In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful
| Jihad Explained
By M. Amir Ali, Ph.D. In the linguistic sense, the Arabic word "jihad" means struggling or striving and applies to any effort exerted by anyone. In this sense, a student struggles and strives to get an education and pass course work; an employee strives to fulfill his/her job and maintain good relations with his/her employer; a politician strives to maintain or increase his(1) popularity with his constituents and so on. The term strive or struggle may be used
for/by Muslims as well as non-Muslims; for example, Allah, the One and
Only True God says in the Qur'an: In the above two verses of the Qur'an , it is non-Muslim parents who strive (jahadaka) to convert their Muslim child back to their religion. In the West, "jihad" is
generally translated as "holy war," a usage the media has
popularized. According to Islamic teachings, it is unholy to instigate
or start war; however, some wars are inevitable and justifiable. If we translate the words "holy
war" back into Arabic, we find "harbun muqaddasatu," or
for "the holy war," "al-harbu al-muqaddasatu." We
challenge any researcher or scholar to find the meaning of
"jihad" as holy war in the Qur'an or authentic Hadith
collections or in early Islamic literature. Unfortunately, some
Muslim writers and translators of the Qur'an, the Hadith and other
Islamic literature translate the term "jihad" as "holy
war," due to the influence of centuries-old Western propaganda. This could be a
reflection of the Christian use of the term "Holy War" to
refer to the Crusades of a thousand years ago. However, the Arabic words
for "war" are "harb" or "qital," which are
found in the Qur'an and Hadith. For Muslims the term Jihad is applied to all forms of striving and has developed some special meanings over time. The sources of this development are the Qur'an (the Word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad(S) [(S) denotes Sall-Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam, meaning peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]. The Qur'an and the Hadith use the word
"jihad" in several different contexts which are given below: 1. RECOGNIZING THE CREATOR AND LOVING HIM
MOST: It is human nature to love what is seen
with the eyes and felt with the senses more than the unseen reality. The
Creator of the Universe and the One God is Allah. He is the Unseen
Reality which we tend to ignore and not recognize. The Qur'an addresses
those who claim to be believers: "O you who believe! Choose not your
fathers nor your brethren for protectors if they love disbelief over
belief; whoever of you takes them for protectors, such are wrong-doers.
Say: if your fathers, and your children, and your brethren, and your
spouses, and your tribe, and the wealth you have acquired, and business
for which you fear shrinkage, and houses you are pleased with are dearer
to you than Allah and His Messenger and striving
in His way: then wait till Allah brings His command to pass. Allah does
not guide disobedient folk." (The Holy Quran 9:23, 24) It is indeed a struggle to put Allah ahead of our loved ones, our wealth, our worldly ambitions and our own lives. Especially for a non-Muslim who embraces Islam, it may be a tough struggle due to the opposition of his family, peers and society. 2. RESISTING PRESSURE OF PARENTS, PEERS,
AND SOCIETY: Once a person has made up his mind to put
the Creator of the Universe above all else, he often comes under intense
pressures. It is not easy to resist such pressures and strive to
maintain dedication and love of Allah over all else. A person who has
turned to Islam from another religion may be subjected to pressures
designed to turn him back to the religion of the family. We read in the
Qur'an: "So obey not the rejecters of faith,
but strive (jahidhum) against them by it
(the Qur'an) with a great endeavor." 3. STAYING ON THE STRAIGHT PATH
STEADFASTLY: Allah says in the Qur'an: "And strive
(Jadihu) for Allah with the endeavor (Jihadihi) which is His right. He
has chosen you and has not laid upon you in the deen (religion) any
hardship..." "And whosoever strives
(Jahada), strives (yujahidu) only for himself, for lo! Allah is
altogether independent of the universe." As for those who strive and struggle to
live as true Muslims whose lives are made difficult due to persecution
by their opponents, they are advised to migrate to a more peaceful and
tolerant land and continue with their struggle in the cause of Allah.
