Lesser and Greater Jihad: Difference between revisions
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==Explanation of the Concept== | ==Explanation of the Concept== | ||
The two forms of Jihad are sometimes explained by | The two forms of Jihad are sometimes explained by [[apologists]] as follows: | ||
* Lesser outer jihad (al-jihad al-asghar); a military struggle, i.e. a holy war | * Lesser outer jihad (al-jihad al-asghar); a military struggle, i.e. a holy war | ||
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==Origins== | ==Origins== | ||
During Prophet [[Muhammad|Muhammad's]] lifetime, and onward to the present, the word 'Jihad' was, and is, almost always used in a military sense.<ref>Lewis, Bernard, ''The Crisis of Islam'', 2001 Chapter 2</ref> This idea of a greater and lesser jihad was a later development which originated from the 11<sup>th</sup> century book, The History of Baghdad, by the Islamic scholar al-Khatib al-Baghdadiis, by way of Yahya ibn al 'Ala', who said | During Prophet [[Muhammad|Muhammad's]] lifetime, and onward to the present, the word 'Jihad' was, and is, almost always used in a military sense.<ref>Lewis, Bernard, ''The Crisis of Islam'', 2001 Chapter 2</ref> This idea of a greater and lesser jihad was a later development which originated from the 11<sup>th</sup> century book, The History of Baghdad, by the Islamic scholar al-Khatib al-Baghdadiis, by way of Yahya ibn al 'Ala', who said: | ||
{{Quote||We were told by Layth, on the authority of 'Ata', on the authority of Abu Rabah, on the authority of Jabir, who said, 'The Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhee wa sallam) returned from one of his battles, and thereupon told us, 'You have arrived with an excellent arrival, you have come from the Lesser Jihad to the Greater Jihad - the striving of a servant (of Allah) against his desires.'<ref>Fayd al-Qadir vol.4 | {{Quote||We were told by Layth, on the authority of 'Ata', on the authority of Abu Rabah, on the authority of Jabir, who said, 'The Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhee wa sallam) returned from one of his battles, and thereupon told us, 'You have arrived with an excellent arrival, you have come from the Lesser Jihad to the Greater Jihad - the striving of a servant (of Allah) against his desires.'<ref>Fayd al-Qadir vol. 4, p. 511</ref>}} | ||
In fact, all four schools of [[Sunni]] jurisprudence ([[Fiqh]]) as well as the [[Shiite|Shi'ite]] tradition make no reference at all to the "greater" jihad, only the lesser. | In fact, all four schools of [[Sunni]] jurisprudence ([[Fiqh]]) as well as the [[Shiite|Shi'ite]] tradition make no reference at all to the "greater" jihad, only the lesser. So even before examining the evidence against the validity of this hadith, it is known that the concept of the greater jihad is unorthodox and heretical to the majority of the world's Muslims. | ||
==Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars== | ==Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars== | ||
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===Qur'an=== | ===Qur'an=== | ||
One of the most important factors in the classification of a genuine [[hadith]], is that it must conform with what is written in the [[Qur'an]]. However, this hadith directly contradicts the | One of the most important factors in the classification of a genuine [[hadith]], is that it must conform with what is written in the [[Qur'an]]. However, this hadith directly contradicts the teachings of the Qur'an. | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|4|95}}|"Those believers who sit back '''are not equal to those who perform Jihad''' in the Path of Allah with their wealth and their selves. Allah has favored those who perform Jihad with their wealth and their selves by degrees over those who sit back. To both (groups) has Allah promised good, but Allah has favored the mujahideen with a great reward, by ranks from Him, and with Forgiveness, over those who sit back. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful." }} | {{Quote|{{Quran|4|95}}|"Those believers who sit back '''are not equal to those who perform Jihad''' in the Path of Allah with their wealth and their selves. Allah has favored those who perform Jihad with their wealth and their selves by degrees over those who sit back. To both (groups) has Allah promised good, but Allah has favored the mujahideen with a great reward, by ranks from Him, and with Forgiveness, over those who sit back. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful." }} | ||
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===Hadith=== | ===Hadith=== | ||
In all six major Hadith collections (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Dawud, al-Sughra, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah), jihad almost always refers to the "lesser" outward physical struggle and not the | In all six major Hadith collections (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Dawud, al-Sughra, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah), jihad almost always refers to the "lesser" outward physical struggle and not the "greater" inward spiritual struggle. As an example, there are nearly 200 references to jihad in the most trusted collection of hadith, Sahih Bukhari, and ''every single one'' assumes that jihad means literal warfare. | ||
