“And if they seek your help in matters of religion, you must help them, except against a people with whom you have a treaty.”

Likewise, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, commanded that a Muslim be supported, whether or not one is a salaried soldier. This is obligatory upon everyone according to their ability, through their person and wealth, whether their numbers are few or many, and whether on foot or mounted. Thus, when the enemy attacked the Muslims in the year of the Trench, Allah did not permit anyone to refrain from defending them, whereas He had permitted some to refrain from initiating jihad in pursuit of the enemy, distinguishing between those who remained behind and those who went forth. Rather, He censured those who sought the Prophet’s permission to leave, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“Saying, ‘Our homes are exposed,’ though they were not exposed. They wanted nothing but to flee.”

This is the defence of religion, inviolable rights, and lives: fighting undertaken out of necessity. The other is fighting undertaken by choice to advance and exalt the religion and to deter the enemy, as in the expedition to Tabūk and similar campaigns. This form of punishment applies to groups that resist enforcement.

As for inhabitants of Muslim lands and others like them who do not resist enforcement, they must be compelled to fulfil their obligations: the five pillars of Islam and other duties, such as discharging trusts, honouring agreements in dealings, and so forth.

Anyone who does not pray, whether male or female, must be commanded to pray. If they refuse, they are to be punished until they pray, by scholarly consensus. Moreover, most scholars hold that such a person must be executed if they do not pray. They are first called upon to repent; if they repent, they are spared, but otherwise they are executed. Is such a person executed as an unbeliever or