JIHAD FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH

Answered by Dr. Anas Abu Shadi at Question: What is the purpose of Jihad for the sake of Allah? Answer: Jihad for the sake of Allah was defined as the war to promote Allahs word and to spread the call for Islam. The purpose of Jihad is to call people to embrace Islam. Fighting is not needed if we can do the call peacefully. It is generally considered a communal obligation (fard kifayah), and should be done through the ruler not the individuals or groups unless a specific Muslim community comes under direct attack in which case it may be considered as a personal obligation (fard ayn) for every [sane, adult] male Muslim. However, it should be made clear that forcing people to embrace Islam is not allowed:

Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error. [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256] The purpose of Jihad is only to call people [to the faith] not coercion. If calling people to Islam could be effected peacefully, then there is no religious sanctification for fighting to promote any religion. As Muslims, we are bound to support good and condemn evil to the best of our ability. We condemn the unjust killing of any human being, be it Muslim or non-Muslim. The sanctity of life is the cornerstone of Islam. Jundab said:

Whoever is able to prevent being blocked from Paradise by not shedding even a handful of blood, then he should do so. [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 89, Number 266] Allah Almighty says:

Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress limits.

JIHAD FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH

[Surah Al-Baqarah 2:190] Islam is a message with an international appeal which must be delivered to the whole world. And in the past, this was only made possible through traveling the earth. However, because Islam was a new phenomenon, it is not surprising that the existing powers, protecting their authority at the time of Revelation, wished to fight against it. This was how people of all eras have always behaved. The new religion had to be defended so that its political presence stabilized, and its message was communicated. If the sword was once necessary to secure the call, these days it is not needed, except in defense against those who aim to harm Islam and its people (yuridun bilIslam sharan wa ahlu). These days Islam can spread without needing to fear danger from travel or from delivering the message globally. Muslims live in more countries than ever before. The media traverses boundaries, reaching people in their own houses, and it may not be limited through the closing of borders or doors. It is possible, therefore, for Muslims in foreign or non-Muslim lands to call all non-Muslims to embrace Islam using all available peaceful and legal means. Where this can be done without fear of reprisal or repression Muslims who live in foreign and non-Muslim lands should never resort to violence to achieve these aims. It is not justified to betray protections and freedoms provided in foreign or non-Muslim lands. For more people will embrace Islam when it is borne in peace and more will reject it when it is borne in violence. The Islamic call is voluntary, not obligatory. Our beliefs are never to be implemented through force. This is why Allah told Noah to ask his people: Shall we compel you to accept it when you are averse to it? [Surah Hud 11:28] And Allah says to the Prophet Muhammad:

Will you then compel mankind against their will to believe? [Surah Yunus 10: 99] When the Prophet sent Ali to fight the Jews of Khaybar, he said, Do I fight them until they become like us? By which he meant, Do I force them to become Muslim? and the Prophet replied to him:

Advance cautiously until you reach their open places, thereafter invite them to Islam and inform them what is obligatory for them from the rights of Allah. For by Allah, if Allah

JIHAD FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH

guides aright even one person through you that is better for you than to possess the most valuable of the camels. [Sahih Muslim, Book 31, Number 5918] If texts exist, then, whose apparent meanings seems to indicate an absolute necessity to fight, there are plenty others that limit fighting to when an attack occurs, or as the penalty for breaking treatises of peace, or for thwarting an imminent attack. And the above are only examples of many.