‫

ان ا‬
in the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent,
the Most Merciful

THE CONCEPT OF JIHD

BY:Sami uddin
 II

11. Concept of War

11.1 War is generally disliked and leads to nowhere, yet
the so-called developing and developed world spends
a significant portion of its GNP on the war industry.

11.2 Wars can be ethnic (Bosnia Herzegovina),

ideological (Cold War and Jihad in Afghanistan),
economic (US invasion of Iraq), religious (Catholic
vs Protestants in Northern Ireland), for regional
hegemony (US support of unlawful Israeli occupation
of Palestine and Indian occupation of Kashmir).
 11.3 The Concept of Holy War

“Holy war” is essentially a Christian concept

inspired by a series of Crusades launched
aggressively by the Church between 1095 and 1291.
In the name of proselytization and gaining control
over Jerusalem.

Its main target were Muslims and Jews. It justified

use of force for conversion to Christianity.

- “Crusades” in Encyclopedia Britannica Macropedia

Chicago, 1974, Vol 5 P-297-310
 11.4 Meaning of Jihad

The root word jhd, jahdu, means hardship, discomfort and to •

lead an activity to its culmination or end. Jihad consequently
means to exhaust all possible strength to do the utmost in order
to achieve an objective.

Al-ijtihadun, derived from the same root word means to strive •

hard in achieving an objective.

Mujahideen (pl. of mujahid), is used in the Qur’an for one •

who is active, awake and does his best in achieving a goal
even at the cost of his life. It is used for believers who are pro-
active; its antonym in the Qur’an is qa’ideen, those who sit
back, are lazy and lack enthusiasm.
 11.5

The root word qtl (qatala) literally means slew •

(killed):
Qatalta means you have slain. –
Qataltu means I have slain. –
Qatalu means they slew. –
However in the Qu’ranic usage when it is said qutilal •
kharrasuna (al-Dhariyat, 51:10), it means perish the
conjecturers; qatilu e.g. qatilukum fial-din (al-
Mumtahinah, 60:9) means they have fought against
you on account of din. Therefore qitalun or al-qitalu
means fighting.
 11.6

It is generally understood to mean striking •

with weapons, stone or even poisoning. Raghib
al-Asfahani says it also means to subdue,
overpower, make humble or bend down, to
insult or to reduce to size or kill.
- Raghib al-Asfahani, Mufradat al-Quran, Lahore, 1971, p826-827
 11.7

The Qur’an in Surah ‘Abasa says “Accursed be man how •

stubbornly he denies the Truth”, (81:17). Qutilal insanu ma
akfarah here qutila is used in the sense of downgrading and
demoting and not killing or murdering.

In Surah al-Tawbah the word qatalahumullahu (9:31) means •

Allah may destroy or overpower them. At the same time qital
refers to fighting or war.

“Fighting (al-qital) is ordained upon you and it is disliked by •

you…”, al-Baqarah (2:216). Later on the same term is used “..
and persecution (al-fitnah) is even more heinous than killing
(al-qatl)”, al-Baqarah (2:217).
 11.8

The term jihad has been used around 41 times, •

while qital 167 times, shahadah 157 times and
sabr around 101 times in the Qur’an.
 11.9 Value of life in al-Islam

“… whosoever kills a human being for other than

manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as
if he had killed all mankind, and who saves the life of
one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of the whole
of humanity…”
al-Ma’idah, 5:32

“And that you slay not the life which Allah has made
sacred, save in the course of justice. This He has
commanded you in order that you may understand”
al-An’am, 6:15
 11.10 The Objective of Jihad in the Qur’an

Not to convert but to communicate and invite •

(da’wah).

“There is no compulsion in din”

al-Baqarah, 2:256

“To you your religion and to me my way of

life”
al-Kafirun, 109:6
 11.11 Objective of Jihad: Restoration of Human
Rights

“What has come upon you that you fight not

(la tuqatiluna) in the cause of Allah and for
the oppressed men, women and children who
cry: our Lord, get us out of this city, whose
people are oppressors so send us a friend by
Your will and send us a helper”
an-Nisa, 4:75
 11.12 Protection of Religious and Cultural Freedom

“Permission is granted to those (to take up arms) who

fight (yuqatiluna) because they were oppressed.
Allah is certainly able to give help to those who were
driven away from their homes for no other reason
than they said: “Our Lord is Allah. And if Allah had
not restrained some men through some others,
monasteries (sawami’u), Churches (biy’un),
synagogues (salawatun) and mosques (masajid),
where name of Allah is honored most, would have
been demolished”.
al-Hajj, 22:39-40
 11.13 Elimination of insecurity, exploitation &
injustice

“And fight them (wa qatiluhum) until

persecution is no more, and the way of life
(din) is all for Allah…”
al-Anfal, 8:39
 11.14 Realization of Law and Order, peace and
harmony
“Fight (waqatilu) in the way of Allah against those who fight
against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo Allah loves not aggressors.

