Has Jihaad now become binding 
upon every Muslim?

 

 

An Important Question: 

"Has Jihaad now become binding upon every Muslim? [And] if so, on what authority?...

Clarify it with sound arguments [though], [for] if we cement only the outer parts of the building of Islaam but utterly neglect its inner parts and they remain hollow, is it of any use?

Please explain."

 

 

 

For as long as Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) was in Makkah, he was not allowed to fight against the disbelievers, even though they persecuted him and his followers. Then he migrated to Madeenah. But the disbelievers even then were not ready to abandon the chase and leave him alone. So, at last [Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) revealed]:

{Sanction is given unto those who fight because they have been 
wronged; and Allaah is indeed Able to give them victory.} 
(Al-Hajj: 39)

Then, there was a step forward; Allaah (Ta'aala) made it binding on the Muslims to fight in His Way. 

{Warfare is ordained for you, though you dislike it.} 
(2-216)

And now, for all times to come, Allaah (Ta'aala) has made it binding on the Muslims to continue their fighting against the disbelievers until the following objectives are achieved:

 

 

 

The Elimination of Persecution

Every Muslim is bound to continue fighting against the disbelievers as long as they (i.e. the Kuffaar), in any part of the world, have power and strength enough to persecute the Muslims and as long as a person desiring to accept Islaam feels reluctant to do so simply because he fears being persecuted and tortured by the disbelievers, and that if he somehow enters the fold of Islaam, he becomes a target of their oppression.

Allaah (Ta'aala) has said:

{And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion 
is for Allaah. But if they desist, then let there be no 
hostility except against wrong doers.} 
(Al-Baqarah: 193)

 

 

 

The Dominance of Islaam

Until Islaam as a Way of Life dominates the whole of the world, and until Allaah's Law is enforced everywhere in the world, it is binding and incumbent upon the Muslims to fight against the disbelievers.

{And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion 
is all for Allaah. But if they cease, then lo! Allaah is 
Seer of what they do.} 
(Al-Anfaal)

Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) has said: 

"I have been ordained (by Allaah) to fight against the people until they testify that
there is no God but Allaah and that Muhammad is Allaah's Messenger, and they 
establish Salaat, and pay the Zakaat; so if they perform all that, then their blood 
and property are guaranteed protection on my behalf, except when justified by 
(Islaamic) Law. And their accounts and reckoning rest with Allaah."
(Bukhari and Muslim) 

To Force the Disbelievers to pay Jizya (i.e. Tax), the Muslims are to go on fighting against them 'till they feel themselves subdued, and willing to pay. 

{Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allaah, (2) nor in the Last Day, 
(3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allaah and His Messenger, 
(4) and those who acknowledge not the Religion of Truth (i.e. Islaam)
among the people of the Scripture, until they pay the Jizya with 
willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.}
(At-Tawbah:29)

 

 

 

To Help the Weak and the Oppressed

If, anywhere in the world, the weak are being oppressed and persecuted, it is incumbent upon the Muslims to continue fighting against the oppressors until the weak and feeble are made free of this oppression and tyranny: 

{And what is wrong with you that you fight not in the Cause of Allaah, and for 
those weak, ill-treated and oppressed among men and women, 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.'}
(An-Nisa:75)

 

 

 

 

To Seek Revenge for the Murder of a Muslim

If the disbelievers kill a Muslim, revenge and retribution have been prescribed for it. However, if a Muslim happens to murder another Muslim, the relatives of the victim, if they like, can grant him (i.e. the murderer) pardon because they belong to the same Islaamic Brotherhood. But to seek revenge on a disbeliever is binding, unless it is so, that he has accepted Islaam. 

{O you who Believe! Retribution is prescribed for you in the matter of the murderer.}
(Al-Baqarah:178)

"In [the year] 6 A.H., the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) approached Makkah with no other intention than to perform 'Umrah. He had no intention - at all - of fighting, but even so, the disbelievers would not allow him to perform his 'Umrah. Even then, he (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) avoided fighting. So he sent 'Uthmaan (radhiallaahu 'anhu) as an envoy to Makkah to negotiate. The Negotiations became prolonged and so 'Uthmaan's return was considerably delayed. [As a result] the Muslims began to suspect foul play on the part of the Quraish. 

Somehow, they came to believe that 'Uthmaan (radhiallaahu 'anhu) had been murdered at the hands of the Quraish. So when Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) learnt the news of this, he declared that they (i.e. the Muslims) would not depart from that place until they had avenged 'Uthmaan's murder. 