This [[List of Fabricated Hadith|fabricated hadith]] does not appear in any of the famous hadith collections | This [[List of Fabricated Hadith|fabricated hadith]] does not appear in any of the famous hadith collections and is inconsistent with the teachings found in corroborated (Mutawatir) sahih hadith. Some of these hadith state that fighting jihad is second only to the belief in Muhammad and [[Allah]], and that standing for an hour in the ranks of battle is better than standing in [[Salah|prayer]] for sixty years. | ||
Furthermore, Muhammad himself refutes the claim that the "greater" jihad is the inward spiritual struggle, when he states the best jihad is that of a man whose "blood is shed and his horse is wounded". | Furthermore, Muhammad himself refutes the claim that the "greater" jihad is the inward spiritual struggle, when he states the best jihad is that of a man whose "blood is shed and his horse is wounded". | ||
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{{Quote|Sahih al-Jam'i|On the authority of Rashid, on the authority of Sa'd (radiallaahu 'anhu), on the authority of one of the Companions, that a man said, "Oh Messenger of Allah! Why is it that the believers are all put to trial in their graves, except for the martyrs?" He (salallaahu 'alayhee wa sallam) said, "The clashing of swords above his head was sufficient trial for him."<ref>Abu Khubayb and Abu Zubayr - The Slandered Jihad (Refutation of Jihad Asghar)</ref>}} | {{Quote|Sahih al-Jam'i|On the authority of Rashid, on the authority of Sa'd (radiallaahu 'anhu), on the authority of one of the Companions, that a man said, "Oh Messenger of Allah! Why is it that the believers are all put to trial in their graves, except for the martyrs?" He (salallaahu 'alayhee wa sallam) said, "The clashing of swords above his head was sufficient trial for him."<ref>Abu Khubayb and Abu Zubayr - The Slandered Jihad (Refutation of Jihad Asghar)</ref>}} | ||
The importance placed on physical jihad in Islam | The importance placed on physical jihad in Islam is made apparent in sahih hadith which record Muhammad referring to Muslims who refuse to fight or consider going to jihad as 'hypocrites'. | ||
{{Quote|{{Muslim|2|4696}}|It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: One who died but did not fight in the way of Allah nor did he express any desire (or determination) for Jihad died the death of a hypocrite. }} | {{Quote|{{Muslim|2|4696}}|It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: One who died but did not fight in the way of Allah nor did he express any desire (or determination) for Jihad died the death of a hypocrite. }} | ||
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====Lesser vs Greater Jihad Hadith==== | ====Lesser vs Greater Jihad Hadith==== | ||
The "lesser versus greater jihad" hadith's [[isnad]] (the completeness of the chain of narrators and the reputation of each individual narrators within the chain of oral tradition) has been categorized by scholars as "weak" (da`if), and generally in [[Islamic law]], only the authentic ([[sahih]]) and good (hasan) hadiths are used in deriving the rules. The weak hadiths have no value for the purpose of Shari'ah.<ref>Fatwa Bank - [http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503547442 What is the value of a weak hadith?] - IslamOnline, Feb. 22, 2010</ref> Contemporary Islamic scholars have even classed it as "maudu" (fabricated), meaning this narration, by some, is not even considered to be a hadith at all.<ref>Ibrahim B. Syed - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_251_300/52_weak_ahadith.htm|2=2011-11-20}} 52 Weak Ahadith] - Islamic Research Foundation International </ref> | The "lesser versus greater jihad" hadith's [[isnad]] (the completeness of the chain of narrators and the reputation of each individual narrators within the chain of oral tradition) has been categorized by scholars as "weak" (da`if), and generally in [[Islamic law]], only the authentic ([[sahih]]) and good (hasan) hadiths are used in deriving the rules. The weak hadiths have no value for the purpose of [[Shariah|Shari'ah]].<ref>Fatwa Bank - [http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503547442 What is the value of a weak hadith?] - IslamOnline, Feb. 22, 2010</ref> Contemporary Islamic scholars have even classed it as "maudu" (fabricated), meaning this narration, by some, is not even considered to be a hadith at all.<ref>Ibrahim B. Syed - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_251_300/52_weak_ahadith.htm|2=2011-11-20}} 52 Weak Ahadith] - Islamic Research Foundation International </ref> | ||
Dr. Abudllah Yusuf Azzam: | Dr. Abudllah Yusuf Azzam: | ||
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==Related Hadith== | ==Related Hadith== | ||
A similar narration taken from the same source reads | A similar narration taken from the same source reads: | ||
{{Quote||The ink of the scholar is more holy than the blood of the Martyr.}} | {{Quote||The ink of the scholar is more holy than the blood of the Martyr.}} |
Revision as of 13:06, 21 December 2013
This article examines the concept of a lesser and greater Jihad, and its place within Islam.
