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Lesser and Greater Jihad: Difference between revisions
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This article examines the concept of a lesser and greater [[Terrorism|Jihad]], and its place within [[Islam]]. | This article examines the concept of a lesser and greater [[Terrorism|Jihad]], and its place within [[Islam]]. | ||
== | ==Claim== | ||
The two forms of Jihad are sometimes explained by [[apologists]] as follows: | The two forms of Jihad in Islam 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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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." | 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== | ===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>{{cite web|url= |title= The Crisis of Islam|publisher= |author= Bernard Lewis|series=chapter 2|date= 2001|archiveurl= |deadurl=no}}</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>{{cite web|url= |title= The Crisis of Islam|publisher= |author= Bernard Lewis|series=chapter 2|date= 2001|archiveurl= |deadurl=no}}</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: | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
== | ==Analysis== | ||
===Qur'an=== | ===Nonconformity with the 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. | 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. | ||
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{{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." }} | ||
===Hadith=== | ===Nonconformity with Major Hadith Collections=== | ||
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. | 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. | ||
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{{Quote|1=[http://tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=2&tid=5708 Jihad is made Obligatory]<BR>Sahih hadith, Tafsir Ibn Kathir|2=Whoever dies but neither fought (i.e., in Allah's cause), nor sincerely considered fighting, will die a death of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic era of ignorance.}} | {{Quote|1=[http://tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=2&tid=5708 Jihad is made Obligatory]<BR>Sahih hadith, Tafsir Ibn Kathir|2=Whoever dies but neither fought (i.e., in Allah's cause), nor sincerely considered fighting, will die a death of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic era of ignorance.}} | ||
===Scholars=== | ===Views and Research by Scholars=== | ||
====Lesser vs Greater Jihad Hadith==== | ====Lesser vs Greater Jihad Hadith==== | ||
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Mufti Zar Wali Khan (who is given the title Sheikh ul hadith) mentioned in his "Dora Tafsir" that this hadith was fabricated by Sufis. | Mufti Zar Wali Khan (who is given the title Sheikh ul hadith) mentioned in his "Dora Tafsir" that this hadith was fabricated by Sufis. | ||
==== | =====Related Hadith From the Same Source===== | ||
== | |||
A similar narration taken from the same source reads: | A similar narration taken from the same source reads: | ||
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"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."<ref>Shaikh Abdullah Faisal - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.missionislam.com/knowledge/books/100FabricatedHadith.pdf|2=2011-11-20}} 100 Fabricated Hadiths] - Darul Islam Publishers, 2000</ref>}} | "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."<ref>Shaikh Abdullah Faisal - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.missionislam.com/knowledge/books/100FabricatedHadith.pdf|2=2011-11-20}} 100 Fabricated Hadiths] - Darul Islam Publishers, 2000</ref>}} | ||
====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: | |||
{{Quote||This is a very twisted concept of Jihad via Western propagation albeit it is true from a linguistic point of view. However, the overall Islamic connotation of Jihad is fighting for the sake of Allah (Jihad fe Sabeelillah). Before Islam, the word Salat was used by the Arabs; it meant supplication. But when Islam came, it changed the meaning of the word to the prayer we know of, although, linguistically it remains as supplication. The same is applied to Jihad. Before, it had nothing to do with fighting for the sake of Allah; and when Islam came, it became very apparent that Islam changed its meaning. One may argue that the Qur’an uses the word Jihad for ‘struggling’. This is true as we see this in many ayaat of Qur’an. However, like we said, the overall implication of Jihad has changed, but its linguistic meaning remains the same. For example, when the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) said: ''Narrated by Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger said: “Whosoever dies without participating in an expedition (Jihad) nor having the intention to do so, dies on a branch of hypocrisy.''” Is he referring to an “inner struggle” here? Not at all.<ref>Shaykh al Uyayree - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.hoor-al-ayn.com/Books/constants.pdf|2=2011-03-16}} Constants in the Path of Jihad] - Lecture series delivered by Imam Anwar al Awlaki, transcribed and edited by Mujahid Fe Sabeelillah</ref>}} | |||
Ibn Baaz: | |||
{{Quote||Question: Is Jihad in the way of Allah the same level regardless of whether it is with one's life, wealth , or supplication , even if somebody is cabable of the type that involves one's life?<BR><BR> | |||
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.<ref>Shaykh Abdul-Azeez Bin Baaz, Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol 8, p.24</ref>}} | |||
Dr. Muhammad Amin: | |||
{{Quote||Jihad of the self and Jihad by wealth, if they do not lead one to establish the Call of Truth, and to stand beside it, enjoining the right and forbidding the wrong, and contributing one's life and wealth in the Path of Allah, are deficient Jihads containing inadequacy. It is astonishing that the hour of testing and of severity, in which the feet are shaken and the heart reaches the throat, can be called the Hour of the Lesser Jihad, while the hours of safety and comfort in secure homes, in the midst of one's family and friends, can be called hours of the Greater Jihad! In the like of such appellations do the holders-back rejoice in their sitting behind from obeying the Messenger of Allah (salallaahu 'alayhee wa sallam) and his Companions (radiallaahu 'anhum)? Such people find contentment and comfort in this way, while in reality they only deceive their weak souls, for the true values of the deeds are entirely the opposite.<ref>Dr. Muhammad Amin, Path of Islamic Propagation</ref>}} | |||
==Conclusion== | ==Conclusion== | ||