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:
"We have enjoined
on people kindness to parents; but if they STRIVE (JAHADAKA) to make you
ascribe partners with Me that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them
not..." (29:8; also see 31:15)
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." (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."
(25:52)
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..." (22:78)
"And whosoever
STRIVES (JAHADA), STRIVES (YUJAHIDU) only for himself, for lo! Allah is
altogether independent of the universe." (29:6)
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?'" (4:97)
"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..."
(2:218)
Allah tests the
believers in their faith and their steadfastness:
"Or did you think
that you would enter
"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."
(2:155)
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." (29:69)
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).'" (Sahih
Al-Bukhari #2784)
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!'" (Sahih Al-Bukhari #5972)
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
#4209)
The Messenger of Allah
(S) said: "...the MUJAHID (one who carries out jihad) is he who STRIVES
against himself for the sake of Allah, and the MUHAJIR (one who emigrates) is
he who abandons evil deeds and sin." (Sahih Ibn Hibban #4862)
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." (41:33)
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." (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'..." (22:39-40)
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." (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. BANISHING THOSE WHO
ACT TREACHEROUSLY:
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 Jewish tribes,
however, some of them proved themselves treacherous.
Prophet Muhammad (S) launched armed campaigns against these tribes, defeated
and exiled them from
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
"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." (2:216)
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..."
(2:217)
"And those who,
when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) fight
back." (42:39)
To gain this freedom,
Prophet Muhammad (S) said:
"STRIVE (JAHIDU)
against the disbelievers with your hands and tongues." (Sahih Ibn Hibban
#4708)
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.'" (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
"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
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." (5:8)
"And of those
whom We have created there is a nation who guides with
the Truth and establishes justice with it." (7:181)
"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." (16:90)
"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." (2:256)
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
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.
3. Haykal, pp. 216, 242, 299 and 414 for the Battles
of Badr, Uhud, Al-Khandaq and Hunayn, respectively.
4. Haykal, p. 395 for the conquest of Makkah.
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'.
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.
7. Hitti, Philip K., HISTORY OF THE ARABS,
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.
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