. Khateeb, Central Jami' Masjid. Gujranwala, Pakistan]

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A.) In case of need---and to the extent of that need---Shariah allows us to accept military help from non-Muslims, provided:

1. Such help will be really in the interest of Muslims,
2. Muslims will retain real control over the non-Muslim forces, and
3. There is no danger that the non-Muslim forces will create any disturbance or hurt the Muslims in any way.
   
   On the other hand, if non-Muslim forces stay in Muslim lands in a way that shows that they have the upper hand or if they only protect their own interest or if Muslims do not need them than it is not permissible according to Shariah to allow these forces to stay in Muslim lands. In such a case, it is the responsibility of the Muslim rulers that they should do everything they can to the best of their ability to expel the non-Muslim armies from Muslim lands.

If the Muslim rulers neglect this crucial responsibility, than the political and religious leaders, Ulema, and the Muslim masses should do the best they can---within the limits of Shariah---and using both written and spoken words---to draw the attention of their rulers to this responsibility. And Allah knows best.

Written by Muhammad Kamaluddin Rashdi, Darul-Ifta, Darul-Uloom, Karachi.
Concurred by Mufti Taqi Usmani.
Dated: 21 Muharram 1419 (18 May 1998)