What Is the View on Ceasefires and Those Who Violate Them in Shari’a?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
What is the view on ceasefires in Shari‘a, and what are the implications if one party breaks the agreement?
Answer
In Shari‘a, ceasefires (hudna or mu‘ahada) are permissible and sometimes necessary to preserve life and promote justice. They must be based on mutual consent, clear terms, and alignment with Islamic principles. Allah (Most High) says:
“But if they incline towards peace, then incline towards it as well and put your trust in Allah” [Quran, 8:61].
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) demonstrated their validity in treaties like Hudaybiyya.
If one party breaches the agreement deliberately, the other is no longer bound, as indicated in the verse:
“And if you fear treachery from a people, withdraw from them in a just manner” [Quran, 8:58].
Minor breaches should be resolved amicably, while Muslims must rectify breaches if they are at fault, adhering to the Quranic command: “O you who believe! Fulfill ˹all˺ contracts” [Quran, 5:1].
Ceasefires reflect the Shari‘a’s emphasis on justice and mercy.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Mohammad Abu Bakr Badhib
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.