Muslims Protecting Their Countries is a Form of Jihad

Question :

Your children (figuratively) at the front lines are asking you, noble Shaykh, whether they will get the reward of those who fight in the way of Allah Almighty. As you know, they are facing an enemy that has not only consistently broken all treaties, but has also shown a lack of any humanity. They also ask, "Defending one's country, honor, or land - are these considered Jihad?" They further ask you to advise them with anything you may deem pertinent.

Answer:

The Book and authentic Sunnah clearly establish that the one who fights in the front lines is fighting in the way of Allâh Almighty, provided that his intention is sincerely for Allâh Almighty alone:
"O you who believe! Endure and be more patient (than your enemy), and guard (your territory by stationing army units permanently at the places from where the enemy can attack you), and fear Allah, so that you may be successful."

The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Guarding the front lines for a day and night in the path of Allah is better than fasting and praying (at night) for a month. If he dies, the deeds that used to do continue for him, and He will continue to receive his sustenance, and he will be safe from the trials (of the grave)."

He ﷺ also said:
"Guarding the front lines in the way of Allah is better than the world and what is in it; the area in Paradise equal to a whip that one of you has is better than the world and what is in it. An afternoon that a servant spends in the way of Allah, or a morning, is better than the world and what is in it.

In Sahih Al-Bukhari, it is recorded that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever's feet become dust-covered in the path of Allah, Allah will make the Fire forbidden for him."

There is no doubt that protecting one's religion, self, family, wealth, or country - all these are among the legislated types of Jihad. Whoever is killed in such cases, while being a Muslim, he is included under the description "martyr" due to the saying of the Prophet ﷺ:
"Whosoever dies protecting his religion, he is a martyr, whosoever dies protecting his wealth, he is a martyr, whosoever dies protecting his family, he is a martyr, and whosoever dies protecting his blood (his life), he is a martyr."

We advise you, defenders of the front lines, to fear Allâh Almighty, to purify your intention for Him in all of your actions, to pray your five prayers in congregation, to remember Allâh Almighty frequently, to be steadfast in obedience to Allah and His Messenger, to strive toward unity, to avoid disunity, to have patience which will bring tranquility, to think well of Allah, and to beware of disobeying Him in any way.

From the most comprehensive of Verses concerning what we have mentioned is the Saying of Allah in Surat Al-Anfal:
"O you who believe! When you meet (an enemy) force, take a firm stand against them and remember Allah much (both with tongue and mind), so that you may be successful. And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength depart, and be patient. Surely, Allah is with the patient."

May Allah correct your steps, make you steadfast in His religion, aid you and those with the truth, and with you disgrace the falsehood and its people. Indeed, the affair belongs to Him, and He is All-Capable.