Ruling on Jihād Without Parents’ Permission
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah (Tawḍīḥ al-Aḥkām), Vol. 2, p. 211
I have a great desire to participate in jihād, but my mother does not allow it. Is it permissible to go for jihād without the permission of one’s mother or father? If one parent permits but the other does not, is it then permissible?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
If jihād bil-sayf (armed fighting) is not nafr al-ʿām (i.e., an individual obligation), then in such a case it is necessary to obtain the permission of Muslim parents.
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ رضي الله عنه narrated:
A man, Jāhimah رضي الله عنه, came to the Prophet ﷺ and sought permission to participate in jihād.
The Prophet ﷺ asked: “Are your parents alive?”
He replied: “Yes.”
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Then strive in their service.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Vol. 1, p. 421, Ḥadīth: 3004; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 5/2549)
Based on this and other aḥādīth, the majority of scholars hold that:
Reference: Fatḥ al-Bārī (Vol. 6, pp. 140–141)
If jihād is not nafr al-ʿām (an individual obligation), then it is necessary to have the parents’ consent and approval. Disobeying them and joining such a jihād without their permission is not permissible.
For a detailed discussion, see: al-Jihād fī Sabīlillāh by ʿAbdullāh ibn Aḥmad al-Duktūr (Vol. 1, pp. 90–92).
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah (Tawḍīḥ al-Aḥkām), Vol. 2, p. 211
Question:
I have a great desire to participate in jihād, but my mother does not allow it. Is it permissible to go for jihād without the permission of one’s mother or father? If one parent permits but the other does not, is it then permissible?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
If jihād bil-sayf (armed fighting) is not nafr al-ʿām (i.e., an individual obligation), then in such a case it is necessary to obtain the permission of Muslim parents.
Evidence from Ḥadīth:
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ رضي الله عنه narrated:
A man, Jāhimah رضي الله عنه, came to the Prophet ﷺ and sought permission to participate in jihād.
The Prophet ﷺ asked: “Are your parents alive?”
He replied: “Yes.”
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Then strive in their service.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Vol. 1, p. 421, Ḥadīth: 3004; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 5/2549)
Consensus of the Scholars:
Based on this and other aḥādīth, the majority of scholars hold that:
- If the parents are Muslim, it is not permissible to go for jihād without their permission,
- Except when jihād becomes farḍ ʿayn and nafr al-ʿām is declared — for example, if the enemy attacks or there is a general call from the Muslim leadership.
Reference: Fatḥ al-Bārī (Vol. 6, pp. 140–141)
Summary:
If jihād is not nafr al-ʿām (an individual obligation), then it is necessary to have the parents’ consent and approval. Disobeying them and joining such a jihād without their permission is not permissible.
For a detailed discussion, see: al-Jihād fī Sabīlillāh by ʿAbdullāh ibn Aḥmad al-Duktūr (Vol. 1, pp. 90–92).
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