Fight (waqatilu) those (who fight you) wherever you find them, and
expel them from the place they had turned you out from oppression
is worse than killing. Do not fight them by the Holy Mosque, unless
they fight you there, if they do then slay (faqtulu) them: such is the
requital for unbelievers.

But if they desist, Allah is forgiving and kind. Fight them till
sedition (fitnah) comes to end and the law of Allah (din) prevails; if
they desist, then cease to be hostile except against those who
oppress (zalimin).”
al-Baqarah, 2:190-193
 11.15 Superiority of Jihad?

It is reported that when returning from ghazwa-i-

Tabuk the Prophet (p.b.u.h) said we return from
smaller jihad (al-jihad al-Asghar) to al-Jihad al-
Akbar.

Ibn Taymiyyah in his Fatawa says it is a munkar

report. Munkar in a category of da’if (Vol. 11, P-197)
 11.16 Its Superiority in the Qur’an

“Those of the believers who sit idle, other than those who are
disabled are not equal (layastawuna) to those who fight in the
way of Allah with their wealth and lives. Allah has exalted
(fadalalahu) those in rank who strive (wal-mujahiduna) for
the faith with their wealth and lives over those who sit idle.
Though Allah’s promise of good is for all, He has granted His
favor of the highest reward (Ajran-aziman) to those who
struggle (fight) in preference to those who sit in home.”

- an-Nisa, 4:95
(emphasis added)
 11.17 Reconfirmation in the Qur’an

“Do you think that giving a drink of water to the pilgrims and •
going on a visit to sacred Mosque, is the same, as believing in
Allah and the last day and striving (wajahada fi sabilillahi) in
the cause of Allah?

In the eyes of Allah it is not the same (La yastawuna

‘indallah) and Allah does not show the unrighteous the way.

Those who accepted the faith and left their homes and fought
in the way of Allah with wealth and life, have a greater reward
(A’zamu darajah) with Allah and will be successful. The Lord
announces to them news of His mercy, acceptance and gardens
of lasting blessing which they will enjoy forever; indeed Allah
has greater reward with Him.
al-Taubah, 9:19-20
 11.18 Common misconceptions about Jihad

It is a kind of terrorism .1
Is it to have war captives, slaves and .2
concubines?
Is it a tool for conversion? .3
Is it for expansionism? .4
Can anyone declare jihad? .5
Does it endorse suicide bombing (kamikaze)? .6
 11.19 Is Jihad a form of terrorism?

The word ‘terror’, meaning fear, was used with •

reference to the French Revolution of 1789. By
1793, it referred to a formidable ideological
challenge to liberal democracy. It has been
used with reference to political violence in
Spain, Ireland, Quebec (Canada), Nicaragua,
Cuba, Thailand, Somalia, Myanmar, Fiji, etc.
 11.20 What is Terrorism?

The word “terror” means intense fear; quality of causing such •

fear, terribleness, or a party or group resorting to terrorism.
While terrorism means the act of terrorizing, use of force or
threats to demoralize, intimidate and subjugate especially such
use of political oppression, coercion and intimidation.

- David B. Guralnik, ed. Webster’s New World Dictionary, Cleveland,

Ohio. The World Publishing Co, 1968, P 1469.

“Terrorism has been directed against dictatorships as well as •

democratic societies and has been practiced by the extreme left,
the radical right, and also quite frequently by nationalist-religious
separatist movements.”

- Walter Laqueur, ed. The Terrorism Reader: A Historical Anthology,

New York, New American Library, 1978. P 2
 11.21 Who is a terrorist?

It is very difficult to define who is a terrorist. Nelson •

Mandela was once regarded a terrorist, then later called
human rights activist.

A special Committee of the U.N General Assembly defined •

terrorism as:
“…..acts of violence committed by a group of individuals
who endanger human lives and jeopardize fundamental
freedom, the effects of which are not confined to one state.
This should not, however, effect the inalienable right to self-
determination under colonial and racial regimes.”
(Proceeding of the 28th session of the council
assembly/A/9028/1973).
 Conclusion
Jihad is not a “holy war” for conversion of people at gun .1
point.

Jihad is a systematic, pro-active and on-going struggle for .2

realization of peace, justice, restoration of human rights,
religious and cultural freedom and liberty.

Jihad is not a defensive warfare. .3

It stands for war against corruption, ignorance, poverty, ill .4

health, exploitation and violation of law and order.

Participation in peace missions or fighting against ignorance .5

and poverty is also Jihad.
 Jihad is not terrorism. .6

It is a corrective methodology for Islah, balance, moderation and ‘adl. .7

It stands for declaration of war against oppressive and aggressive systems, .8

insecurity, pornography and immorality.

