Ask the Vizier - May a Muslim Join the Army? from Planck's Constant

I oftentimes am asked questions that can best be answered when I take on the persona of the Grand Vizier.

Today the following query was posed to Ask the Vizier (℠): "May a Muslim Join the Army?"

There are three ways to respond to this:

Praise be to Allaah, No (1).

Praise be to Allaah, Yes, but only if the military does not attack Muslims (2).

Praise be to Allaah, Yes, but only to spy on the infidels and learn their secrets (3).

Photo Credit: Anno 1404 Wiki

DISCLAIMER

The Vizier answers issues pertaining to Shariah which came down directly from Allâh. These questions and answers are placed in public view on Planck's Constant for educational purposes. Many of these answers are unique to a particular situation and cannot be taken as a basis for a ruling in another situation. Ask the Vizier (℠) bears no responsibility with regards to these questions being used out of their intended context or to any party who may or may not act on this answer. The Vizier is hereby exempted from loss or damage howsoever caused.

This answer may not be used as evidence in any Court of Law without prior written consent of the Vizier.

ENDNOTES

(1):

Ask-Imam.com, Question 6852 from United States
Q: Can I join the United States Army?
A: It is not permissible to join the United States Army.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

(2):

Islamhelpline, Can I join the US Army as a soldier, and fight for the country. Is it haram?
Q: I`ve got a question, which is pretty urgent. I live in the United States, and was born here. My question is: Can I join the US Army as a soldier, and fight for the country. Is it haram? My intentions are not to kill Muslims, but to serve the US in their terrorist operations and to make myself tough to face endeavors that may affect our nations later on.
A: My dear and beloved brother, the stand of the United States against the muslim nations and the belief of Islam is well-known. There is nothing wrong in joining the army of a pagan-nation one lives in or as a job and a means of livelihood; but when the situation arises where that pagan nation declares war or attacks a nation of believers, the believer in the pagan army would in effect would have to fight against brothers from his own faith, and thus put himself and his faith in a very big trial.

There are many other jobs or exercises or courses you can do which will help in making you ‘tough’; but in our humble opinion, it would not be prudent for a believer who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day to support the army of a pagan nation which declares war on muslim nations. There is no harm in being a patriot of a land one lives in, but when one’s submission to one’s Creator is challenged by one’s patriotism to one’s land, one’s submission to their Lord Creator must reign supreme.

(3):