The topic of discussion in today’s episode is the formation of the Mujahideen army in Medina. The Madani era is an era of war, before we understand what jihad is, The Madani era lasted for ten years and during this time the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) participated in ten battles. and conducted more than 55 military operations. That is, in these ten years, about 50 wars, both small and large, have been fought. An average of seven wars a year. War means extensive preparation, funding, building up military forces, and waging war. Each of these tasks is very important and time-consuming. There was no air force at that time, so every war was fought by horse.
Currently, the enemies of Islam are spreading the wrong idea of jihad because they want to keep Muslims away from jihad so that they can maintain their authority.
There are many scholars today who are putting forward arguments against war that the Muslim community has never seen before. They are establishing ideas about jihad that have nothing to do with the mainstream of Islam. So, if we want to learn about jihad, we need to be extra careful.
In this episode, we will limit our discussion of jihad to some basic topics. Let’s start by understanding what jihad means.
The literal meaning of the word jihad is to strive or struggle. The literal meanings of Arabic letters are different and the Islamic meanings are different.
So although the word jihad means effort, it does not mean trying to pass an exam. Trying to do anything in the path of Islam is not considered jihad.
Rather, through the words prayer, zakat, jihad is referred to as a special form of worship. The word jihad means fighting against those who act against the religion of Allah.
According to the four well-established schools of thought, the word jihad means fighting to establish the law of Allah. The first three generations of Islam fought to establish the law. When Allah Almighty mentions Jihad in the Quran, He also mentions the word “fi sabilillah”.
All forms of bloodshed are forbidden in Islam, but it is permissible for fi sabilillah.
Evidence in favor of jihad:
Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who disbelieve fight in the cause of Taghut. So fight against the allies of Satan. Indeed, the plot of Satan has ever been weak.
(Quran 4:76)
In this verse, Allah Almighty divides war into two parts: the first is war in the way of Allah and the second is war against falsehood. Here, the lie is understood to mean the worshiper who is worshipped alongside Allah. Jihad in Islam is a form of worship. There is no place in Islam for any war except Jihad in the name of Allah.
In Islam, Jihad means fighting for the cause of La ilaha illallah, and no other war is permissible. Only Allah has the authority to legitimize anything. For example, all seven days of the week are equal to God, but Friday is more important. Just like that, the month of Ramadan is the best month compared to other months. The last ten nights of Ramadan are very important. Allah Almighty has designated Laylatul Qadr on the odd nights of these last ten nights. Allah is the one who gives legitimacy to any action.
Now let’s know what the main purpose of jihad is. Jihad fi sabilillah means leading everyone in the path of Allah, free from everything else. Because it is suitable for humans to be servants of the Creator rather than servants of creation. Because man is the best of creation, and being the best of creation, he cannot serve other creations. People can come and follow other people’s made religions. Jihad fi sabilillah creates a favorable environment for people to serve Allah.
Because jihad brings all Muslims and non-Muslims under the umbrella of Islam. In Islam, no one is forced to become a Muslim, but they are forced to live under a Muslim regime. So that people can understand Islam and be encouraged to accept Islam. Where only about 100 companions remained with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) after he preached Islam in Mecca. Where only about 100 companions remained with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) after he preached Islam in Mecca. Ten thousand Muslims participated in the conquest of Mecca and millions participated in the Farewell Hajj. And when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) passed away, his funeral was attended by one hundred thousand Muslims. These statistics show how quickly Islam spreads among people when it is established through jihad.
Let’s discuss the different stages of jihad. The commandment of jihad in Islam was revealed in several stages. During the life of Mecca, some people followed the command of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to wage jihad. Then he replied, “Be patient, I have not yet received orders for war.” It was a rule in Mecca not to carry weapons. In the first step, the Prophet (peace be upon him) told Muslims to be patient. The infidels in Mecca oppressed the Muslims in various ways, yet the Muslims were not commanded to fight them.
It was not easy for the Arabs to keep themselves from war. Because war was a regular occurrence in their tribal-based social system.
After the command to wage jihad came, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I knew that the command to wage jihad would come and that we would have to fight one day or another. After the command to wage jihad came, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I knew that the command to wage jihad would come and that we would have to fight one day or another.”
Then in the second stage, Muslims were allowed to fight but were not forced to do so.
Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory.
