View source for Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Jihad

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[[Jihad]] جهاد in Arabic is the masdar or verbal noun of the verb 'Ajhada" أجهد. This verb means to "struggle" or to "strive" in Arabic. As such, the word jihad means literally "struggle" or "striving." Within Islamic religious discourse though, the word has a special meaning. جهاد في سبيل الله "jihaad fi sabil Allah" or "jihad on the path of Allah" most usually refers to armed, religious struggle by the Muslim, believing inhabitants of [[Dar Al-Islam]](the house or abode of Islam or the house of submission) against the unbelieving, infidel people of [[Dar AlHarb]] (The house or abode of war). The word can also be used to refer to the inner struggle of the Muslim believe to follow the laws of Allah, but this is the less common meaning. By far the most common meaning is armed warfare in the name of spreading and/or defending Islam. This understanding of jihad continues to be taught in Islamic religious schools, even mainstream ones, to the present day. 

==Religious Tolerance and Coexistence with Other Religions==
===Pacifism Promoted===
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Pacifism Promoted}}

Allah has sent Muhammad ''only'' to warn non-Muslims.

{{Quote|{{Quran|22|49}}|Say: "O men! I am (sent) to you only to give a Clear Warning:}}

Leave non-Muslims to their ignorance.

{{Quote|{{Quran|23|54}}|But leave them in their confused ignorance for a time.}}

It is best if you do not retaliate against your persecutors, but rather seek refuge in Allah.
{{Quote|{{Quran|23|96}}|Repel evil with that which is best: We are well acquainted with the things they say. And say "O my Lord! I seek refuge with Thee from the suggestions of the Evil Ones.}}

Do not argue with innocent Christians and Jews, but rather emphasize your common monotheism.

{{Quote|{{Quran|29|46}}|And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better (than mere disputation), unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong (and injury): but say, "We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam)."}}

===Defensive Fighting Permitted===
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Defensive Fighting Permitted then Mandated}}

Permission is given to Muslims to go to war in order to defend themselves.

{{quote | {{cite quran|22|39|end=41|style=ref}} | To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged;- and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid;-<BR><BR>
(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". Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his (cause);- for verily Allah is full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).<BR><BR>
(They are) those who, if We establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give regular charity, enjoin the right and forbid wrong: with Allah rests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs.}}

===Defensive Fighting Mandated===
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Defensive Fighting Permitted then Mandated}}

Defensive fighting against attacking Arab Meccans is now obligatory, but during Zul-Hajj it's an offense.

{{quote | {{cite quran|2|216|end=218|style=ref}} | 
'''Warfare is ordained for you, though it is hateful unto you; but it may happen that ye hate a thing which is good for you, and it may happen that ye love a thing which is bad for you.''' Allah knoweth, ye know not.<BR><BR>
They question thee (O Muhammad) with regard to warfare in the sacred month. Say: Warfare therein is a great (transgression), but to turn (men) from the way of Allah, and to disbelieve in Him and in the Inviolable Place of Worship, and to expel His people thence, is a greater with Allah; for persecution is worse than killing. And they will not cease from fighting against you till they have made you renegades from your religion, if they can. And whoso becometh a renegade and dieth in his disbelief: such are they whose works have fallen both in the world and the Hereafter. Such are rightful owners of the Fire: they will abide therein.<BR><BR>
Lo! those who believe, and those who emigrate (to escape the persecution) and strive in the way of Allah, these have hope of Allah's mercy. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.}}

You should fight in defense and rouse other believers to fight as well. If the group of Muslims is divided (betrayal) then do not join the hypocrites, instead seize them and slay them wherever ye find them.
{{quote | {{cite quran|4|84|end=89|style=ref}} | 
Then fight in Allah's cause - Thou art held responsible only for thyself - and rouse the believers. It may be that Allah will restrain the fury of the Unbelievers; for Allah is the strongest in might and in punishment.<BR><BR>
Whoever recommends and helps a good cause becomes a partner therein: And whoever recommends and helps an evil cause, shares in its burden: And Allah hath power over all things.<BR><BR>
When a (courteous) greeting is offered you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous, or (at least) of equal courtesy. Allah takes careful account of all things.<BR><BR>
Allah! There is no god but He: of a surety He will gather you together against the Day of Judgment, about which there is no doubt. And whose word can be truer than Allah's?<BR><BR>
Why should ye be divided into two parties about the Hypocrites? Allah hath upset them for their (evil) deeds. Would ye guide those whom Allah hath thrown out of the Way? For those whom Allah hath thrown out of the Way, never shalt thou find the Way.<BR><BR>
They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (From what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks;-}}

===Offensive Fighting Mandated===
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Offensive Fighting Mandated}}

After the existing treaties have expired Muslims are to make no more treaties with pagans and they are to subdue or kill those who do not accept Islam.

