If a number of Muslim men and women want to take an oath of...

If a number of Muslim men and women want to take an oath of allegiance to the supreme religious authority that they will ascribe no thing as partner to God or that they will neither violate the prohibitions nor forego the obligations of the religion, it is then obligatory upon the supreme religious authority to accept their oath of allegiance and implore God’s forgiveness for them.

However, this oath of allegiance is not a condition for the acceptance of their Islam and faith; rather, it reinforces their beliefs and strengthens their commitment to the branches of religion. Defensive war is obligatory.

If the enemy attacks an Islamic country, threatening the principles and fundamentals of the religion, even if in a specific region, or threatening Muslim lands with occupation, it is then obligatory upon every Muslim to defend the religion, the community, and the lands of Muslims and to sacrifice his/her property and life for this cause. Such defensive war is not contingent upon any permission and it applies to both men and women.

It is forbidden to flee the battlefronts in offensive or defensive wars unless the retreat is planned to find a better position for fighting or to join other soldiers. It is forbidden to strengthen disbelief and hypocrisy, to sow disunion among Muslims, and to collide with the conspirators against a Muslim government in any way, even if it takes the form of building mosques, religious centers, and charitable establishments.

It is forbidden to prevent and discourage people to go to war, whether defensive or offensive. It is forbidden to prevent from carrying out the religious obligations through such means like speech, writings, threatening, or allurement. It is also forbidden to encourage, advance, or force people to violate the religious prohibitions.

In order to face the enemies of Islam, it is emphatically obligatory to prepare armed forces, troops, equipment of war, and transportation means that are suitable to the forces and war conditions of the enemy. It is obligatory to build and provide all necessary equipments for resistance, defense, and victory over the anti-Muslim armies.

This obligation is collective; it pertains to the community and then to the supreme religious authority who must meet the expenses of these preparations from his own treasury or from the public treasury. It is obligatory to wage war and fight against the rebels who revolt against an Imam or a religious authority appointed by the Imam.