When must idol worshippers (Abdah al-Awthan) be called to Islam before fighting?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Jihad
Primary text
Idol worshippers must be called to Islam before being fought, provided the message of Islam has not reached them. If the call has spread and become general, only those rarely found in remote areas who have not received the call should be invited before combat. If they refuse Islam, they must be offered the option of paying Jizyah. If they accept Jizyah, fighting must cease. If they refuse both, then fighting them is permissible. This is based on the command given in the Hadith narrated by Abu Dawud and Muslim, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed his commanders to first invite the polytheistic enemy to Islam, then to Jizyah if they refuse Islam, and only then to fight if both are refused.
Supporting text
Some scholars argue that the command to invite polytheists originated at the beginning of Islam before the call spread widely. Currently, the call has spread to almost everyone, meaning such an invitation might be unnecessary, although issuing the invitation if done is not prohibited. Furthermore, some jurists hold that the command to invite in the Hadith of Buraydah should be interpreted as desirable (mustahabb) in all circumstances, citing the Prophet's command to Ali before the battle of Khaybar to invite the people, even though the call had reached them.