Is military service permissible?

Question

Question: What is the ruling on Muslims serving in the army in our country, India? Further, if a Muslim who has enlisted in the army — when our country India comes into confrontation with any Muslim or non-Muslim country and war breaks out — perishes in the war on the side of his country India, will this deceased Muslim soldier be considered deserving of the rank of martyrdom (shahada) or not? And will it be correct to call him a shahid (martyr) or not?

Answer

Serving in the army to protect the country from oppressors is proper. If some oppressor attacked and this man was killed while defending, then, in sha’ Allah, the slain man will be a shahid: [ar]«من قتل دون ماله»، «من قتل دون دمه»، «من قتل دون عرضه»

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.