Fourteen hundred companions of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) took a solemn pledge at the hand of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) that they would sacrifice their lives to avenge the death of 'Uthmaan (radhiallaahu 'anhu). When the news of this pledge reached the disbelievers, they at once dispatched 'Uthmaan back to Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) and his Companions (radiallaahu 'anhum)." [Seerat ur-Rasool (Brief), and Seerat Ibne Hashsham]

It goes without saying that the Muslims had taken this solemn pledge to avenge (what they believed had been) the death of 'Uthmaan (radhiallaahu 'anhu). And Allaah put his seal of approval and pleasure on this oath, and made it public for all times, through the Holy Qur'aan. 

{Indeed, Allaah was pleased with the Believers when they gave their 
bay’ah (pledge) to you (O Muhammad) under the tree.}
(Al-fath:18)

"In [the year] 8 A.H. Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) sent Harith Bin Umair Azdi (radhiallaahu 'anhu) with a letter addressed to the ruler of Basra. On his way to Basra, he was intercepted and martyred by Shurahbeel Bin Amr Ghassani who was the then governor of Baqa, of Ash-Shaam (Syria), on behalf of Caesar. 

When Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) received this sad news, he was greatly shocked; he at once organised an army of 3000 men. It was the largest army mobilised so far, by the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam), the exception being on the occasion of the Battle of the Trench (the Ghuzwa of Al-Khandaq). He (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) appointed Zaid Bin Haritha to lead the army, and ordered him to reach the scene of Harith's murder. Once there, he was first, to invite the people of that place to enter the fold of Islaam, and to believe in Allaah; and if they accepted this invitation, they were not to be harmed. Otherwise, the Muslims were to seek help from Allaah (Ta'aala) and then fight against them. 

This was the famous battle of Mu'taa and in it three thousand Muslims fought against two-hundred thousand disbelievers; three commanders of the Muslim army were blessed with martyrdom - one after the other. And at last, Khalid Bin Waleed; the Sword of Allaah, came forword, took the command of the Muslim army, and at his hands Allaah granted Victory to the Muslims."[Ar Raheeq ul-Makhtoom]

To teach a further lesson to the people of that area, Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) commanded the Muslims to start yet another military campaign against them. This time 'Usaama son of Zaid Bin Haritha was to lead the mission, which was accomplished in the reign of Khaleefah, Abu Bakr (radhiallaahu 'anhu).

 

 

 

 

 

To Punish those who violate their oaths 

{If a nation break their pledge after giving their word, it is incumbent upon the 
Muslims to fight them. But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and attack 
your religion with disapproval and criticism then fight (you) the leaders of disbelief_
for surely their oaths are nothing to them_ so that they may stop (evil actions).} 
(At-Tawba: 12)

The Muslims - who fight against those people who have broken their pledge and violated their oaths (after making a covenant with the Muslims) - have been promised six good things by Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala): 

{Fight against them so that (1) Allaah will punish them by your hands and 
(2) disgrace them and (3) give you Victory over them and (4) heal the breasts 
of a believing people, (5) and remove the anger of their (i.e. the Believers’) 
hearts (6) Allaah accepts the repentance of whom He Wills. 
Allaah is All-Knowing, All-wise.}
(At-Tawba:14,15)

In the year 6 A.H. Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) came to a peace agreement with the Quraish of Makkah, which would remain in effect for ten Years. (For the cause of peace) he had agreed to even such hard and stiff terms as were considered very shocking to the Muslims. But, in [the year] 8 A.H. the Quraish - without caring for, or honouring at all, the clauses and conditions of the Treaty - participated in a military campaign against Banu Khuza’ah; a proven ally of the Muslims, thus breaking their pledge. 

Upon hearing of this Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) invaded Makkah - with ten thousand devoted and faithful Companions - conquering it. 

Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) had also reached an agreement for peace and mutual co-operation with the Jewish tribes which were settled in Madeenah. But they (i.e. the Jews) refused to honour this peace treaty. So Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) laid siege to Banu Qainqa and Banu Nuzair. They, at last, surrendered themselves to the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) and he ordered them to leave Madeenah and to settle in another area. 

Yet another Jewish tribe, Banu Qurayza (who had been the Prophet’s ally, but who had deserted to the enemies camp at the Battle of al-Khandaq (i.e. The Trench) were also besieged by Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam); their adult men were killed, and their women and children were taken as prisoners.

 

 

 

 

 

To Fight for Defence 

If a people launch an offensive against the Muslims, it is obligatory for the Muslims to fight for their defence, as Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) says:

{And fight in the way of Allaah those who fight you, but transgress 
not the limits. Truly, Allaah likes not, the transgressors.} 
(Al-Baqarah: 190)

At the Battle of the Trench, where ten thousand disbeliever's from all corners of Arabia attacked Madeenah, Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) commanded all the Muslims to participate in this battle, to resist the aggression of the Kuffaar. At the Battle of Tabuk, he (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) commanded all the men who could fight, to leave the Arabian Peninsula and to fight the enemy who had attacked the Muslims, despite the fact that in those days times were very hard for the Muslims.

