toward the Muslims and their rulers. They are the most eager of all people to bring ruin upon the realm and the state, and they are worse than a traitor within the army. A traitor may have some particular aim involving either the army commander or the enemy, whereas these people direct their designs against the religious community, its Prophet, its religion, its kings, its scholars, its common people and its elite. They are the most eager of all people to surrender fortresses to the Muslims’ enemy, to turn the troops against the ruler and to lead them out of obedience to him.

The authorities must remove them from the military registers; they must not be retained at frontier posts or elsewhere, for the harm they cause at the frontier is greater still. They must be replaced, as needed, with men who can be trusted to uphold the religion of Islam and to remain sincere toward Allah, His Messenger, the Muslim leaders and the Muslims at large. Indeed, if a ruler will not employ someone who betrays him, even if that person is a Muslim, how could he employ someone who betrays all Muslims? He may not delay this duty when he is able to carry it out. Whenever he can replace them, he must do so.

If, however, they have been employed and have performed the work stipulated for them, they are entitled either to the agreed payment or to the customary remuneration for equivalent work, since they were engaged under a contract to perform it. If the contract was valid, the agreed payment is due; if it was invalid, the customary remuneration for equivalent work is due. If their employment does not fall within the category of