Explanation of the Concept
The two forms of Jihad are sometimes explained by apologists as follows:
- Lesser outer jihad (al-jihad al-asghar); a military struggle, i.e. a holy war
- Greater inner jihad (al-jihad al-akbar); the struggle of personal self-improvement against the self's base desires
They claim this "inner Jihad" essentially refers to all the struggles that a Muslim may go through, in adhering to the religion. For example, a scholarly study of Islam can be an intellectual struggle that some allegedly may refer to as "jihad."
Origins
During Prophet Muhammad's lifetime, and onward to the present, the word 'Jihad' was, and is, almost always used in a military sense.[1] This idea of a greater and lesser jihad was a later development which originated from the 11th century book, The History of Baghdad, by the Islamic scholar al-Khatib al-Baghdadiis, by way of Yahya ibn al 'Ala', who said:
In fact, all four schools of Sunni jurisprudence (Fiqh) as well as the Shi'ite tradition make no reference at all to the "greater" jihad, only the lesser. So even before examining the evidence against the validity of this hadith, it is known that the concept of the greater jihad is unorthodox and heretical to the majority of the world's Muslims.
Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars
Qur'an
One of the most important factors in the classification of a genuine hadith, is that it must conform with what is written in the Qur'an. However, this hadith directly contradicts the teachings of the Qur'an.
Hadith
In all six major Hadith collections (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Dawud, al-Sughra, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah), jihad almost always refers to the "lesser" outward physical struggle and not the "greater" inward spiritual struggle. As an example, there are nearly 200 references to jihad in the most trusted collection of hadith, Sahih Bukhari, and every single one assumes that jihad means literal warfare.
This fabricated hadith does not appear in any of the famous hadith collections and is inconsistent with the teachings found in corroborated (Mutawatir) sahih hadith. Some of these hadith state that fighting jihad is second only to the belief in Muhammad and Allah, and that standing for an hour in the ranks of battle is better than standing in prayer for sixty years.
Furthermore, Muhammad himself refutes the claim that the "greater" jihad is the inward spiritual struggle, when he states the best jihad is that of a man whose "blood is shed and his horse is wounded".
The importance placed on physical jihad in Islam is made apparent in sahih hadith which record Muhammad referring to Muslims who refuse to fight or consider going to jihad as 'hypocrites'.
Sahih hadith, Tafsir Ibn Kathir
Scholars
Lesser vs Greater Jihad Hadith
The "lesser versus greater jihad" hadith's isnad (the completeness of the chain of narrators and the reputation of each individual narrators within the chain of oral tradition) has been categorized by scholars as "weak" (da`if), and generally in Islamic law, only the authentic (sahih) and good (hasan) hadiths are used in deriving the rules. The weak hadiths have no value for the purpose of Shari'ah.[5] Contemporary Islamic scholars have even classed it as "maudu" (fabricated), meaning this narration, by some, is not even considered to be a hadith at all.[6]
Dr. Abudllah Yusuf Azzam:
Ibn Taymiyahh (also known as Shaykh ul-Islam to Muslim clerics):
Ibn Hajar al-`Asqalani:
Al Bayhaqi:
Al Haakim:
Abu Yala al Khalili:
Amru bin Ali an Nasai and Ad Darqutni:
Ibn Adi:
Abu Dahadbi:
Mufti Zar Wali Khan (who is given the title Sheikh ul hadith) mentioned in his Dora Tafsir that this hadith was fabricated by Sufis.
