During a conflict between the Persians and the Romans, the polytheists hoped for a Persian victory since the Persians were illiterate magus, while the Muslims preferred a Roman victory because the Romans were People of the Book. The Persian king (Kisra) sent an army against the Romans, and the Roman emperor (Caesar) sent his forces against the Persians. Eventually, the Persians defeated the Romans, which saddened the Muslims in Mecca and delighted the polytheists. The disbelievers said to the Muslims: “You are People of the Book, and the Christians are also People of the Book, while we are illiterate. Our brothers among the Persians have triumphed over your brothers from among the Romans. If you fight us, we will also triumph over you.” In response, Allah revealed: “Alif, Lam, Meem. The Byzantines have been defeated. In the nearest land. But they, after their defeat, will overcome. Within three to nine years. To Allah belongs the command before and after. And that day the believers will rejoice. In the victory of Allah. He gives victory to whom He wills, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.” (Ar-Rum: 1-5)

Upon hearing this, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq went to the disbelievers and said: “You rejoiced at your brothers' victory, but do not rejoice too much, for by Allah, they [the Romans] will surely defeat the Persians, as our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has informed us.” ⁽¹⁾

This incident highlights that rejoicing at the destruction of enemies is permissible, as evidenced by the following points:

1. The Believers’ Rejoicing at Allah’s Victory Over the Persians

The above ayahs from the Qur'an demonstrate that believers rejoice in Allah's victory, which includes the defeat of wrongdoers and tyrants. This is further supported by a narration from Sunan At-Tirmidhi in which Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri said: “On the Day of Badr, the Romans had a victory over the Persians. So the believers were pleased with that.”

2. Gratitude to Allah Upon the Destruction of Tyrants

Allah says, “So when they forgot that by which they had been reminded, We opened to them the doors of every [good] thing until, when they rejoiced in that which they were given, We seized them suddenly, and they were [then] in despair. So the people that committed wrong were eliminated. And praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (Al-An'am: 44-45)

3. Healing Believers' Hearts Through the Destruction of Criminals

Allah says, “Fight them; Allah will punish them by your hands and will disgrace them and give you victory over them and satisfy the breasts of a believing people. And remove the fury in the believers' hearts. And Allah turns in forgiveness to whom He wills; and Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (At-Tawbah: 14-15) This ayah indicates that punishing disbelieving aggressors and achieving victory over them brings comfort and satisfaction to believers' hearts.

4. Victory Over Criminals as a Blessing and Favor

Allah says, “O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allah upon you when armies came to [attack] you and We sent upon them a wind and armies [of angels] you did not see. And ever is Allah, of what you do, Seeing.” (Al-Ahzab: 9) This ayah shows that the destruction of Allah’s enemies is one of His blessings upon believers, necessitating gratitude and joy.

5. The Prophet’s Praise of Allah Upon the Destruction of Tyrants

Ibn Hisham narrated from Abdullah ibn Mas'ud: “On the day of Badr, I found Abu Jahl breathing his last, and I recognized him. I then placed my foot on his neck, and said: `Has Allah not now disgraced you, O enemy of Allah?' He answered: `You little shepherd! You have now reached high status.' I then cut off his head and brought it to the Messenger of Allah and said: `This is the head of the enemy of Allah, Abu Jahl.'” ⁽²⁾

6. The Comfort of the People and Land Through the Death of Tyrants

Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrates from Abu Qatada bin Rib'i Al-Ansari: A funeral procession passed by Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) who said, “Relieved or relieving?” The people asked, “O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! What is relieved and relieving?” He said, “A believer is relieved (by death) from the troubles and hardships of the world and leaves for the Mercy of Allah, while (the death of) a wicked person relieves the people, the land, the trees, (and) the animals from him.” This hadith affirms that the death of tyrants brings relief to all creatures, as if their destruction brings joy to the whole universe.

7. The Companions’ Joy at the Death of Tyrants

Ibn Abi Shaybah reported in his Musannaf that Abu Bakr As-Siddiq prostrated in gratitude when he heard of the death of Musaylimah the Liar. It is also narrated that Ali ibn Abi Talib prostrated when he saw Dhu al-Thadiyyah among the dead Khawarij. ⁽³⁾

8. Scholars' Joy at the Death of Tyrants and Jurists' Fatwas Permitting It

Ibn Sa’d narrated in Al-Tabaqat from Abu Hanifa, who reported from Hammad: “I brought the news of Al-Hajjaj's death to Ibrahim Al-Nakha’i, who prostrated [in gratitude].” Hammad said: “I never thought people could cry from joy until I saw Ibrahim Al-Nakha’i cry upon hearing of Al-Hajjaj’s death.” ⁽⁴⁾

Abu Bakr ibn Al-Khallal mentioned that someone asked Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal whether it was sinful to rejoice at what befell the followers of Ibn Abi Du'ad. Imam Ahmad replied: “Who would not rejoice at that?” ⁽⁵⁾

Ibn Kathir said: Among who passed away in the year 568 AH: “Al-Hasan bin Safi al-Turki was one of the most prominent commanders in Baghdad, who held significant control over the state. However, he was a malicious Rafidhi (Shia group rejecting the legitimacy of the caliphate of Abu Bakr) and a staunch advocate for the Rafidhis, who thrived under his protection and influence. Allah relieved the Muslims from his harm in that year during the month of Dhul-Hijjah. He was initially buried in his home and later moved to the cemeteries of Quraish. So, to Allah belongs all praise and gratitude. When he died, the people of the Sunnah school of thought rejoiced immensely, expressing their gratitude to Allah. You could hardly find anyone among them who was not praising Allah.” ⁽⁶⁾

Al-Izz Ibn Abd al-Salam issued a fatwa stating that “there is no blame in rejoicing over the death of an enemy, signifying the cessation of their harm and the protection from their evil.” ⁽⁷⁾

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1. Tafsir Al-Baghawi (6/257).
2. As-Sirah an-Nabawy by Ibn Hisham (1/635).
3. Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah (2/366).
4. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra by Ibn Sa’d (6/287).
5. As-Sunnah by Abu Bakr Ibn Al-Khallal (5/121).
6. Al Bidayah wa An-Nihayah (12/338).
7. Al-Bariqa Al-Mahmudiyyah (p. 192).

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