 

 

 

 

To Recapture Occupied Territory

If any territory belonging to the Muslims is occupied by the disbeliever's, it is prescribed for the Muslims to drive the disbeliever's out of that place, and to restore the land back to themselves.

{And slay them wherever you find them, and drive 
them out of the places whence they drove you out.} 
(Al-Baqarah: 191)

The battle Banu Isra'eel fought under the command of Talut (whose mention had been made in Surah al-Baqarah) had no other objective than to reclaim, and repossess Muslim territories. Allaah (Ta'aala) approved of, and quoted the saying of the Mujaahideen participating in this battle. 

{They said: 'Why should we not fight in Allaah’s way when we 
have been driven out of our dwellings with our children.'}
(Al-Baqarah: 246)

The Muslims - who were but a small group - by Allaah's Grace and Help, overwhelmed the disbeliever's who were had been a mighty host. Dawood ('alayhi salaam) killed the enemie's commander, Jalut, and thus, put the disbeliever's to route.

Though the immediate cause of the attack on Makkah by Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi sallam) was the Makkan's violation of the conditions of the Peace Treaty, the fact should not be disregarded that the Makkans had, first of all, driven the Muslims out of their hearths, and homes in Makkah. So, through the conquest of Makkah they were actually following the teachings of the Holy Qur'aan, and were thereafter, able to get back their land.
 
 

 

 

 

Now let us - in the light of the foregoing discussion - reconsider the question raised by the questioner, and decide if Jihaad - under the present circumstances - has become obligatory on the Muslims, or not. 

Whether or not, Jihaad, at present, is Fardh 'Ayn (i.e. strictly obligatory on each and every Muslim) or Fardh Kifaayah (i.e. obligatory on all until an appropriate number of Muslims - enough to successfully complete the task - come forward, which will then absolve of sin, those who remain behind) will be discussed later - Insha' Allaah.
 

Have we achieved the desired objectives?

I have enumerated here, eight objectives which the Qur'aan has set for Jihaad, and the Muslims are not to stop the performance of Jihaad against the disbelievers until these objectives are achieved. Let us see if these objectives - or even some of them - have been achieved or not:

The Elimination of Persecution:

To go on fighting until persecution and mischief desists, has been prescribed for the Muslims; let me know whether or not, the hurdles obstructing the way of people who desire to Believe have been overcome, and whether or not the persecution and oppression of the Muslims - on the part of the disbelievers - has ended in any part of the world. Furthermore, let me know if the oppressed 'untouchables' of India, who wish to take refuge in the lap of Islaamic equality, can enter the fold of Islaam without any fear of persecution. 

If the answer to these questions is 'No', and certainly, the answer is a plain, 'No', how can we still be believing that Jihaad has not become obligatory on the Believers?...

The Dominance of Islaam:

To continue to fight is incumbent upon the Believers until the way of life (i.e. the Deen) prescribed by Allaah (Ta'aala) dominates, and overwhelms the whole world. 

Now the question arises as to whether, at present, Allaah's Deen alone is ruling the world, and whether or not the World Order has Islaam at its roots, or whether it is based on disbelief. We need to know if the world's economy is being run according to the Commands given by Allaah - i.e. if it is free from interest and usury (reeba) - or whether we are pressed and forced, by the disbeliever's, to follow an economic system which is based on reeba and if the limits imposed by Allaah (Ta'aala) are being observed in the world or not.

There cannot be two answers to these questions, for Islaam is certainly not dominant anywhere in the world. And if this is so, then the fact remains that Jihaad is currently obligatory on the Believers.

Fighting is also obligatory upon the Muslims until the disbelieving 'powers' and States are subdued and submit to paying the Jizya (i.e. Tax) with willing submission; Have the disbeliever's - anywhere in the world - agreed to come under the protection of the Muslims, by paying the Jizya?...

Do they feel themselves subdued by the Muslims in any part of the world?!... 

No! Rather, at present, it is the Muslims themselves who feel subdued and humiliated before the disbelievers, and it is again the Muslims who have been forced to pay tribute to the disbelievers. The disbelievers are plundering and exploiting all the wealth and resources belonging to the Muslims through The World Bank and I.M.F. 

Should we not make any struggle to free ourselves from this state of utter disgrace?! 

Why should Jihaad still not be regarded as obligatory?...

To Help the Weak and the Oppressed:

When the weak are being oppressed and persecuted in any part of the world, it is obligatory upon the Muslims to continue fighting against the oppressors, until they (i.e. the weak) are delivered from the oppression and brutality they are facing; Can a single place in the world be named where the Muslims are not being harassed and/or oppressed (in some form or another)?... How can we not hear, or listen to the oppressed who are crying and calling out for help and deliverance in India, Kashmir, the Philippines, Chechnya and Bosnia?...

How is it possible, that we can even think to ask for further proofs and evidences regarding the obligation of Jihaad in the presence of the impeccable verses of the Qur'aan, and when we understand the sheer brutalities that our Brothers and Sisters are going through at the hands of the Kuffaar?!

To Seek Revenge for the Murder of a Muslim:

 If a Muslim is killed by the disbelievers, it is obligatory upon the Muslims to avenge his/her death. Hundreds and thousands of the Muslims have been, and are being killed in India and Kashmir. Modest and virtuous Muslim women are being raped and molested by the (filthy) Hindus. Are we not to retaliate against these brutalities?... Twenty five hundred thousand Muslims were mercilessly butchered in 1947; We are still to avenge their deaths. 

Twenty-five thousand of the Muslim women who were kidnapped in 1947 by the Hindus and the Sikhs are still in their possession, giving birth to Hindus and Sikhs. 

Who is going to 'settle the score' for such heinous and in-human crimes committed against the Muslims, by the disbelievers?... In China, Russia, Albania, and Yougoslavia, millions of innocent Muslims were put to death in the name of 'Revolution'. The rest were forced to convert to communism. And a few months back in Bosnia, 23 thousand Muslims were slaughtered in just one day. 

How long will we have to await before we settle our score, with the brutal Serbs?

To Punish those who violate their oaths:

When a people break their pledge, it is incumbent upon the Muslims to fight them. It has occurred time and time again, that the disbelievers have broken the treaties which they had made with the Muslims. And we need not go into the remote, or distant past to find such examples; for we can quote many such instances from recent history alone:

After the establishment of Pakistan, India was bound to protect and safeguard the lives, properties and masaajid of the Indian Muslims, in light of the Liaquat-Nehru Pact. But, India never cared to honour this pact. For, every other day, the Muslims are massacred there in large numbers, and their houses, shops, and factories are burnt to ashes. The Pakistan Embassy/High Commission has been attacked several times, and thousands of masaajid including the historic Babri Mosque have so far been demolished in India. And last, but not least, India is still not ready to honour its promise to hold a plebiscite in Kashmir.

To Fight for Defence:

If any Muslim State, or any of the Muslims anywhere in the world face aggression, it is incumbent upon all the Muslims to resist the aggression and to fight to protect and defend their Muslim Brothers and Sisters, as well as themselves. These days, seven hundred and fifty thousand Indian troops are extirpating (i.e. rooting out and destroying) the Kashmiri Muslims. In Burma, the Burmese Muslims are being butchered mercilessly, and are being driven out of their hearths and homes by the buddhists. The Serb beasts - backed by the whole Christian world as well as being actively supported by the Communists - are devastating the whole of Bosnia, and trying to exterminate the whole race of Bosnian Muslims. Chechnya has been assailed by the Russian army and the Muslims there are struggling for their survival as well.

Let me draw your attention to the fact that animals will fight to shield and protect their young ones, even if they have to lose their own lives in the process. And if a dog or a cat happens to attack chicks, the hen does not attempt to seek any legal opinion (i.e. a Fatwa) from a Legal Jurist as to whether or not it is lawful for her to retaliate. She simply stands on the defensive, and fights against the aggressor - in this case, a cat or a dog - even though she is quite weak, and has little strength before them.

How ridiculous it is, on our part, that we are still trying to ascertain whether Jihaad has become obligatory or not, and whether or not it is lawful for us to retaliate...

To Recapture Occupied Territory:

If the disbelievers occupy a territory belonging to the Muslims, it is incumbent upon the Muslims to drive them out, and to restore the land back to themselves;

Spain had been a Muslim territory for more than eight hundred years, before it was captured by the Christians. They (i.e. the Christians) literally, and practically wiped out the whole Muslim population. And now, it is our duty to restore Muslim rule to this land of ours.

The whole of India, including Kashmir, Hyderabad, Assam, Nepal, Burma, Behar, and Junagadh was once a Muslim territory. But we lost this vast territory, and it fell into the hands of the disbelievers simply because we abandoned Jihaad.

And Palestine, as is well-known, is currently under the occupation of the Jews. Even our First Qibla, Bait-ul-Muqaddas is under their illegal possession.

So many other lands and territories which once belonged to, and were ruled by the Muslims, are now held in the hands of the disbelievers, and are awaiting the Muslim Mujaahideen so that they might restore them to their true, and rightful owners.

I sincerely hope that these details will suffice to convince my Brothers and Sisters that under the present circumstances, Jihaad, for all intents and purposes, has now become obligatory upon the Muslims.