The Meaning of "Fī Sabīlillāh" and Its Shar‘i Scope
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 157
Is the term “Fī Sabīlillāh” (in the way of Allah) exclusively meant for Jihād, or does it include all righteous deeds?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
Wa lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh.
✔ The term “Fī Sabīlillāh” carries a general meaning, and it applies to all acts of goodness and righteousness, unless there is a specific contextual indication that restricts it to a particular matter.
There are multiple evidences supporting this broader interpretation. A few of them are presented below:
It is narrated from ‘Ubādah ibn Rāfi‘ (رضي الله عنه) that he was going to attend the Friday prayer when he met Abū ‘Abs (رضي الله عنه) on the way. He said:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
‘Whoever's feet become dusty in the path of Allah, Allah will make the Hellfire forbidden for him.’”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Bāb al-Mashy ilā al-Jum‘ah, 1/124)
❖ This ḥadīth indicates that the term “Fī Sabīlillāh” is broad and inclusive, encompassing every righteous pursuit.
It is narrated from Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah (رضي الله عنه) that a man once passed by the Prophet ﷺ. The Sahabah (رضي الله عنهم) noticed his diligence and said:
“If only this man were in the path of Allah!”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied:
“If he has gone out to provide for his aged parents, then he is in the path of Allah.
If he has gone out to earn a lawful livelihood and preserve his modesty, then he is also in the path of Allah.
But if he has gone out to show off or for pride, then he is in the path of Shayṭān.”
(Narrated by Ṭabarānī; al-Targhīb, 2/524)
❖ This ḥadīth clearly proves that “Fī Sabīlillāh” is not limited to Jihād, but also includes serving parents, earning lawful sustenance, and other righteous endeavors.
It is narrated from Umm Ma‘qil (رضي الله عنها) that when the Prophet ﷺ set out for Ḥajjat al-Wadā‘, she said:
“We had a camel that my husband, Abū Ma‘qil, had dedicated in the path of Allah. Now I am unable to go for Ḥajj.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Why did you not go on that very camel? Ḥajj is also in the path of Allah.
If you miss the Ḥajj, then perform ‘Umrah in Ramadan, for it is equal to Hajj.”
(Sunan Abū Dāwūd, 1/279; Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī; Sunan al-Nasā’ī; Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Khuzaymah; al-Targhīb, 2/182–183)
❖ This ḥadīth confirms that Ḥajj and ‘Umrah are also acts of “Fī Sabīlillāh”, not just Jihād.
Imām Ibn al-Ālīr (رحمه الله) states:
“The term ‘Fī Sabīlillāh’ encompasses every act done for the sake of pleasing Allah, such as Ṣalāh, Ṣawm, Zakāh, Jihād, Nawāfil, and all other righteous deeds.”
He further explains:
“Although the term is commonly used to refer to Jihād, this frequent usage does not mean it is restricted to Jihād alone.”
(See: Hay’at Kibār al-‘Ulamā’, 1/59–98; Sharḥ al-Nawawī ‘alā Muslim, 1/330)
✔ The meaning of “Fī Sabīlillāh” is broad and inclusive, covering every virtuous and righteous act, unless a specific context restricts it.
✔ While Jihād is certainly included under “Fī Sabīlillāh”, so too are serving one’s parents, earning ḥalāl sustenance, performing Ḥajj and ‘Umrah, giving charity, and other righteous deeds.
✔ Believing that “Fī Sabīlillāh” is restricted only to Jihād is a misconception and is contrary to the evidences of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Wa-Allāhu A‘lam bi-ṣ-Ṣawāb.
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 157
❖ Question:
Is the term “Fī Sabīlillāh” (in the way of Allah) exclusively meant for Jihād, or does it include all righteous deeds?
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
Wa lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh.
✔ The term “Fī Sabīlillāh” carries a general meaning, and it applies to all acts of goodness and righteousness, unless there is a specific contextual indication that restricts it to a particular matter.
There are multiple evidences supporting this broader interpretation. A few of them are presented below:
① First Evidence: The Noble Hadith
It is narrated from ‘Ubādah ibn Rāfi‘ (رضي الله عنه) that he was going to attend the Friday prayer when he met Abū ‘Abs (رضي الله عنه) on the way. He said:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
‘Whoever's feet become dusty in the path of Allah, Allah will make the Hellfire forbidden for him.’”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Bāb al-Mashy ilā al-Jum‘ah, 1/124)❖ This ḥadīth indicates that the term “Fī Sabīlillāh” is broad and inclusive, encompassing every righteous pursuit.
② Second Evidence: Earning Livelihood and Working Hard
It is narrated from Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah (رضي الله عنه) that a man once passed by the Prophet ﷺ. The Sahabah (رضي الله عنهم) noticed his diligence and said:
“If only this man were in the path of Allah!”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied:
“If he has gone out to provide for his aged parents, then he is in the path of Allah.
If he has gone out to earn a lawful livelihood and preserve his modesty, then he is also in the path of Allah.
But if he has gone out to show off or for pride, then he is in the path of Shayṭān.”
(Narrated by Ṭabarānī; al-Targhīb, 2/524)❖ This ḥadīth clearly proves that “Fī Sabīlillāh” is not limited to Jihād, but also includes serving parents, earning lawful sustenance, and other righteous endeavors.
③ Third Evidence: Ḥajj and ‘Umrah Are Also Included in “Fī Sabīlillāh”
It is narrated from Umm Ma‘qil (رضي الله عنها) that when the Prophet ﷺ set out for Ḥajjat al-Wadā‘, she said:
“We had a camel that my husband, Abū Ma‘qil, had dedicated in the path of Allah. Now I am unable to go for Ḥajj.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Why did you not go on that very camel? Ḥajj is also in the path of Allah.
If you miss the Ḥajj, then perform ‘Umrah in Ramadan, for it is equal to Hajj.”
(Sunan Abū Dāwūd, 1/279; Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī; Sunan al-Nasā’ī; Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Khuzaymah; al-Targhīb, 2/182–183)❖ This ḥadīth confirms that Ḥajj and ‘Umrah are also acts of “Fī Sabīlillāh”, not just Jihād.
❖ The View of the Scholars
Imām Ibn al-Ālīr (رحمه الله) states:
“The term ‘Fī Sabīlillāh’ encompasses every act done for the sake of pleasing Allah, such as Ṣalāh, Ṣawm, Zakāh, Jihād, Nawāfil, and all other righteous deeds.”
He further explains:
“Although the term is commonly used to refer to Jihād, this frequent usage does not mean it is restricted to Jihād alone.”
(See: Hay’at Kibār al-‘Ulamā’, 1/59–98; Sharḥ al-Nawawī ‘alā Muslim, 1/330)❖ Conclusion:
✔ The meaning of “Fī Sabīlillāh” is broad and inclusive, covering every virtuous and righteous act, unless a specific context restricts it.
✔ While Jihād is certainly included under “Fī Sabīlillāh”, so too are serving one’s parents, earning ḥalāl sustenance, performing Ḥajj and ‘Umrah, giving charity, and other righteous deeds.
✔ Believing that “Fī Sabīlillāh” is restricted only to Jihād is a misconception and is contrary to the evidences of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Wa-Allāhu A‘lam bi-ṣ-Ṣawāb.
