Jihad does not depend on an individual or individuals
Tags: Jihad, Ummah, Quran, Muslim, Islam

Jihad does not depend on an individual or individuals zubair Feb 26·18 min read

II. Second Constant: Jihad does not depend on an individual or individuals Jihad will carry on regardless of the leader or a particular person. Some people say that the religion of Allah does not depend on certain individuals, and if the slaves of Allah die in the cause of Allah, Allah will continue to bring other believers in order to further continue the cause of Islam. This is correct, however, we see that for most of the people who say this treat this as lip service. In other words, they firmly believe Jihad Fe Sabeelillah depends on certain individuals or groups through their actions. We will prove that Jihad does not depend on a particular leadership nor does it depend on particular individuals:

First proof 1. If we believe that Jihad depends on individuals, then this leads to the weakening of the ‘Aqeeda on Jihad because it’s an incorrect ‘Aqeeda. And it will alter the idea that Jihad will continue until the Day of Judgment since we are associating Jihad with certain individuals and imply in our speech that if so and so dies, Jihad will stop. In addition, Ibn Qudaamah states that: “The absence of the Imam should not be a reason for the delay of Jihad.”

Second proof 2. Allah has brought up the Sahaba to only depend on Him alone and to be attached to His religion. The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) showed them that depending on a particular individual is the wrong way because if that particular individual dies then Jihad is over. In addition, Allah even revealed the ayah to not depend on Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam):

“Muhammad is no more than a messenger; many were the messenger that passed away before him. If he died or was slain, will you then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah, but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve Him) with gratitude.”26

This ayah was revealed to teach the Sahaba that no ‘Ibadah is to be depended on a particular individual. Islam belongs to Allah and not anyone else; so have tawakkul on Allah and not Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) or any other person. We are not talking about the issue of shirk or associating certain individuals to Allah, but instead, we are referring to how people think Jihad is successful because Allah brought so and so to lead it or to be part of it. This is a false concept. Let’s talk about the Tafsir of this ayah.

Imam Ibn Kathir says that this ayah was revealed in the battle of Uhud when a Qurayshi struck the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) with a rock and thought he killed him. He went back to his people and told them just that. This rumor spread around and reached the Muslims that Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) was killed. That led to the despair of some Muslims. That’s when Allah revealed this ayah saying that Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) is no more than a messenger and that other messengers have came before him. Now if he is killed, does that mean you will retreat and leave your religion? Are you dependent on him or on Allah? This ayah was criticizing some of the actions of the Sahaba. Some Muslims were affected by this news and some were not.

One Sahabi from the Ansar said, “Even if he is killed, he has already conveyed his message. So fight for it and die as he died!” This Sahabi was strengthened by this rumor instead of broken by it. For those who turned their backs, they are only harming themselves. When Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) had already died, Abu Bakr went to the house of Rasoolullah, into the room of ‘Aisha and he kissed Rasoolullah on the forehead and said, “You are pure when you are alive and dead. Allah will not make you die twice.” Then he went to the masjid where ‘Umar was talking to the people. ‘Umar didn’t want to hear that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) is dead. He went around telling people, “Whoever says that Muhammad is dead, I will chop off his head. Muhammad went to meet Allah just as when Musa went to meet Allah; so he will be back.” Abu Bakr stopped ‘Umar from speaking and said, “Oh people! Whoever used to worship Muhammad then let him know that Muhammad is dead. And whoever used to worship Allah, let him know that Allah is alive and will never die!” Then he recited this ayah. Everyone already knew this ayah, but when they heard it from Abu Bakr it was as if they heard it for the first time since they were in an emotional state and forgot everything. Then everyone started reciting this ayah repeatedly after they heard Abu Bakr recite it.

