Difference In Jihad Under Nafeer-e-Aam And Under Other Circumstances
Nafeer-e-Aam is a term used when state announces that each and every individual of society should present himself for the battle. In matters other than Nafeer-e-Aam, Jihad will still be conducted under state supervision, but obligatory participation requirement will be lifted from the individuals; in that case, it will only be a matter of reward (‘ fazilat ‘). Following is the relevant excerpt from Meezan discussing this matter: …” A similar policy was adopted by the Almighty regarding the extent of requirement that arose in wars that the Muslims had to fight. In the battles of Badr, Uhud and Tabuk, the responsibility was much more and each Muslim was required to present his services as a combatant. Those who tried to shirk this responsibility were severely reprimanded by the Almighty. They were told that if they hold their life, wealth and kin dearer than jihad, they should wait for the Almighty’s decision against them Who would punish them in the same manner as He had decided to punish those who deliberately rejected Muhammad (sws) (Quran 9:24). However, in military campaigns in which it was not necessary that each Muslim offer his services, the Almighty informed the Muslims that though presenting one’s self for jihad carried great reward – which by no means was ordinary –, it was not compulsory for each Muslim to participate in them : لَا يَسْتَوِي الْقَاعِدُونَ مِنْ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ غَيْرُ أُوْلِي الضَّرَرِ وَالْمُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ عَلَى الْقَاعِدِينَ دَرَجَةً وَكُلًّا وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الْحُسْنَى وَفَضَّلَ اللَّهُ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ عَلَى الْقَاعِدِينَ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا دَرَجَاتٍ مِنْهُ وَمَغْفِرَةً وَرَحْمَةً وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا Not equal are those of the believers who sit at home without any genuine excuse and those who strive hard and fight in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has given preference by a degree to those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives above those who sit [at home]. [Truly], for each, Allah has made a good promise and [truly] Allah has preferred those who strive hard and fight above those who sit [at home] by a huge reward. High status and forgiveness and mercy from Him. And Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most-Merciful . (Quran 4:95-96) “… (English Rendering by Dr. Shehzad Saleem) __________ Complete Sharia of Jihad : Discussion 32271