Seeking Help from Polytheists in Jihād — Prohibition and Exceptions
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori❖ Ruling: Seeking Assistance from Polytheists in Jihād is Prohibited — Except in Necessity
The default position in Sharīʿah is that Muslims should not seek the assistance of polytheists (mushrikīn) in military campaigns except in cases of necessity. This is based on explicit Prophetic instructions and several historical precedents.
✦ ➊ Direct Prohibition by the Prophet ﷺ
Narration:
A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said:
"I want to participate in Jihād with you."
The Prophet ﷺ asked:
"Do you believe in Allah and His Messenger?"
He replied: "No."
The Prophet ﷺ said:
فَارْجِعْ فَلَنْ أَسْتَعِينُ بِمُشْرِكٍ
"Then go back. I will not seek help from a polytheist."
[Muslim: 1817; Abū Dāwūd: 2733; Tirmidhī: 1558; Ibn Mājah: 2832; Aḥmad: 6/67]
✦ ➋ Avoid Even Symbolic Dependence
Narration of Anas رضي الله عنه:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
لَا تَسْتَضِيئُوا بِنَارِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
"Do not seek light from the fire of the polytheists."
[Weak: Sunan Nasā’ī: 5212; Al-Ḍuʿafā’: 4781; Aḥmad: 3/99]
Though the narration is weak, it reflects the Islamic spirit of detachment from the aid of disbelievers, particularly in sensitive matters like Jihād.✦ ➌ Accepting Islam Before Fighting
Narration of al-Barā’ رضي الله عنه:
A man approached the Prophet ﷺ, fully armed, and said:
"Should I fight first or accept Islam?"
The Prophet ﷺ said:
أَسْلِمْ ثُمَّ قَاتِلْ
"Accept Islam, then fight."
The man accepted Islam, fought, and was martyred.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"He performed little but earned much reward."
[Bukhārī: 2808; Muslim: 1900]
❖ Contradictory Historical Incidents — When the Prophet ﷺ Accepted Help from Polytheists
Despite the clear guidance mentioned above, there are several documented cases where the Prophet ﷺ accepted assistance from disbelievers, indicating exceptional allowances in cases of need or strategic interest.
✔ Examples of the Prophet ﷺ Accepting Help from Polytheists:
➊ Qazmān, a known polytheist, participated in the Battle of Uḥud and killed several enemy standard-bearers.
The Prophet ﷺ commented:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيُؤَيِّدُ هَذَا الدِّينَ بِالرَّجُلِ الْفَاجِرِ
"Indeed, Allāh supports this religion through even a sinful man."
[Al-Iṣābah: 5/335–336; Fatḥ al-Bārī: 8/248]
➋ During the
[Bukhārī: 4280; Sīrah Ibn Hishām: 4/46]
➌ On the
[Nayl al-Awṭār: 5/390]
❖ Outside of Jihād: Other Incidents of Cooperation with Polytheists
➤ Abū Ṭālib
Though he never accepted Islam, he supported the Prophet ﷺ throughout his life.
➤ During the Boycott in Shaʿb Abī Ṭālib
The polytheist clans of Banū Hāshim and Banū Muṭṭalib stood by the Prophet ﷺ, and he did not reject their support.
➤ After Ṭā’if:
The Prophet ﷺ sought protection from Muṭʿim ibn ʿAdī, a polytheist, who then escorted the Prophet ﷺ into Makkah peacefully with his sons.
➤ Hijrah to Madinah:
The Prophet ﷺ hired a polytheist guide to lead him safely through the desert route to Madinah.
❖ Scholarly Views on the Issue
✦ Ḥanafī Madhhab (Aḥnāf):
It is not permissible to seek help from disbelievers or openly sinful Muslims in Jihād.
[Nayl al-Awṭār: 4/691]
✦ Shāfiʿī Madhhab:
Initially it was prohibited, but later permitted with conditions.
[Al-Talkhīṣ al-Ḥabīr: 4/190]
✦ Preferred View (Rājiḥ):
Two important points:
➊ The hadiths are to be reconciled as follows:
- Default prohibition remains intact.
- Exception: It becomes permissible in times of genuine need.
[Al-Rawḍah al-Nadiyyah: 2/722]
➋ Trust and Alliance Matter:
- Assistance from a polytheist is not permissible if he cannot be trusted or is not a formal ally.
- If trustworthy or allied, help may be accepted, as seen in several incidents from the Prophet’s ﷺ life.
✦ Regarding Hypocrites (Munāfiqīn):
Consensus:
Seeking help from hypocrites is permissible, as the Prophet ﷺ allowed ʿAbdullāh ibn Ubayy and his supporters to participate during the Battle of Uḥud.
[Bukhārī: 3904; Muslim: 2772]