Everyone will die at an appointed time; that was the lesson. Allah says, “No soul can die except by Allah’s leave, the term being fixed as by writing.”27

Allah says, “Nor is a man long-lived granted length of days, nor is a part cut off from his life, but is in a Decree (ordained). All this is easy to Allah.”28

For these two ayaat, the author says that they will make the cowards become courageous and lay down their lives and fight for Allah’s cause. Because courage does not decrease your life and cowardice does not increase it. No matter how courageous you are, that is not going to decrease your life. And no matter how much fear you have, that is not going to increase your life. If a mo’min reaches the level of yaqeen where he realizes that his death is at an appointed time and nothing can stop it, he will be very courageous; he will fear nothing. He will see all the enemies of Allah as just mere creatures that are controlled by Allah. So why fear them? Khalid bin al Waleed would be so courageous that he would throw himself into the army ranks and had said about himself, “I would throw myself in the ranks of the enemies until I would be certain that I would not come out alive. And here I am dying on my bed. So may the eyes of the cowards never see sleep!” He made du’a against the cowards implying how can you be a coward when courage did not kill him. The author mentions a story during the futuhaat (expansion) of the Persian Empire in Iraq, about a Muslim by the name of Hajjar bin ‘Uday. Between the Muslims and the Persian army was a river. So Hajjar told the Muslims, “Why don’t you cross the river and meet the enemy?” He was sitting on his horse and had it run over the water and the rest of the Muslims followed him. The Persian army was extremely scared when looking at this scene of Muslims on their horses running across the water. They screamed out, “Daiwaan! Daiwaan!” This means “Jinn! Jinn!” They ran away. That was the end of the battle. Hajjar justified that action by saying, “No soul will die except by Allah’s leave.” If Allah wants us to die, then we’ll die; we can never be safe from death. Allah will protect us if we are not to die.

The author of Zaad bin Maseer says in his Tafseer that Ibn ‘Abbas said, “Shaytan screamed out on the Day of Uhud that Muhammad is killed. So some of the Muslims said that if Muhammad is killed, let’s surrender. These are our tribes and relatives. And if Muhammad was alive, we wouldn’t have lost.” They were trying to find an excuse to not fight. Abdul Haaq said, “Some of the Munafiqeen said, ‘Muhammad has been killed so let’s go back to our former religion’.” Allah tests the people and the outcome of the tests are different. The result is based on how we respond to the test. Our life is full of tests. If we keep passing these tests, we become purer and purer and purer. Ash Shaukaani mentions how Shaytan screamed on the Day of Uhud and some of the Muslims said, “If Muhammad is a Messenger, he wouldn’t be killed.” So Allah revealed this ayah. Some of the Ambiya of Allah can be killed by Allah’s leave.

Some Muslims said, “Let’s go to ‘Abdullah ibn Ubayy and ask him to negotiate our surrender to the Quraysh.” They went to him because they know he was on good relationships with the kuffar. Anas bin Nadr from the Ansar said, “Even if Muhammad is killed, Allah is not killed, so let’s fight for the religion of Allah!” He saw some Muslims sitting down on the battlefield and inquired them as to what they are doing. They said, “Muhammad is killed. What should we do?” He told them, “If Muhammad is killed, then you should stand up and fight and be killed the way he was!” Some Muslims did that and were killed. The right and wrong understanding The ones who adopted the wrong concept can be broken up into two categories: a. Those who failed because of the rumor of Muhammad’s (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) death; they became weak and couldn’t avoid the shock. They wanted peace and tried to avoid death. b. The ones who adopted the worse position were the ones who went back to kufr. Jihad is not dependent on Rasoolullah (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam).

The position of these two groups who adopted the false concept is the position of many Muslims today. We find many Muslims say that if the Taliban were on the right path, they wouldn’t have lost. Some said Islam is wrong because Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) died on the battlefield. We see the same thing happening today with Muslims saying that the Taliban are wrong because they lost in the battlefield. This is wrong to say. Some say that the Arab Mujahideen should go back to their lands and seek peace with their governments and join their hands. This is similar to the Muslims who went to ‘Abdullah bin Ubayy asking for their surrender to Quraysh. History repeats itself and every misguidance you find today, you’ll find people following the same misguidance of someone before him. The people who follow the correct concept are like Anas bin Nadr who tell people, “Why are you sitting?” They said because Muhammad is killed. He said, “What are you going to live for? Stand up and fight like him!” They are also like Abu Bakr who said, “If you worshipped Muhammad, then know that Muhammad is dead. But if you worshipped Allah, then know that Allah is alive and will never die!” They are also like ‘Ali ibn abi Taalib who said, “If Muhammad is killed, I will fight for his religion.” These people follow the correct concept which is that Jihad is not dependent on any individual, even if that individual is Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam).

