THE WAR BETWEEN IRAN AND AMERICA & ITS ALLIES: WHOM SHOULD WE SUPPORT?

This year, during Ramadan, we are faced with a truly shocking phenomenon. A few days ago, the United States and its allies suddenly launched an attack on Iran at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2026. The attack reportedly killed Iran's Grand Imam, Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, along with several senior Iranian officials.

Ironically, some of our brothers, particularly from Salafi or Wahabi circles, have shown joy over the American attack on Iran, including the passing of the Iranian spiritual leader.

This attitude is usually based on opinions attributed to several preachers who strongly criticize Iranian authority. Based on these views, some Salafi/Wahabi groups believe that the destruction of Iran is something to be grateful for. Some of the reasons often cited include:

1. Theological Issues: Iran is seen as the representation of Shia Islam, which is accused of declaring some companions of the Prophet as disbelievers (kafir). On this basis, they argue that Iran deserves to be destroyed.

2. Political Alliances: Iran is seen as an ally of the Syrian government under Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian government is viewed as attacking its own people's rebel groups. In that conflict, groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda (which are Sunni-oriented) also emerged. This situation then evolved into a narrative of sectarian conflict between Shia and Sunni. Based on this, Iran as the representative of Shia, is deemed worthy of being opposed.

3. Religious Practices: Some Salafi circles consider several Shia worship practices as bid’ah (heresy). Therefore, Iran is considered deserving of being devastated.

On the other hand, there are groups that defend Iran. They argue that Iran is the only country brave enough to provide military resistance against the United States and its allies. Furthermore, in the conflict between Palestine and Israel, Iran is often cited as the party helping the struggle of groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.

Meanwhile, many neighboring countries with Muslim-majority populations are perceived as not providing direct military support. The aid provided is generally logistical, such as food, drink, and medical equipment.

For many Muslims, this situation certainly causes confusion. How is it possible for fellow Muslims to hate each other, even though they have the same God and the same Prophet? In recent days, debates regarding this matter have been buzzing across social media.

So, what is the actual view of the Qur’an regarding this issue, so that we as Muslims can think, act, and judge an event according to Allah's guidance?

Qur’anic Principles Regarding Killing

1. The prohibition of killing humans without a just cause

Allah emphasizes that killing one human soul without a valid reason is as if one has killed all of humanity on earth. Conversely, saving one human soul is as if one has saved all of humanity.

QS. Al-Maidah: 32

مِنۡ أَجۡلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبۡنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ أَنَّهُۥ مَن قَتَلَ نَفۡسَۢا بِغَيۡرِ نَفۡسٍ أَوۡ فَسَادٖ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعٗا وَمَنۡ أَحۡيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَآ أَحۡيَا ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعٗاۚ

"Therefore We decreed for the Children of Israel that whoever kills a human being, not in retaliation for another human being, or for causing corruption in the land, it is as if he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves the life of a human being, it is as if he has saved the life of all mankind."

2. Killing is only justified for valid reasons

Allah also emphasizes that human life must not be taken except for a just cause.

QS. Al-Isra: 33

وَلَا تَقۡتُلُواْ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِي حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّۗ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظۡلُومٗا فَقَدۡ جَعَلۡنَا لِوَلِيِّهِۦ سُلۡطَٰنٗا فَلَا يُسۡرِف فِّي ٱلۡقَتۡلِۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مَنصُورٗا

"And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden (to kill), except with a just (reason). And whoever is killed unjustly, then indeed We have given authority to his heirs, but let not the heirs exceed the limits in killing. Indeed, he is the one who is helped."

3. Justified reasons in the Qur’an

In the principles explained by the Qur’an, killing is only justified in two main conditions:

• a. In a state of war (when attacked)

QS. At-Taubah: 111

۞إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱشۡتَرَىٰ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَأَمۡوَٰلَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلۡجَنَّةَۚ يُقَٰتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَيَقۡتُلُونَ وَيُقۡتَلُونَۖ

"Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah, so they kill and are killed."

• b. In the execution of Qisas (legal retribution)

QS. Al-Baqarah: 178

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡقِصَاصُ فِي ٱلۡقَتۡلَىۖ ٱلۡحُرُّ بِٱلۡحُرِّ وَٱلۡعَبۡدُ بِٱلۡعَبۡدِ وَٱلۡأُنثَىٰ بِٱلۡأُنثَىٰۚ

"O you who believe, retaliation is prescribed for you in respect of those who are killed; the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female."

Principles of Judgment in Conflict

From the basic principles explained in the Qur’an, it can be understood that killing is fundamentally a forbidden act, except in the two conditions mentioned. Therefore, if the question arises: Who should be supported in the conflict between Iran and America and its allies?

The answer is: The party that was attacked first.

If, in this conflict, Iran is the party that was attacked and did not initiate the war, then according to the principle of justice, the attacked party is the one who deserves support.

The same principle can be applied to other conflicts. For example, in the conflict between the Syrian government and its people. The fundamental question to ask is: who started the oppression or the war? If the state started the attack against its people, then morally, it is the people who should be supported.

Similarly, in theological matters, for example, if there is a group that declares the Prophet's companions as disbelievers, then the ones who must be defended are the companions.

With this way of thinking, based on Qur’anic principles, we can avoid the trap of generalization, assuming an entire group is wrong just because of the actions of a few individuals. Not all Shia have the same views, just as not all Sunni have a uniform perspective.

A Simple Analogy

As a simple illustration:

Imagine we have two neighbors: one Muslim and one non-Muslim. One day, the Muslim neighbor oppresses the non-Muslim neighbor. In such a condition, the one we should defend is the oppressed neighbor, even if they are not Muslim. Conversely, if the non-Muslim neighbor oppresses the Muslim neighbor, then we must defend the Muslim neighbor who is the victim.

This principle emphasizes that justice must be upheld regardless of religious or group identity.

The Mission of Islam: Justice and Peace

The principles of justice and peace are the core of Islamic teachings. Does the word "Islam" itself not relate to the meaning of peace and safety?

This concept is also related to the role of humans as khalifah (vicegerents) on earth, the successors of previous peoples who often caused corruption and shed blood.

QS. Al-Baqarah: 30

وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٞ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ خَلِيفَةٗۖ قَالُوٓاْ أَتَجۡعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفۡسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسۡفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحۡنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمۡدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَۖ قَالَ إِنِّيٓ أَعۡلَمُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ

"And remember when your Lord said to the angels: "Indeed, I am going to place a khalifah (vicegerents) on earth." They said: "Why do You want to place on earth one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?"

Reflection

If we are unable to bring justice and peace to the earth, and instead rejoice over someone's death and celebrate the occurrence of war, then we must ask ourselves:

Are we worthy of being called khalifah on earth, or do we instead belong to the group described by the angels as those who cause corruption and shed blood?

@AbuMusa2026