as the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever fights out of patriotic zeal is fighting for the cause of ṭāghūt (falsehood); whoever fights out of tribal pride is fighting for the cause of ṭāghūt; and whoever fights to attain some worldly gain is fighting for the cause of ṭāghūt.” Allah says: “Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, whereas those who disbelieve fight in the cause of ṭāghūt” (Qur’an 4:76).

Yet if a person takes up arms alongside his people or for his homeland—not for the sake of nationalism or patriotism as such, but to defend a Muslim country from the aggression of the unbelievers—then he is fighting in Allah’s cause, because protecting Muslim lands ultimately serves to make the word of Allah supreme. The same holds true for defending Muslim lives; its fruit is likewise the exaltation of Allah’s word.

But if someone joins the battle with the sole intention of getting killed, does that count as striving in the way of Allah? The answer is no. Sadly, many young men set out just so they may be killed and then say, “We were martyred.” They should go forth to fight so that the word of Allah becomes supreme, whether they live or die—do not depart merely to be killed, but to raise high Allah’s word. If you are then killed on that path, only then are you truly fighting in Allah’s cause.

The third person is a man upon whom Allah bestowed wealth. He gave freely, donated, and spent in charity. On the Day of Resurrection he will be brought before Allah, Who will remind him of His favors, and the man will acknowledge them. He will then be asked, “What did you do with them?” He will answer, “I gave in charity and did such-and-such.” It will be said to him, “You have lied. You only did that so that people would say, ‘So-and-so is generous,’ and they have already said it.” He will then be ordered to be dragged on his face into the Fire.