CHAPTER No: 63

CHAPTER No: 63
The Protection of Allah's Covenant and the Protection of His Prophet's Covenant

Allah Almighty said:
"And fulfill the Covenant of Allah (Bai'a : pledge for Islam) when you have covenanted, and break not the oaths after you have confirmed them, and indeed you have appointed Allah your surety. Verily! Allah knows what you do." (16:91)

Buraidah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
"Whenever Allah's Messenger (May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) deputed anyone as leader of an army (troop) or expedition, he admonished him to fear Allah, and be good to the Muslims with him. He used to say, "Start fighting (war) with the Name of Allah, in the cause of Allah, and fight those who disbelieve in Allah. You fight and do not take unduly from the booty, nor break any treaty, nor mutilate the dead bodies, nor kill the children. When you meet your enemies, who are polytheists, invite them to three alternatives. If they respond to any of these positively, accept them at their words and do not continue the war anymore. Invite them to accept Islam. If they agree to accept Islam, ask them to leave their homes and migrate to the lands of Muhajirin. Tell them that after migration they shall be entitled to get all the privileges and obligations of Muhajirin. If they refuse to migrate then make it clear that they will have the status of bedouin Muslims and shall be subjected to the commands of Allah like other Muslims but they shall not get any share from the booty or returns of the war unless they fight on the Muslims' side. If they do not confess Islam, impose Jizyah (a tax of protection taken from the non-Muslim citizens in the Islamic state) on them and if they comply with, then restrain your hands from them. But if they refuse (to pay Jizyah) then seek Allah's help and fight them. When you lay siege to a fort and the besieged appeal to you for protection in the Name of Allah and His Prophet, do not accord them the guarantee of Allah and His Prophet but give them the guarantee on behalf of yourself and on behalf of your companions. For it is a lesser sin that the security provided by you and your companion is disregarded than the security granted to them in the Name of Allah and His Prophet. When you besiege a fort and the besieged want you to let them out in accordance with Allah's Command, do not let them come out in accordance with His Command but do so at your (own) command, for you do not know whether or not you'll be able to carry out Allah's Behest with regard to them". (Muslim)

Important issues of the Chapter:
1) The difference between the protection of Allah and His Prophet (May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) and the protection of the Muslims.
2) Direction to choose the less dangerous alternative.
3) The Prophet's command: "Fight with the Name of Allah and in the way of Allah."
4) The Prophet's command: "Fight against those who disbelieve in Allah."
5) The Prophet's command: "Seek Allah's help and fight with them.
6) There is a difference between the Command of Allah and that of the 'Ulama.
7) That the companions if necessary, would make a judgement without knowing if it would agree with Allah's Judgement or not.