Allah says in the Qur'an: "Lo! As for those whom the angels
take (in death) while they wronged themselves, (the angels) will ask:
'In what you were engaged?' They will way: 'We were oppressed in the
land.' (The angels) will say: 'Was not Allah's earth spacious that you
could have migrated therein?'" "Lo! Those who believe, and those
who emigrate (to escape persecution) and strive
(Jahadu) in the way of Allah, these have hope of Allah's mercy..." Allah tests the believers in their faith
and their steadfastness: "Or did you think that you would
enter Paradise while yet Allah knows not those of you who really strive
(Jahadu), nor knows those (of you) who are steadfast." "And surely We shall try you with
something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and fruits;
but give tidings to the steadfast." We find that the Prophet Muhammad (S) and
his clan were boycotted socially and economically for three years to
force him to stop his message and compromise with the pagans but he
resisted and realized a moral victory(2). 4. STRIVING FOR RIGHTEOUS DEEDS: Allah declares in the Qur'an: "As for those who strive
(Jahadu) in Us (the cause of Allah), We surely guide them to Our paths,
and lo! Allah is with the good doers." When we are faced with two competing
interests, it becomes jihad to choose the right one, as the following
Hadith exemplify: "Aisha, wife of the Prophet (S)
asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, we see jihad as the best of deeds, so
shouldn't we join it?' He replied, 'But the best of jihad is a
perfect Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah).'" At another occasion, a man asked the
Prophet Muhammad (S): "'Should I join the jihad?' He
asked, 'Do you have parents?' The man said, 'Yes!' The Prophet (S) said,
'Then strive by serving them!'" Yet another man asked the Messenger of
Allah (S): "'What kind of jihad is better?' He
replied, 'A word of truth in front of an oppressive ruler!'" (Sunan
Al-Nasa'i , No. 4209) The Messenger of Allah(S) said: 5. HAVING COURAGE AND STEADFASTNESS TO
CONVEY THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM: The Qur'an narrates the experiences of a
large number of Prophets and good people who suffered a great deal
trying to convey the message of Allah to mankind. For examples, see the
Qur'an 26:1-190, 36:13-32. In the Qur'an, Allah specifically praises
those who strive to convey His message: "Who is better in speech than one
who calls (other people) to Allah, works righteous, and declares that he
is from the Muslims." Under adverse conditions it takes great
courage to remain a Muslim, declare oneself to be a Muslim and call
others to Islam. We read in the Qur'an: "The (true) believers are only those who believe in Allah and his messenger and afterward doubt not, but strive with their wealth and their selves for the cause of Allah. Such are the truthful." (The Holy Quran, 49:15). 6. DEFENDING ISLAM AND THE COMMUNITY: Allah declares in the Qur'an: "To those against whom war is made,
permission is given (to defend themselves), because they are wronged -
and verily, Allah is Most Powerful to give them victory - (they are)
those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right -
(for no cause) except that they say, 'Our Lord is Allah'..." The Qur'an permits fighting to defend the
religion of Islam and the Muslims. This permission includes fighting in
self-defense and for the protection of family and property. The early
Muslims fought many battles against their enemies under the leadership
of the Prophet Muhammad (S) or his representatives. For example, when
the pagans of Quraysh brought armies against Prophet Muhammad (S), the
Muslims fought to defend their faith and community (3). The Qur'an adds: "Fight in the cause of Allah against
those who fight against you, but do not transgress limits. Lo! Allah
loves not aggressors. ...And fight them until persecution is no more,
and religion is for Allah. But if they desist, then let there be no
hostility except against transgressors." (The Holy Quran, 2:190,
193). 7. HELPING ALLIED PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT BE
MUSLIM: In the late period of the Prophet Muhammad's (S) life, the tribe of Banu Khuza'ah became his ally. They were living near Makkah which was under the rule of the pagan Quraysh, Prophet Muhammad's (S) own tribe. The tribe of Banu Bakr, an ally of Quraysh, with the help of some elements of Quraysh, attacked Banu Khuza'ah invoked the treaty and demanded Prophet Muhammad (S) to come to their help and punish Quraysh. The Prophet Muhammad(S) organized a campaign against Quraysh of Makkah which resulted in the conquest of Makkah which occurred without any battle (4). 8. REMOVING TREACHEROUS PEOPLE FROM
POWER: Allah orders the Muslims in the Qur'an: "If you fear treachery from any
group, throw back (their treaty) to them, (so as to be) on equal terms.
Lo! Allah loves not the treacherous." Prophet Muhammad (S) undertook a number
of armed campaigns to remove treacherous people from power and their
lodgings. He had entered into pacts with several tribes, however, some
of them proved themselves treacherous. Prophet Muhammad (S) launched
armed campaigns against these tribes, defeated and exiled them from
Medina and its surroundings (5). 9. DEFENDING THROUGH PREEMPTIVE STRIKES: Indeed, it is difficult to mobilize
people to fight when they see no invaders in their territory; however,
those who are charged with responsibility see dangers ahead of time and
must provide leadership. The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S), had the
responsibility to protect his people and the religion he established in
Arabia. Whenever he received intelligence reports about enemies
gathering near his borders he carried out preemptive strikes, broke
their power and dispersed them (6). Allah ordered Muslims in the Qur'an: "Fighting is prescribed upon you,
and you dislike it. But it may happen that you dislike a thing which is
good for you, and it may happen that you love a thing which is bad for
you. And Allah knows and you know not." 10. GAINING FREEDOM TO INFORM, EDUCATE
AND CONVEY THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM IN AN OPEN AND FREE ENVIRONMENT: Allah declares in the Qur'an: "They ask you (Muhammad) concerning
fighting in the Sacred Month. Say, 'Fighting therein is a grave
(offense) but graver is it in the sight of Allah to prevent access to
the path of Allah, to deny Him, to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque,
and drive out its inhabitants. Persecution is worse than killing. Nor
will they cease fighting you until they turn you back from your faith,
if they can..." "And those who, when an oppressive
wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) fight back." To gain this freedom, Prophet Muhammad(S)
said: "Strive (Jahidu) against the
disbelievers with your hands and tongues." The life of the Prophet Muhammad(S) was
full of striving to gain the freedom to inform and convey the message of
Islam. During his stay in Makkah he used non-violent methods and after
the establishment of his government in Madinah, by the permission of
Allah, he used armed struggle against his enemies whenever he found it
inevitable. 11. FREEING PEOPLE FROM TYRANNY: Allah admonishes Muslims in the Qur'an: "And why should you not fight in the
cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and
oppressed)? - Men, women, and children, whose cry is: 'Our Lord! Rescue
us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from
You, one who will protect; and raise for us from You, one who will
help.'" (The Holy Quran, 4:75) The mission of the Prophet Muhammad (S)
was to free people from tyranny and exploitation by oppressive systems.
