reports from the early generations and evidence from Islamic law discussed elsewhere. And Allah knows best.

He—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked:

A group of the country’s inhabitants formerly held the doctrines of the Nusayriyyah. They then rallied around a man, although their claims about him differed. Some claim that he is a god; others claim that he is a prophet sent by Allah; and others claim that he is Muhammad ibn al-Hasan—meaning the Mahdī. They ordered anyone who encountered him to prostrate before him. Through this and their reviling of the Companions, they openly proclaimed unbelief. They openly renounced obedience to the authorities and resolved to wage war. Is it obligatory to fight them and kill their combatants? May their offspring be taken captive and their property seized, or not?

He answered:

Praise be to Allah. These people must be fought as long as they continue to resist, until they commit themselves to the laws of Islam. The Nusayriyyah are among the most extreme unbelievers even without following such an impostor; how much more so when they follow such an impostor!

They are apostates whose apostasy is among the worst. Their combatants are to be killed, and their property taken as spoils. There is disagreement over taking their offspring captive. Most scholars, however, hold that the young children of apostates may be taken captive. This is what is indicated by the conduct of Abū Bakr al-Siddīq in fighting the apostates.

The scholars have likewise disagreed over the enslavement of an apostate woman. One group says that she may be enslaved