Appendix Two
Supporting the Disbelievers against the Muslims out of Fear, Not Hatred of the Muslims

I have read a book entitled “Questions Concerning Excuse Due to Ignorance,” prepared under your supervision. I understood from it that assisting disbelievers by fighting alongside them against Muslims does not constitute disbelief unless accompanied by a desire to make their religion prevail or love for their religion. It states that fighting alongside disbelievers against Muslims out of partisan zeal or for worldly interests is not disbelief that takes one outside the fold of Islam. Is this understanding correct? Has any scholar of Ahl al-Sunnah held this view? What is your opinion of making the conditions mentioned above necessary for declaring someone who fights Muslims alongside disbelievers to be a disbeliever?

Answer:

All praise is due to Allah, and may blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:

There is no doubt that the motives for supporting some disbelievers against some Muslims vary: