such people to be part of the Muslim army. Rather, they belong to Satan’s army. It is, however, appropriate for a teacher to say to his pupil:

“You are bound by Allah’s covenant and pledge to be loyal to whoever is loyal to Allah and His Messenger, to oppose whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger, to cooperate in righteousness and piety, and not to cooperate in sin and aggression. If the truth is on my side, you must support the truth; but if I am in the wrong, you must not support falsehood.”

Whoever commits himself to this is among those who strive in the path of Allah Most High, seeking that all religion be devoted to Allah and that Allah’s word be supreme.

It is reported in the two collections of authentic hadith that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked:

“O Messenger of Allah, a man may fight out of bravery, partisan zeal, or a desire to show off. Which of these is in the path of Allah?”

He replied: “Whoever fights so that Allah’s word may be supreme is in the path of Allah.”

Thus, if a warrior fights out of partisan zeal for the Muslims, to show off before people so that they will praise him, or because of his own bravery, his fighting is not in the path of Allah, Almighty and Majestic, unless he fights so that Allah’s word may be supreme. What, then, of someone whose finest training in the art of combat is built on a corrupt foundation: helping one created being against another?

Whoever does this ranks among those steeped in pre-Islamic ignorance and the Tatars who depart from Islamic law. Such people deserve a severe punishment under Islamic law that deters them and others like them from such division and discord, until all religion is devoted to Allah and obedience is to Allah and His Messenger