In Islam, country does not come before religion. Religion comes before country. The reason for this is that a Muslims loyalty and obligation to Allah and his Prophet (PBUH) is supreme and overrides all other obligations. If a Muslim country decides to bomb Mecca and Medina, do the Muslims in that Muslim country's air force participate? No. It would be their religious duty not to participate in such a plan. In fact, it would be their religious duty to ensure that such a plan does not materialize.
In other words, its not black and white as some here have insinuated. Can a Muslim serve in the armed forces of a non-Muslim state? Perhaps, as long as it does not conflict with his duty as a Muslim. If the non-Muslim country in whose military he is serving decides to invade a Muslim country, a serious conflict-of-interest situation would arise from Islam's standpoint. I'm quite sure, he will not be a "Shaheed" if he dies attacking Muslims. Shahadat can only be attained whilst fighting in the way of Allah. I doubt it very much that the US invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan come under the definition of fighting in the way of Allah. When a non-Muslim country invades a Muslims country (especially unjustifiably), it becomes a religious obligation on Muslims to defend that country as all perimeters of Jihad are achieved. In the circumstances, I doubt it if a Muslim who is part of the non-Muslim invading force would be "shaheed" if he dies.
Personally, I believe that Muslims should avoid serving in the armed forces of non-Muslim countries to avoid conflicts of interest between their country and faith (especially USA and UK because these two countries are regularly at war with Muslims).
In other words, its not black and white as some here have insinuated. Can a Muslim serve in the armed forces of a non-Muslim state? Perhaps, as long as it does not conflict with his duty as a Muslim. If the non-Muslim country in whose military he is serving decides to invade a Muslim country, a serious conflict-of-interest situation would arise from Islam's standpoint. I'm quite sure, he will not be a "Shaheed" if he dies attacking Muslims. Shahadat can only be attained whilst fighting in the way of Allah. I doubt it very much that the US invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan come under the definition of fighting in the way of Allah. When a non-Muslim country invades a Muslims country (especially unjustifiably), it becomes a religious obligation on Muslims to defend that country as all perimeters of Jihad are achieved. In the circumstances, I doubt it if a Muslim who is part of the non-Muslim invading force would be "shaheed" if he dies.
Personally, I believe that Muslims should avoid serving in the armed forces of non-Muslim countries to avoid conflicts of interest between their country and faith (especially USA and UK because these two countries are regularly at war with Muslims).
