Reappraisal of the Theoretical and Practical Challenges of Nafy-i Sabīl (Negation of Domination) Rule

The content of verse 141 of Sūrat al-Nisā is the basis of nafy-i sabīl “negation of domination) rule. The jurists considered the declarative content of this verse to be an order and accordingly ruled that any action that causes the infidels to dominate over the believers is prohibited. Regardless of this rule, the concept that Muslims should not act in such a way that the infidels dominate them and distort their dignity is accepted by Muslim. However, this rule faces challenges both in terms of inference and implementation. The difference in the revelation occasion of this verse, the difference in the conceptology of nafy-i sabīl and its scope of inclusion are two important theoretical challenges related to this rule.