Jihad

Definition: - In literal terms Jihad means to struggle or exert oneself to achieve a particular goal. In Islamic terminology, it means to struggle in the way of Allah Almighty to achieve and establish righteousness and shun evil. The scope of the terminology is very broad and is not simply restricted to fighting in the physical sense which is one method of carrying out jihad.

Broadly Jihad is classified into two types:

• Greater Jihad. (Jihad Al-Akbar)
• Lesser Jihad. (Jihad Al- Asghar)

Jihad can also be divided into following kinds:

• Jihad bin Nafs. (Greater Jihad, Spiritual)
• Jihad bil Lisan. (Lesser Jihad, Physical)
• Jihad bil Yad. (Lesser Jihad, Physical)
• Jihad bil Mal. (Lesser Jihad, Physical)
• Jihad bis Saif. (Lesser Jihad, Physical)

1. Jihad bin Nafs is the greater jihad which is when a muslim makes a special effort to be a pure muslim, or fights against his or her own selfish desires. This is every Muslims personal struggle to obey Allah, follow shari’ah and become a better Muslim. It is a tough spiritual struggle, lasts a lifetime, and affects every aspect of life. The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) told warriors returning to Madina after a battle that they had returned from the lesser jihad (of warfare) to the greater jihad of struggle against one’s own heart, i.e. desires that lead to wrong doings. The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “The greatest Jihad is to fight against the evil passions of oneself”.

2. Jihad bil Lisan (jihad of the tongue) is speaking and upholding the truth, speaking out against what is wrong and immoral, and spreading the word of Allah and the teachings of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “The best jihad in the path of Allah is a word of justice to an oppressive ruler”.

3. Jihad bil Yad (jihad by the hand) refers to choosing to do what is right and to combat injustice and what is wrong with action. It is to stand up for what is right.

4. Jihad bil Mal. (Lesser Jihad) refers to using your financial resources in the way of Allah eg. To improve the social conditions of people around you, to help the weak and needy.

One form of jihad uses all our physical, financial resource is Hajj. Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Hajj is the most excellent form of Jihad”.

5. Jihad bis Saif ( jihad by the sword) referring to qital fi sabilillah (armed conflict in the way of Allah) is the most common usage- a term that has been exploited and misused as ‘holy war’. It must be fought only as a last resort when all other options are explored and exhausted. However when there is injustice, oppression and the very existence of Islam and Muslims is threatened, and one’s faith is at stake, Muslims are obliged to intervene even if this requires armed confrontation to defend Islam.

“And why should you not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who being weak, are ill-treated men, women and children, whose cry is:’Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from us from thee one who will help! (An-Nisa, 4:75)

Military Jihad is justified if it will bring about freedom from tyranny, restore peace, combat oppression, or correct injustice. According to the Qur’an, if the enemy ceased hostilities and sought peace, Muslims were to seek peace as well.

‘If your enemy inclines towards peace, then you should seek peace and trust in Allah’. (8:61)

Qital is done to remove hindrances in the propagation of Islam and never impose Islam on non-believers. Waging war to convert people to Islam at the point of a sword is not allowed in Islam. The Qur’an says “Let there be no compulsion in Religion”.

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) laid down various rules of engagement in Military Jihad

• Jihad must be in the name of Allah and according to His will.
• The Muslims were instructed to fight in self defense and not to be the first ones to initiate fighting. This is limited to the area which is involved e.g. Palestine. It is not an excuse for open warfare all around the globe.
• Jihad should not be undertaken to gratify one’s whims, to extract vengeance, to obtain wealth and riches, or to conquer territories and rule them.
• The sick, elderly, women and children should not be harmed.
• The natural world (trees, animals) must not be damaged
• Places of worship e.g. Churches, synagogues are not be demolished.
• Indiscriminate killings should be avoided and the corpses of the enemy will not be disfigured.
• The prisoners of war shall not be tortured.