Q: I will join the Egyptian army in the next few months, Allah willing. The war between the Muslims and the Jews may occur. If Allah (Exalted be He) decrees for me to be one of the troops which will fight against His enemies, meaning the Jews, how should I fight the Jews in order to die as a martyr, and not a martyr for fighting to defend my homeland or to die for anything else other than Allah? The fighting will be for the purpose of restoring land (Part No. 12; Page No. 25) or to fulfill other purposes; not for the sake of making the word of Allah superior. Therefore, how can I fight them in order to make the word of Allah (Exalted be He) superior? How can I correct my intention to be a martyr for the sake of Allah? May Allah reward you with the best.

A: When Allah (Exalted be He) decrees that you will be a soldier in an army fighting the Jews or any other disbelievers, you should devote your intention purely for the sake of Allah (Exalted be He) in fighting them, and intend to defend Islam and the Muslims, and to make the word of Allah superior and the word of the unbelievers inferior. This is the way you should fight for the sake of Allah (Exalted be He). It was authentically reported that: A man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying: A man fights to obtain booty, another fights for reputation, and another fights to show off; which of these (cases) is in Allah’s Cause? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The one who fights to make the word of Allah superior is in His cause. Agreed upon its authenticity from the Hadith of Abu Musa Al-Ash`ary (may Allah be pleased with him).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.