Allah says, “So do not become weak against your enemy, nor become sad; and you will be superior in victory if you are indeed true believers!”29

This ayah was revealed after Uhud telling the Sahaba that you should never allow the circumstances of an event make you weak since you are the superior. The end belongs to the Muttaqeen. So you should never become weak. Allah says, “What is the matter with you that when a single disaster smites you, although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, you say “Where is this coming from?” Say (to them): “It is from yourselves (because of your evil deeds); and Allah has power over all things.”30

So the believers should say this if they loose so that they may increase their Iman and Yaqeen in Allah and become the true Auliya of Allah. They should also recite the ayah, “So do not become weak against your enemy, nor become sad; and you will be superior in victory if you are indeed true believers!”31

Victory and Loss comes purely from Allah The victory belongs to Allah and not us. We didn’t earn it or made it this far; this is all a gift from Allah as Allah says, “It is not you who slew them; it was Allah: when you threw (a handful of dust), it was not your act, but Allah’s in order that He might test the Believers by a gracious trial from Himself. And Allah is He who hears and knows (all things).”32

“There is no victory except from Allah. The Exalted, the Wise.”33

Victory is never attributed in the Qur’an to the believers; it is always known as a blessing from Allah. And if the believers win, they should say: “Call to mind when your were few and reckoned weak, and afraid that men might despoil and kidnap you; But He provided a safe asylum for you, strengthened you with His aid, and gave you Good things for sustenance that you might be grateful.”34 This is to increase our faith in Allah’s help and love. So whether we loose or win, it’s good for us because our Iman and Yaqeen increase. The way that pleases Allah is that our actions should be dependent upon what Allah has ordered us to do. Never judge according to the outcome We should do something not because it will make us win or because of the outcome, but we should do it because Allah tells us to do it. Then we should leave the results to Allah. We are soldiers of Allah; we should forget about the outcomes and do it because Allah orders us to do it. We leave everything in the hands of Allah. We don’t know the ghaib. In addition, we do not judge our actions based on the outcome to figure out whether or not we were right or wrong.

Instead we judge our actions based on whether they conform to Allah’s command or not. For example, a Muslim who converts a non-Muslim to Islam; it shouldn’t be said about him, “That person is such a good da’ee because he brought someone into Islam.” We don’t judge him as a successful da’ee because of the number of people he brought into Islam. We judge him on if he’s giving da’wah according to the way of Rasoolullah (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) or not. If his da’wah is based on Rasoolullah’s way, he has succeeded even if no one accepts his da’wah. In addition, he is doing it wrong if it is not according to Rasoolullah’s (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) way even if loads of people are becoming Muslim. Look at Nuh (‘alayhis salaam); was he successful or a failure? According to these standards, he’s a failure; and it is un-Islamic to say that. On the Day of Judgment, we know that some of the Ambiya will come with very few followers and some will come with no followers whatsoever. Can we say they failed? They are the nabi and lived for da’wah. He did what Allah told him to do and therefore he is correct.

Therefore, we don’t judge on the outcome nor should we attempt to change the style of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) because “We live in new times”. This is a significant flaw in the Ummah today; we judge everything according to the outcome. That is how Islamic Movements even function! It may have to do with Western influence. We are treating our Islam like a business; they judge their success based on the outcome. If they aren’t making much money at the end of the day, then something’s wrong and they have to look into it. We cannot treat our ‘Ibadah like this; we do things because Allah told us to do it whether it leads to a good outcome or a bad outcome; that is up to Allah. We cannot control the results. And if someone judges according to the outcome, then they should say that Uhud was an utter failure and Rasoolullah (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) should not have fought; he was mistaken. Nobody dares to say this.

