Paper 2: Jihad Question: 4/5

JIHAD
Jihad is derived from the Arabic word Jahada which means to strive or struggle to achieve a particular goal. In Islamic terminology it means to struggle in the way of Allah to establish righteousness and shun evil. Thus Jihad covers all kinds of exertion, spiritual, physical, mental or material undertaken in the way of Allah. As stated in the Holy Quran. Believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, without any doubts, and strive hard in Allahs way with their possessions and their own selves; it is they who are true (in their) claim of belief. (Surah Hujurat) 1). JIHAD INVOLVING SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE This type of Jihad is also known as Self Purification or Tazkiya e Nafs. It means to fight against the evil tendencies of ones own self (nafs) or rather his desires which stand as hurdles in the path of righteousness. The desires or evil temptations originate from the lower self or Nafs-eAmmarah which is totally exposed to attack by Satan whose mission is to mislead a believer. Therefore a strong struggle is required to train it according to the will of Allah. When a person strives hard to stop himself from doing wrong and tries his level best to do the right, so that he is fully conscientious about right and wrong, he attains a state of self known as Nafs-e-Lawwamah. Further struggle leads a believer to the highest state of spiritual purity known as Nafs-eMutmainnah which is the sublime form of inner satisfaction. In this state a believer totally submits himself to the will of Allah and he would never do an action which would be against the dictates of Quran and Hadith and hence becomes a God fearing person (Muttaqi). It is for this reason that the Holy Prophet said on one occasion when he had returned to Madina from a battle that we have returned from the lesser Jihad to the greatest Jihad. Hence this form of Jihad is also known as Jihad-e-Akbar as stated by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) at another place, The greatest Jihad is to fight against the evil passions of ones self. Some of the ways in which as Muslim engages in the spiritual Jihad include: Overcoming anger, greed, hatred, pride, backbiting and all such ethical evils or overcoming laziness that stops a person from offering prayers or worshipping Allah etc.

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Paper 2: Jihad Question: 4/5

2). JIHAD INVOLVING MENTAL STRUGGLE Mental Jihad or Jihad with knowledge is also known as Dawa which means calling people to Islam. This type of Jihad involves utilizing ones intellect and knowledge to propagate the teachings of Islam. The tongue and pen are the ideal weapons by means of which one can make people understand the value of the religion through reasoning and logic. The Holy Prophet S.A.W remained engaged in this type of Jihad throughout his life especially in the Makkan period of his Prophetic mission. The Holy Quran describes the style and methodology of this type of Jihad by saying, Invite all to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. (An Nahl). This implies that preaching should be carried out in a decent polite and convincing way. This type of Jihad should be carried out by putting forward the Quranic arguments and teachings of the Prophet S.A.W in support of his preaching to those who try to tarnish the image of Islam. The Holy Prophet said, The best fighting (Jihad) in the path of Allah is (to speak) a word of Justice before an oppressive ruler. At another place the Prophet said, The best amongst you is the one who learns the Holy Quran and teaches to others. This type of Jihad can be put into practice by circulating Islamic literature through, books, magazines and modern electronic devices in order to invite people into the fold of Islam. 3) JIHAD INVOLVING PHYSICAL STRUGGLE The purpose of Jihad is to eliminate mischief, and establish justice, peace and equality on earth. Sometimes in order to protect Islam and innocent people force is required. Thus Jihad would involve the use of force in order to establish good over evil. This form of Jihad is also called Qitaal or physical fight. This type of Jihad is exercised exclusively for the sake of Allah and for the glorification of His name when all other peaceful efforts and methods have failed. Allah has given the permissibility of exercising this form of Jihad in the following words, Fight in the cause of Allah, those who fight you but do not transgress limits. For Allah loves not the transgressors. (al Baqarah). Also at another place in the Holy Quran it is stated, Fighting is prescribed on you, though you may not like it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you and you love something which is bad for you. But Allah knows and you do not know.

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Prophet S.A.W has granted permission in the following words, He who sees an evil should try to stop it with his hand, and if he can not, then his tongue and if he can not even do that, then at least he should resent that evil in his heart. Islam does not permit believers to take out swords against the disbelievers to force them into embracing Islam. The Holy Quran clearly states: Let there be no compulsion in religion. The life of the Holy Prophet S.A.W is the best example to highlight the purpose of Jihad. The wars fought during the Prophets time claimed not even the lives of 300 people to conquer 300 square kilometers of territory. For example wars like Badr, Uhad and Trench were all fought as self-defense. In the battle of Trench, a ditch was dug to defend Madina and avoid bloodshed as far as it could be possible. Conquest of Makkah also shows the peaceful and forgiving nature of the Holy Prophet. Treaty with the Jews is an example of peaceful co-existence with the nonMuslims. Hazrat Umar during his caliphate, granted protection to Christians in Jerusalem and ensured that their churches would not be demolished. Permission for this kind of Jihad (Qitaal) is, therefore always subjected to well defined conditions and circumstances in which no other option is left but to take up arms. Following conditions are required for Qitaal, Fighting has to be exclusively for the sake and glorification of Allah when all the peaceful efforts had failed. The Muslims shall not be the first to initiate fighting. This form of Jihad becomes obligatory when not only the ideology and beliefs of the Muslims are threatened but also their homes, lives, property and everything else is at stake. This form of Jihad is a collective act and is not permissible through individual effort and has solely to be decided by the state. Fighting is to be continued until peace is restored and oppression comes to an end. Peaceful existence between the Muslims and the non-Muslims is urged. (e.g., Treaty with the Jews) Muslims must maintain their treaties and friendly relations with the nonMuslims states as long as they continue to respect the rights and agreements. Rules of Jihad Islam lays down a set of conduct for warfare: The Muslims shall not be the first to initiate fighting Women, children, sick and the old people are not to be harmed. Fruit-bearing trees will not be cut down.

 Churches, Synagogues, mosques and other places of worships should not be demolished. The corpses of the fallen and the dead should not be mutilated