In any case, we must realise that the sound intention is to fight in defence of Islam in our land, or to fight for our homeland because it is an Islamic homeland—not for mere nationalism.

As for defensive combat: if someone breaks into your house intending to take your wealth or, for example, to violate the honour of your family, then you must fight him, just as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded. He was asked about a man who is confronted by an attacker who says, “Hand over your money.” The Prophet replied, “Do not give him your money.” The man asked, “What if he kills me?” He said, “Then you are a martyr.” He asked, “What if I kill him?” He answered, “He is in the Fire!” The attacker is an aggressor and a wrong-doer—even if he is a Muslim. Therefore, if a Muslim comes to drive you from your land or your house, fight him: if you kill him, he is in the Fire; and if he kills you, you are a martyr. Do not protest, “How can I kill a Muslim?”—for he is the aggressor. Were we to fold our arms before oppressive aggressors who show no regard for a believer’s kinship, covenant, or religion, those aggressors would dominate and sow corruption on earth after it had been set aright. Hence we affirm that this matter is not part of qitāl al-ṭalab (offensive fighting).

Qitāl al-ṭalab is when a person goes out to pursue and fight a fellow Muslim; that is impermissible. What is required is simply to repel aggression against oneself, one’s property, and one’s family—even if the aggressor professes faith, although in reality it can never be that a true believer would