(Quran 22:39)
Some say that permission was given before the migration. But the real training for jihad began in Medina.
In the third stage, Muslims were ordered to fight against the enemy.
Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors.
(Quran 2:190)
In the third stage, Allah commanded fighting only against transgressors. What was previously a permission has now become an order.
Later, Allah commanded the Prophet (peace be upon him) to wage war on all the disbelieving nations.
Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him].
(Quran 9:36)
All the last jihads under Muslims took place during the Umayyad Caliphate. The Muslims lost that battle and never again were Muslims able to conquer the territories of other religions. Because then Muslims lost the ability to wage offensive jihad.
We see that whenever the Muslims turned away from jihad, they fell, and whenever they engaged in jihad, they received mercy from Allah.
Now let’s discuss some verses of the Quran where Allah Almighty discusses the purpose of Jihad in the cause of Allah.
And fight them until there is no fitnah and [until] the religion, all of it, is for Allah. And if they cease – then indeed, Allah is Seeing of what they do.
(Quran 8:39)
In his explanation of this verse, Ustad Syed Qutb Aftab says that Muslims should continue to fight against those who work against the propagation of Islam until they are destroyed.
Then the second purpose of Islam is to protect the places of worship.
Indeed, Allah defends those who have believed. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone treacherous and ungrateful. Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory. [They are] those who have been evicted from their homes without right – only because they say, “Our Lord is Allah.” And were it not that Allah checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah is much mentioned. And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.
(Quran 22:38-40)
Jihad is the protection of Muslims. If there were no jihad, Muslims would be destroyed. Jihad is a form of worship and Allah Almighty says that peace is established through Jihad.
So they defeated them by permission of Allah, and David killed Goliath, and Allah gave him the kingship and prophethood and taught him from that which He willed. And if it were not for Allah checking [some] people by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted, but Allah is full of bounty to the worlds.
(Quran 2:251)
Jihad is a test for humanity.
So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure their bonds, and either [confer] favor afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens. That [is the command]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allah – never will He waste their deeds.
(Quran 47:4)
So Jihad is the beginning of a test between Muslims and non-Muslims. Allah tests the patience of Muslims through Jihad.
A believer sacrifices his life and even his everything for Allah. Through jihad, it is proven that he is his own wealth. Jihad proves who a servant fears more, Allah or His servant. Jihad is the main way to strike fear into the hearts of Allah’s enemies.
And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them whom you do not know [but] whom Allah knows. And whatever you spend in the cause of Allah will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.
(Quran 8:60)
He also said:
Fight them; Allah will punish them by your hands and will disgrace them and give you victory over them and satisfy the breasts of a believing people
And remove the fury in the believers’ hearts. And Allah turns in forgiveness to whom He wills; and Allah is Knowing and Wise.
(Quran 9:14-15)
He said that through jihad, Allah destroys the plots of the infidels.
And you did not kill them, but it was Allah who killed them. And you threw not, [O Muhammad], when you threw, but it was Allah who threw that He might test the believers with a good test. Indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing. That [is so], and [also] that Allah will weaken the plot of the disbelievers.
(Quran 8:17-18)
Allah would not leave the believers in that [state] you are in [presently] until He separates the evil from the good. Nor would Allah reveal to you the unseen. But [instead], Allah chooses of His messengers whom He wills, so believe in Allah and His messengers. And if you believe and fear Him, then for you is a great reward.
(Quran 3:179)
This is how jihad separates the good from the bad. Jihad is an act through which the disease of the heart is diagnosed. For example, hypocrites or traitors mingled with Muslims and their true colors were revealed during jihad. The hypocrites were willing to participate in war, but whenever they sensed danger, they would leave.
Another important purpose of jihad is to protect the lives and property of Muslims.
And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, “Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?”
(Quran 4:75)
The army that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) raised cannot be called an army in the conventional sense. They were not professional fighters but rather they could be called militias. They had military training but were not regular military members. The army was fully formed much later.
There are many verses in the Quran about jihad that encourage a Muslim to fight.
Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah, so they kill and are killed. [It is] a true promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur’an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment.
(Quran 9:111)
And along with jihad came verses about the teaching of patience.
Finally, at the end of the discussion, it can be said that the Muslims were moving towards a massive war. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) commanded Muslims to fight with their lives and property to protect the Islamic state.
