jihad

 

Commonly thought to mean a holy war, Jihad simply means to fight in the Cause of Allah. The word literally means struggle. It is of profound importance in Islam, and it is in fact the highest level of the religion and one of the best acts of worship, according to one of today�s most foremost of scholars, Dr. Salih Al-Fawzan. Jihad has been ordained upon Muslims, and the knowledge of when and how it can be carried out comes from the Noble Qur�an, the Sunnah [Prophetic Tradition] and the consensus of Muslim scholars. Proof of the validity of Jihad as an act of worship can be found in the second sura of the Qur�an, verse 216: �Fighting has been enjoined upon you�‿

The word�s literal meaning refers to fighting the enemy with force, vigor and justice through proper adherence of Islamic jurisprudence. It does, however, mean to strive in the Cause of Allah, but not simply through physical fighting. According to one of the greatest scholars of Islam, Ibnul-Qayyim, Jihad is to be fulfilled through the heart, tongue, money or hand. What this means is fighting should only be used as a last resort. He also goes on to say that �every Muslim must strive in the Cause of Allah through any of these means.‿

Moreover, Jihad also involves striving for the purification of the soul through the controlling of one�s self and desires, struggling against Satan as well as those others who stay and are disobedient. Regarding the fighting aspect of Jihad, there are a number of restrictions place upon the Muslim during battle, so as to ensure the justness of his actions and of the battle itself. For example, the Muslim warrior is not allowed to kill or harm innocent civilians (which puts an end to the question of whether or not the use of nuclear weapons is condoned or allowed in Islam), and they include women, children, those of old age, the chronically sick and the blind. He is also not allowed to harm priests, monks, nuns or other men and women who have devoted their lives to religion. Even animals (those used in battle as well) are exempt from being targets. Furthermore, people�s homes and places of worship are to be left untouched, and trees�at least those that provide sustenance�must not be cut down.

Another interesting detail concerning warfare in Jihad is how a Muslim should respond if his enemy willingly surrenders. When this happens, the Muslim must not only accept his surrender, but also personally secure his safety by guiding him to a place whereby he may seek asylym (Qur�an: At-Tawbah: 6). As previously mentioned, all other methods are to be exhausted before any fighting is to take place. This works in a number of ways. Firstly, the calling to Islam must be exercised. The Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) used to call his enemies to Islam if they did not know about it. Indeed, many a letter was sent by him (PBUH) to the various kings and rulers of his time; many of which accepted Islam as their religion, while others did not. Similarly, the Prophet (PBUH) would also tell the army commanders to do the same before any confrontation was to begin, and to leave those who did accept Islam unharmed. This is because the main objective of Jihad, which will be further explained later, is to eliminate polythiesm and disbelief.

If, at this point, the non-Muslims do not accept Islam, then they are asked to pay the Jizyah*, and in return there would be no fighting and the non-Muslims would recieve the Muslims� protection. If they refuse to pay the Jizyah, then, and only then, is fighting to commence. Outlined above is the meaning of the word Jihad, its different types, the restrictions placed upon the Muslim engaging in it and its prerequisites; but what about the reasons why it must be done? The objectives are noble, and they are twofold: 1) to eliminate fitnah by making Allah�s Word supreme among the lands, leading the people to worship Him and Him alone (Qur�an: Al-Anfal: 39), and 2) to put an end to injustice and chaos, and to give rights to those whose rights have been taken away(Qur�an: Al-Hajj: 39-40).

The details surrounding Jihad are plenty, as it is an extremely extensive topic, and is one of great importance. Much has been written on the subject by the esteemed scholars in volumes upon volumes of wors on Sharia [Islamic law]. It is no doubt the most just war�because of both the means by which it is to be carried out and the reasons for doing so. It is also a very misunderstood aspect of Islam today, and thus it is incumbent upon Muslims to clarify it and clear away any and all misconceptions regarding it. It is also of the utmost importance to make clear that Jihad cannot be undertaken without the approval of one�s parents and of the Muslim ruler�the Amir or the Khalifah. With all of this in mind, it should now become quite obvious that all such Jihads that are spokent of today by the misguided Khawaarij are not what they say it is at all. Islam is the pure, noble and righteous religion, and thus injustice and evil have no part in it.
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*A tax required of those who have not accepted Islam which would exempt them from military service and allow them the protection of the Muslims and the Islamic state.