When Does Jihad Become Obligatory
Jihad in Quran can be classified in two distinct categories : Firstly , against injustice and oppression. Secondly , against those who reject the truth after it has been conclusively communicated to them under law of itmam-e-hujjat. – Even if the sole ground to wage jihad in these times – oppression and injustice in a country – exists in a particular case, jihad never becomes obligatory unless the military might of the Muslims is up to a certain level . In the times of the Prophet (sws), when large scale conversions took place in the later phase, the Almighty reduced the Muslim to enemy ratio to 1:2. It cannot be imagined that in later periods it can be more than this. It needs to be appreciated that the ratios stated in these verses are about the Companions (rta) of the Prophet (sws) – who were a group of noble souls who waged jihad alongside the Prophet (sws), and as a result of a direct command of the Almighty. In later times, it can be estimated whether this ratio has increased or decreased keeping in view the extent of faith Muslims have. Consequently, not only should the Muslims consolidate their moral character, but they should also build their military might if they want to wage jihad when the need arises. The Quran gave a similar directive to Muslims of the Prophet’s times in the following words: وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُمْ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِنْ قُوَّةٍ وَمِنْ رِبَاطِ الْخَيْلِ تُرْهِبُونَ بِهِ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ وَعَدُوَّكُمْ وَآخَرِينَ مِنْ دُونِهِمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَهُمْ اللَّهُ يَعْلَمُهُمْ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِنْ شَيْءٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ (8 :60) And muster against them all the men and cavalry at your disposal so that you can strike terror into the enemies of Allah and of the believers and others beside them who may be unknown to you, [though] Allah knows them. And [remember] whatever you spend for the cause of Allah shall be repaid to you. And you shall not be wronged . (8:60) – Abstaining from participating in jihad becomes a sin only when a Muslim sits at home in spite of the fact that an Islamic State has given a call to each and every Muslim to participate in jihad . In religious terminology, such an appeal is called nafir am (نفير عام). In such instances, the sin is as grave as hypocrisy. In the absence of this situation, participating in jihad, no doubt, is a very desirable deed if the need arises; however, it is not obligatory and a person who does not undertake it cannot be called a sinner. (Relevant Excerpts from Meezan: Javed Ahmed Ghamidi) (Translated by Dr. Shehzad Saleem) ________________________________ For Complete Law of Jihad , please see: Discussion 32271