Jihad is primarily a strategy and movement for Islah (correction), Salam .9

(peace) and social, economic, political, religious, cultural and legal justice
or ‘adl in society.

It calls for a proactive approach; To take initiative for removal of Injustice, .10
Inequity, exploitation, oppression and persecution from society; and

It stands for restoration of human rights of people, realization of security, .11

dignity, order and peace in society.
 Suggested Readings
S. Abul A’la Mawdudi, Jihad in Islam, Lahore, Islamic Publications .1
Ltd, 1998.

Ayatullah Mahmud Tateqani, Ayatullah Murtada Malahhari, Dr Ali .2

Shari’ah, Jihad and Shahadat: Struggle and Martyrdom in Islam,
Houston TX, Institute of Research & Islamic Studies, 1998.

Mawdudi, Call to Jihad, Lahore, Islamic Publications Ltd, 1993. .3

Mawdudi, The Road to Peace and Salvation, Lahore, Islamic .4

Publications Ltd, 1998.

Mawdudi, A Short History of the Revivalist Movement in Islam, .5

Lahore, Islamic Publications Ltd, 1998.

Majid Khadduri, War and Peace in the Law of Islam, Baltimore, John .6
Hopkins Press, 1969.
Mawdudi, A Short History of the Revivalist Movement in .7
Islam, Lahore, Islamic Publications Ltd, 1998.

Majid Khadduri, War and Peace in the Law of Islam, .8

Baltimore, John Hopkins Press, 1969.

Gilles Kepel, Jihad: The Trial of Political Islam, .9

Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 2002.

Syed Abul A’la Mawdudi, Al-Jihad fi al-Islam, Lahore, .10

Islamic Publications Ltd, 1991 (Urdu).

Ahmed Rashid, Jihad: The Rise of Militant Islam in .11

Central Asia, New Haven, Yale University Press, 2002.
 6:151 ‫م‬012‫)ا‬

“And that you slay not the life which Allah has
made sacred, save in the course of justice. This
He has commanded you in order that you may
understand”
al-An’am, 6:151
 Definition of the term jihad

The root word jhd, jahdu, means hardship, •

discomfort and to lead an activity to its
culmination (conclusion of result) or end.
Jihad consequently means to exhaust all
possible strength to do the utmost in order to
achieve an objective
 JIHAD
IN THE QURAN AND SUNNA
Praise to Allah who has ordained al –jihad (the holy fighting
in Allah’s cause)
1-with the heart (intentions or feelings ),
2-with the hand (weapons,etc.),
3-with the tongue(speechs etc,in the cause of Allah)
Allah has rewarded the one who performs it with lofty
dwellings in the Gardens( of paradise)
The prophet inviting people to Allah
The prophet SAW used to visit the people in their
gathering
during season days (hajj and umra)and other
days.
He used to go to their market places, recite the
Holy Quran,invite them to Allah .
The prophet SAW carried on his mission of
inviting people to Allah and persisted in this
invitation for 13 years in spit of harm and
injuries (which he suffered), and he used to
forgive the ignorant in order that Allah's proof be
established against them(disbeleivers)and that
His promise be fulfilled to them (disbelievers)
which-
He assured them with His statement:
(15:‫اء‬MK‫)ا‬KLM‫ ر‬O0P1 QR ST0U V‫ آ‬U‫و‬
And we never punish until We have sent a
Messenger (to give warning)
The people continued in their transgression,
they did not take guidance from the
manifest proof. The Qurais oppressed and
harmed all those people who followed
Muhammad SAW.Bilal RA is the one
example of their cruel activities
They also tried to kill the prophet SAW.
2-After that Allah made jihad obligatory
against all those who fight Muslim not
against those who did not fight Muslim. so
Allah says ordered:
(190:‫^ة‬P‫[ )ا‬1L\]^_ S_T‫ ا` ا‬aPM Qb‫ا‬L\]c‫و‬
And fight in the way of Allah those who fight
you.
‫ون‬gh ‫وه‬j_ Sk l_mn‫ا‬Lo0_ QR
3-At the end Allah made jihad obligatory for the Muslim and
gave importance to the subject –matter of jihad, Allah
says
RV‫ [ إن آ‬q [‫ ا` ذ‬aPM Qb [s1‫ا[ وأ‬LUu‫وا‬j‫ه‬v‫و‬K^w‫ و‬bsq‫و‬s1‫إ‬
(41:lLR‫ن)ا‬L\0]
March forth whether you are light (being healthy ,young
and wealthy) or heavy (being ill, old and poor), strive
hard with your wealth and your lives in the cause of
cause. this is better for you if you but knew.
Allah says to the Muslim:
(10:|}‫اب ا )ا‬Tk SU [nV] ‫رة‬n] Q\k [‫ أد‬a‫اه‬LVU‫ ا‬S_T‫_{ا‬u_
O you who believe, shall i guide you to the commerce that
will save you from a painful torment?