We say Rasoolullah (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) is right because he was doing what he was told to do: Jihad fe Sabeelillah. The people of nifaq look at Jihad as the following: “If Jihad brings power, position, wealth and booty, then we’ll join the Mujahideen. But if Jihad is going to cost us our life, wealth, power, and position, then no, we should not join; it’s not hikmah.” Another way to show that Jihad is the way and the outcome is not something we should worry much about is that before the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) passed away, he sent out an army of 3000 to fight the Roman Empire. But when Rasoolullah (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) died, the army wasn’t at the Roman Empire yet; they were camping in where the army would assemble. That’s where the army base was. When Rasoolullah (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) died, all of the Arabs around the State became murtadeen; they were apostates. So the Sahaba said the army of 3000 should stay here since we have other priorities.

They said “It’s not an appropriate time for us to seek a fight with the Roman Empire when we have an immediate danger in the outskirts of Medina!” This was also the opinion of Usama bin Zayd himself, the head of the army. Usama sent a verbal message to Abu Bakr through ‘Umar saying that the majority of the Muslims are with him and they all agree that they should not leave the Khalifa of Rasoolullah (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) alone in Medina as well as the wives of Rasoolullah (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) without protection. Also, they didn’t want to leave Medina alone without any fighters. What did Abu Bakr say? He said, “Even if dogs dragged the feet of the wives of Rasoolullah, I am going to send this army. And even if no one is left in Medina but me, I will still send out this army because Rasoolullah said so.” Abu Bakr is implying here that he doesn’t care about the outcome. If everyone is killed and he’s the only person left, he’s still going to send out this army. And if it gets so bad that dogs start to drag the wives of Rasoolullah, he is still going to send out this army. Abu Bakr is saying he is going to do what Rasoolullah (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) said even if the outcome is not good. This completely defies the logic of people who say let’s weigh the benefit and harm of everything till everything in Shari’ah becomes a vegetable soup; everything is lost. You won’t have any more constants in Shari’ah left because they subjugate everything to the rule of benefit and harm.

SubhanAllah, the whole issue of fighting fe sabeelillah brings harm; you are putting your life and wealth in danger! This is a nafsada and not a maslaha since you are putting yourself and your wealth in danger. Also, we cannot make ijtihaad on this issue of Jihad. Can you make ijtihaad on Salat on whether or not to do it? You cannot because it is a constant. The order for salat is fixed. The issue of Abu Bakr was an ijtihaad. If it wasn’t, then the Sahaba wouldn’t have spoken against it. We need to do what Allah ordered us to do regardless of the outcome. Many people bring tons of arguments against doing Jihad Fe Sabeelillah today because the outcome will not be good. Our reply should be, “We are not responsible for the outcome. Jihad is fard al ‘ayn, so we need to do it even if dogs are going to snatch away our families.”

As the Muslim army was on their way to the Roman Empire, they crossed over an Arab territory that was planning on attacking the Muslims. They saw that they were heading towards the Roman Empire and said to themselves, “If these men have enough strength to fight the Romans, they must have more strength back home in Medina to protect it!” So they changed their decision and did not attack the Muslim army. SubhanAllah. Allah put fear into the hearts of the kuffar, even when the Muslims were at their low; if the Muslims are sincere, Allah will help. What was the response of the Romans when they heard about the Muslims coming? Heracle received the news of the death of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam) and the army that was sent out on the same day. He said, “If these people’s leader died and on the same day his army is sent out to fight, there must be something going on.” So they refused to fight the Muslims. This is what it means by leaving the end results or the outcome in the hands of Allah.

This is the kind of example we need to follow. The army of Usama enters the Roman Empire and not one Roman soldier faces them. He takes booty and heads back towards Medina. This is the meaning of the ayah, “And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out, and He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine.”35

As long as you have taqwa, Allah is with you. The more you increase your taqwa, the more He will find a way out for you. Judging according to outcome brings kufr and despair For those who base their judgment based on the outcome, this will eventually lead to either kufr or despair. It is very dangerous. Never judge the means based on the end. Unfortunately, many Muslims do this today. Many Muslims also have a very hypocritical opinion towards victory and loss. If they see victory, they will praise it and show others that they were a part of it. If they see loss, they will criticize the Muslims and show everyone that they had nothing to do with it. We see in our contemporary history that when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, many Muslims were preparing for it, giving khutab about it, and praising it. But when the USA invaded Afghanistan, these same people took the exact opposite position. They criticize the Mujahideen, put them down, accuse them to be terrorists, and said they have no hikma.