Lesser vs Greater Jihad Concept
In the Editors preface to Yusuf al ‘Uyayree's "Thawaabit ‘ala darb al Jihad" (Constants on The Path of Jihad), we find the following in reference to the concept of the 'greater jihad' being the inner struggle:
Ibn Baaz:
Answer: There are different kinds of jihad - with one's self, wealth, supplication, teaching, giving guidance, or helping others in good in any form.The highest form of jihad, however, is with one's life (the intent here is not suicide, for that is forbidden in Islam), then comes Jihad with one's wealth and jihad with teaching and guidance, and in this way Da'wah is a form of jihad, but jihad with one's life is the highest form.
Dr. Muhammad Amin:
Related Hadith
A similar narration taken from the same source reads:
This hadith has also been classed as Maudu (fabricated).
Dr. Suhaib Hassan:
Shaikh Abdullah Faisal:
The above-mentioned fabricated hadith gives preference to the method of da'wah over jihad for spreading Islam. However, the best method for spreading Islam is jihad and not da'wah. Thus the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) spent thirteen years in Makkah giving da'wah and only approximately one hundred people embraced Islam. But when he (s.a.w) entered Makkah with military might and Shawka (power) two thousand took their Shahadah in one day.
The Mujahideen conquer lands and save the entire populace from entering Hell-fire by delivering Islam to them. This accomplishment is much greater than what books can do.
Also this fabricated hadith contradicts the Holy Qur'an:
Surah An Nisa verse 95:
"Not equal are those of the believers who sit at home(except those who are disabled by injury or are blind or lame), and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah with their wealth and lives. Allah has preferred in grades those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives above those who sit at home."[14]Conclusion
The lesser versus greater jihad "hadith" and other similar narrations have been shown by Islamic scholars to be, not only weak, but false. They serve no purpose in Islamic law or thought, and contradict sahih hadith and the Qur'an itself. Therefore, this concept of a lesser and greater jihad has no validity within Islam.
We leave you with the words of someone who is considered "among the most outstanding scholars on the history of Islam",[15] Prof. David Cook:
See Also
- List of Fabricated Hadith
- Misconceptions about Jihad
- Lying - A hub page that leads to other articles related to lying
External Links
- Jihad and the Professors - Daniel Pipes, November 2002
References
- ↑ Lewis, Bernard, The Crisis of Islam, 2001 Chapter 2
- ↑ Fayd al-Qadir vol. 4, p. 511
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Referenced by Abdullah Yusuf Azzam in "Join the Caravan" pg 4
- ↑ Abu Khubayb and Abu Zubayr - The Slandered Jihad (Refutation of Jihad Asghar)
- ↑ Fatwa Bank - What is the value of a weak hadith? - IslamOnline, Feb. 22, 2010
- ↑ Ibrahim B. Syed - 52 Weak Ahadith - Islamic Research Foundation International
- ↑ Imam Abdullah Azzam - Join the Caravan, Conclusion
- ↑ Ibn Taymiyahh, Al Furqan, Pg 44-45
- ↑ Jihad Al Akbar - As-Sunnah Foundation of America, from Shaykh Hisham Kabbani's "Islamic Beliefs and Doctrine According to Ahl al-Sunna: A Repudiation of "Salafi" Innovations"
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Dr. Suhaib Hassan - The Science of Hadith - TheReligionIslam
- ↑ Be Aware - Da'eef (weak), mawdoo’ (fabricated) hadeeth - World of Islam Portal, May 10, 2008
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 Referenced by Abdullah Yusuf Azzam in "Join the caravan" pg. 27
- ↑ Shaykh al Uyayree - Constants in the Path of Jihad - Lecture series delivered by Imam Anwar al Awlaki, transcribed and edited by Mujahid Fe Sabeelillah
- ↑ Shaikh Abdullah Faisal - 100 Fabricated Hadiths - Darul Islam Publishers, 2000
- ↑ Michael Cook, "How and Why Muhammad Made a Difference", Pew Research Center, May 22, 2006 (archived), http://www.pewforum.org/2006/05/22/how-and-why-muhammad-made-a-difference/.
- ↑ David Cook, "Understanding Jihad", University of California Press, 2005, p.165-6