{{Quote|{{Quran-range|9|1|5}}|Freedom from obligation (is proclaimed) from Allah and His messenger toward those of the idolaters with whom ye made a treaty.


Travel freely in the land four months, and know that ye cannot escape Allah and that Allah will confound the disbelievers (in His Guidance).

And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger, to the people (assembled) on the day of the Great Pilgrimage,- that Allah and His Messenger dissolve (treaty) obligations with the Pagans. If then, ye repent, it were best for you; but if ye turn away, know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah. And proclaim a grievous penalty to those who reject Faith.

Excepting those of the idolaters with whom ye (Muslims) have a treaty, and who have since abated nothing of your right nor have supported anyone against you. (As for these), fulfil their treaty to them till their term. Lo! Allah loveth those who keep their duty (unto Him). 

Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.}}

Fight non-Muslims, even Christians and Jews, until they are subdued. Fight the Christians and Jews until they submit because they have corrupted Allah's teachings and they are corrupt.

{{Quote|{{Quran-range|9|29|35}}|Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.

And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah. That is their saying with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved of old. Allah (Himself) fighteth against them. How perverse are they!

They have taken as lords beside Allah their rabbis and their monks and the Messiah son of Mary, when they were bidden to worship only One Allah. There is no Allah save Him. Be He Glorified from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)!

Fain would they put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah disdaineth (aught) save that He shall perfect His light, however much the disbelievers are averse.

He it is Who hath sent His messenger with the guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religion, however much the idolaters may be averse.

O ye who believe! Lo! many of the (Jewish) rabbis and the (Christian) monks devour the wealth of mankind wantonly and debar (men) from the way of Allah. They who hoard up gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah, unto them give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful doom,

On the day when it will (all) be heated in the fire of hell, and their foreheads and their flanks and their backs will be branded therewith (and it will be said unto them): Here is that which ye hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what ye used to hoard.}}

==Fighting Kuffar==
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Fighting Non-Muslims}}

===Miscellaneous Verses===
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Fighting Non-Muslims (Miscellaneous Texts)}}

{{Quote|{{Quran-range|8|65|67}}|O Prophet! Exhort the believers to fight. If there be of you twenty steadfast they shall overcome two hundred, and if there be of you a hundred (steadfast) they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they (the disbelievers) are a folk without intelligence.

Now hath Allah lightened your burden, for He knoweth that there is weakness in you. So if there be of you a steadfast hundred they shall overcome two hundred, and if there be of you a thousand (steadfast) they shall overcome two thousand by permission of Allah. Allah is with the steadfast.

It is not for any prophet to have captives until he hath made slaughter in the land. Ye desire the lure of this world and Allah desireth (for you) the Hereafter, and Allah is Mighty, Wise.}}

==Orders to Peaceful Muslims to Fight==
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Orders to Peaceful Muslims to Fight}}

{{Quote|{{Quran|9|16}}|Or deemed ye that ye would be left (in peace) when Allah yet knoweth not those of you who strive, choosing for familiar none save Allah and His messenger and the believers? Allah is Informed of what ye do.}} 

{{Quote|{{Quran|9|38}}|O ye who believe! What aileth you that when it is said unto you: Go forth in the way of Allah, ye are bowed down to the ground with heaviness. Take ye pleasure in the life of the world rather than in the Hereafter? The comfort of the life of the world is but little in the Hereafter.}}

{{Quote|{{Quran-range|9|67|68}}|The hypocrites, both men and women, proceed one from another. They enjoin the wrong, and they forbid the right, and they withhold their hands (from spending for the cause of Allah). They forget Allah, so He hath forgotten them. Lo! the hypocrites, they are the transgressors.

Allah promiseth the hypocrites, both men and women, and the disbelievers fire of hell for their abode. It will suffice them. Allah curseth them, and theirs is lasting torment.}}

==Islamic Violence Under Muhammad==
{{Main|Violence Under Muhammad (Primary Sources)}}

==Jihadists==
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Jihadists}}

==Forced Conversion to Islam, Submission, or Expulsion==
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Forced Conversion}}

==Scholars on Jihad==
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Scholars on Jihad}}

==Others==
{{Quote|Kanzul `Ummal, Volume 7, Tradition 18897|The most beloved of deeds in the eyes of Allah are: offering prayers at the stipulated times; goodness and kindness towards parents; Jihad in the way of Allah.
}}

{{Quote|Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2202|When the sword is imposed on my Ummah, it shall not be removed from it until the Day of Resurrection.}}

==See Also==

{{Hub4|Jihad (Primary Sources)|Jihad (Primary Sources)}}
{{Hub4|Terrorism|Terrorism}}

[[Category:QHS]]
[[Category:Islamic Law]]
[[Category:Jihad]]
[[Category:Islam and Slavery]]