What Islamic scripture says about Jihad

Submitted by Henrik Ræder Clausen (Denmark), Jul 21, 2007 at 16:11

Let´s just quote the original sources, and see if anyone disagrees with those:

The Noble Quraan, University of Medina, 2001:

[002.190] And fight in the way of Allâh those who fight you, but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allâh likes not the transgressors. [This Verse is the first one that was revealed in connection with Jihâd, but it was supplemented by another ( V.9:36)].

Sahih Al-Bukhâri, 4/2782 (O.P.41)
(V.2:190) Al-Jihâd (holy fighting) in Allâh's Cause (with full force of numbers and weaponry) is given the utmost importance in Islâm and is one of its pillars (on which it stands). By Jihâd Islâm is established, Allâh's Word is made superior, (His Word being Lâ ilaha illallâh which means none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh), and His religion (Islâm) is propagated. By abandoning Jihâd (may Allâh protect us from that) Islâm is destroyed and the Muslims fall into an inferior position; their honour is lost, their lands are stolen, their rule and authority vanish. Jihâd is an obligatory duty in Islâm on every Muslim, and he who tries to escape from this duty, or does not in his innermost heart wish to fulfil this duty, dies with one of the qualities of a hypocrite.
Narrated 'Abdullâh bin Mas'ûd [radhi-yAllâhu 'anhu]: I asked Allâh's Messenger [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam] , "O Allâh's Messenger! What is the best deed?" He replied, "To offer the Salât (prayers) at their early stated fixed times." I asked, "What is next in goodness?" He replied, "To be good and dutiful to your parents." I further asked, "What is next in goodness?" He replied, "To participate in Jihâd in Allâh's Cause." I did not ask Allâh's Messenger [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam] anymore and if I had asked him more, he would have told me more.

[002.191] And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing. And fight not with them at Al-Masjid Al-Harâm (the sanctuary at Makkah), unless they (first) fight you there. But if they attack you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.

[002.192] But if they cease, then Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

[002.193] And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allâh) and (all and every kind of) worship is for Allâh (Alone). But if they cease, let there be no transgression except against Az-Zâlimûn (the polytheists and wrong doers)

[002.194] The sacred month is for the sacred month, and for the prohibited things, there is the Law of Equality (Qisâs). Then whoever transgresses the prohibition against you, you transgress likewise against him. And fear Allâh, and know that Allâh is with Al-Muttaqûn (the pious. See V.2:2).

[002.195] And spend in the Cause of Allâh (i.e. Jihâd of all kinds) and do not throw yourselves into destruction (by not spending your wealth in the Cause of Allâh), and do good. Truly, Allâh loves Al-Muhsinûn (the good-doers).

It is true that later Islamic scholars came up with the notion of Jihad being an inner effort. To Muhammad and the early Muslims, it was not so.

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