Once free, individuals in the society were then free to chose Islam or
not. Prophet Muhammad's(S) successors continued in his footsteps and
went to help oppressed people. For example, after the repeated call by
the oppressed people of Spain to the Muslims for help, Spain was
liberated by Muslim forces and the tyrant rulers removed. After the
conquest of Syria and Iraq by the Muslims, the Christian population of
Hims reportedly said to the Muslims: "We like your rule and justice far
better than the state of oppression and tyranny under which we have been
living."(7) The defeated rulers of Syria were Roman
Christians, and Iraq was ruled by Zoarastrian Persians. WHAT SHOULD MUSLIMS DO WHEN THEY ARE
VICTORIOUS? Muslims should remove tyranny, treachery,
bigotry, and ignorance and replace them with justice and equity. We
should provide truthful knowledge and free people from the bondage of 'associationism'
(Shirk, or multiple gods), prejudice, superstition and mythology.
Muslims remove immorality, fear, crime, exploitation and replace them
with divine morality, peace and education. The Qur'an declares: "Lo! Allah commands you that you
restore deposits to their owners, and if you judge between mankind that
you judge justly. Lo! It is proper that Allah admonishes you. Lo! Allah
is ever Hearer, Seer." "O you who believe! Stand out firmly
for Allah's witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others
to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that
is next to Piety and fear Allah. And Allah is well acquainted with all
that you do." "And of those whom We have created
there is a nation who guides with the Truth and establishes justice with
it." "Lo! Allah enjoins justice and
kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbids lewdness and abomination
and wickedness. He exhorts you in order that you may take heed." "Those who, if We give them power in
the land, establish prescribed prayers (salah) and pay the poor-due (zakah)
and enjoin right conduct and forbid evil. And with Allah rests the end
(and decision) of (all) affairs." DID ISLAM SPREAD BY FORCE, SWORDS OR
GUNS? The unequivocal and emphatic answer is No! The Qur'an declares: "Let there be no compulsion (or
coercion) in the religion (Islam). The right direction is distinctly
clear from error." Here is a good study of the question of
the spread of Islam by a Christian missionary, T. W. Arnold: "...of any
organized attempt to force the acceptance of Islam on the non-Muslim
population, or of any systematic persecution intended to stamp out the
Christian religion, we hear nothing. Had the caliphs chosen to
adopt either course of action, they might have swept away Christianity
as easily as Ferdinand and Isabella drove Islam out of Spain, or Louis
XIV made Protestantism penal in France, or the Jews were kept out of
England for 350 years. The Eastern Churches in Asia were entirely cut
off from communion with the rest of Christiandom throughout which no one
would have been found to lift a finger on their behalf, as heretical
communions. So that the very survival of these Churches to the present
day is a strong proof of the generally tolerant attitude of Mohammedan
[sic] governments towards them"(8). Islam does not teach, nor do Muslims
desire, conversion of any people for fear, greed, marriage or any other
form of coercion. In conclusion, jihad in Islam is striving in the way of Allah by pen, tongue, hand, media and, if inevitable, with arms. However, jihad in Islam does not include striving for individual or national power, dominance, glory, wealth, prestige or pride. =============================================== REFERENCES: 1. For the sake of simplicity and easy reading, masculine pronouns have been used throughout this brochure. No exclusion of females is intended. 2. Haykal, M. H., The Life of Muhammad, Tr. Ismail R. Faruqi, American Trust Publications, 1976, p. 132. (back) 3. Haykal, pp. 216, 242, 299 and 414 for the Battles of Badr, Uhud, Al-Khandaq and Hunayn, respectively. (back) 4. Haykal, p. 395 for the conquest of Makkah. (back) 5. Haykal, pp. 245, 277, 311 and 326 for campaigns against the tribes of Banu Qaynuqa', Banu Al-Nadir, Banu Qurayzah and Banu Lihyan, respectively. Also, see p. 283 for the Battle of Dhat Al-Riqa'. (back) 6. Haykal, pp. 284, 327, 366, 387, 393, 443 and 515 for the Battles of Dawmat Al-Jandal, Banu Al-Mustaliq, Khayber, Mu'tah, Dhat Al-Salasil, Tabuk and the Campaign of Usama Ibn Zayd, respectively. (back) 7. Hitti, Philip K., History of the Arabs, St. Martin's Press, New York, 1970, p. 153. (back) 8.Arnold, Sir Thomas W., The Preaching of Islam, a History of the Propagation of the Muslim Faith, Westminister A. Constable & Co., London, 1896, p. 80. (back) Source: The Institute of Islamic Information and
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