What’s the difference? The only reason why this is happening is because these Muslims are scared of the USA since they claim that they can afflict harm on anyone. They fear America because of its slogans and actions. Bush said that the long arm of Justice will get you wherever you are in the world; so instead of fearing Allah’s wrath, they fear America’s wrath. The only reason why many scholars are against the Jihad in Afghanistan today is because America is involved in it. This is a sign of nifaq. Afghanistan was invaded by kuffar before and it’s being invaded by kuffar now. There is no difference. The greatest benefit of defeat of the Mujahideen is that their ranks will be purified and those who were really cheering for the kuffar will be exposed. People will then know who are the mo’mineen and who are the munafiqeen.

Allah says about them, “There are certainly among you men who would linger behind; if a misfortune befalls you, they say: “Allah did favor us in that we were not present among them.”36

The people who thought about going out to fight and then saw the outcome said, “Alhamdullilah that I didn’t go! Otherwise, I would probably be on some island and be locked away.” Allah says, “Those who wait for (some misfortune to befall) you then if you have a victory from Allah they say: ‘Were we not with you?’ And if there is a chance for the unbelievers, they say: ‘Did we not acquire the mastery over you and defend you from the believers?’ So Allah shall Judge between you on the day of resurrection, and Allah will by no means give the unbelievers a way against the believers.”37

People will jump the bandwagon with the Mujahideen, but when they loose they say that they have nothing to do with them. The ritual for Jihad cannot be carried except by those who are befitting for it. And this ritual is for those who are fit to face trials and tribulations. Jihad sometimes has nothing to do with victory, becoming a hero, and obtaining booty. Jihad today has the implication of being either killed or arrested. However, that does not mean we can make the excuse to not go and do Jihad. All of our efforts and wealth should be put towards this direction. If one does Jihad and thinks Jihad depends on a certain individual, in most cases, they will face defeat. If it’s not going to be a material defeat on the battlefield, it’s going to be a moral defeat in the hearts when you loose the leadership you thought would bring you victory. Therefore, it is wrong to depend on individuals or leaders.

We have to free Jihad from being dependent on individuals. Yes we need a leadership for planning and other purposes, but loosing the leadership doesn’t mean it should terminate the relationship between Muslims and Jihad. This is not a call to a chaotic state where there is no leadership. Rather, the Ameer exists as a leader, planner, organizer etc. but he doesn’t exist for the survival of Jihad. When he dies, another Ameer will take his place. Allah might replace the leader with a better one. History is a witness to the lions who people thought didn’t have those skills.

This Ummah is like a rain shower; you don’t know when the strongest part of it will come in the beginning or end. And when the leader is killed, the Muslims who understand all of this will only become stronger on this path because they worship the Lord of Jihad and not the leadership of Jihad. The possibility of the leader dying is like the probability of a regular soldier dying. Our leaders are in fact searching for martyrdom so that they can meet with their wives in Paradise and come close to Allah like never before; they are eagerly waiting for that day! Therefore, Jihad is a constant since we see that after the death of Rasoolullah (sallallahu ‘alayhe wassallam), Jihad increased and did not decrease! The expansion of Islam came during the Khulafa ar Rashidoon. Jihad is so strong that the absence of a particular leader will not shake it

“Protecting the capital takes precedence over protecting the profit”. — Shaykh al Islam Ibn Taymiyyah

26 (ali’ Imraan 144)

27 (ali’ Imraan: 145)

28 (Fatir 11)

29 (ali’ Imraan 139)

30 (ali’ Imraan 165)

31 (ali’ Imraan 139)

32 (al Anfal 17)

33 (ali’ Imraan 126)

34 (al Anfal 26)

35 (at Talaq 2–3)

36 (an Nisa 72)

37 (an Nisa 141)