A Comparative Study of Arms Sales to the People of the Domain of Disbelief from the Point of View of Imami Shiites and Sunnis

The use of weapons is one of the prominent factors of power for nations and governments that plays a significant role in their lives. The sale of weapons to the enemies leads to their military strengthening and endangers the security of the Islamic society. The narrations forbid the sale of weapons to the enemies, but sometimes the situation of the Islamic society is such that the sale of weapons to the enemies not only does not endanger the unity of the Islamic society, but will also benefit the Muslims. The jurists disagree about the ruling on selling weapons to the people of the domain of disbelief, and their views can be categorized into five theories: 1. It is absolutely forbidden 2. There is a distinction between the time of war and peace 3. The sale depends on the opinion of the ruler of the Islamic society, who decides based on the circumstances and requirements of the time and place and the interest of the Islamic society 4. The prohibition depends on the intention to strengthen the infidels and the enemies provided the sale strengthens the enemies 5. It is forbidden to sell weapons to infidels always and to dissident Muslims only during war. The authors of this article believe that the ruling on the mentioned issue depends on the opinion of the Islamic ruler, because it is one of the political and governmental issues on which he decides considering the requirements of time and place as well as the interest, expediency and situation of Islamic society. Using descriptive-analytical method, this research examines and critiques the reasons and documents of different views of Imami Shiites and Sunnis.