JIHAD IN QURAN IS MEANT FOR WAR DELEGATED BY ALLAH & IT IS FOR HOLY WAR BUT NOT EVIL WAR

Submitted by Mohamad Nozzi (Singapore), May 31, 2009 at 12:33

Quran 2:3, "Who believe in the Ghaib and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and spend out of what We have provided for them [i.e. give Zakat , spend on themselves, their parents, their children, their wives, etc., and also give charity to the poor and also in Allah's Cause - jihad]. " As the word, jihad, is mentioned in Quran 2:3 with the phrase, Allah's cause, it implies that jihad is the war that is commanded by Allah. Or in other words, it is Allah's instruction to direct muslims for holy war. Or in other words, we, muslims, have to be granted with authority from Allah to execute jihad. As Allah does not delegate to execute jihad but only to preach, we, muslims, must not abuse our authority to execute jihad on earth. As we know, jihad, has been determined in Quran as holy war instead of evil war. As the war is to be meant for holy, the exercising of authority to execute jihad is from Allah especially jihad has been mentioned in Quran that it has to be in Allah's Cause. Or in other words, as jihad has to be meant for Allah's cause, we, muslims, must obey Allah's advice for jihad that we must stop fighting when Allah commands us to stop fighting. As Quran 4:90 is the command from Allah that he commands us to stop fighting when non-muslims withdraw their fighting with us, we must obey Allah not to fight when non-muslims do not fight with us then.

The following are the verses to prove that jihad is merely the cause of Allah that demands muslims to fight (Or in other words, if Allah does not command us to fight, we must not abuse Allah's authority to carry on jihad):

Quran 2:195, "And spend in the Cause of Allah (i.e. jihad of all kinds) and do not throw yourselves into destruction (by not spending your wealth in the Cause of Allah), and do good. Truly, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers)." As the phrase, jihad, is mentioned in Quran 2:195 with the phrase, in the cause of Allah, it implies that muslim could only exercise jihad in the cause of Allah. Or in other words, if Allah does not delegate authority to exercise jihad, we must not fight then.

Quran 2:216, "Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know. The phrase, holy fighting in Allah's cause, in Quran 2:216 gives an absolute certainty that jihad is the kind of fighting that is authorised by Allah. Or in other words, if Allah does not call us to fight but preaching while we are on earth, we, muslims, must not abuse the authority of Allah to exercise jihad.

Quran 8:74, "And those who believed, and emigrated and strove hard in the Cause of Allah (Al-jihad), as well as those who gave (them) asylum and aid - these are the believers in truth, for them is forgiveness and Rizqun Karim (a generous provision i.e. Paradise)."

Quran 9:38, "O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the Cause of Allah (i.e. jihad) you cling heavily to the earth? Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared to the Hereafter. "

Quran 9:91, "There is no blame on those who are weak or ill or who find no resources to spend [in holy fighting (jihad)], if they are sincere and true (in duty) to Allah and His Messenger. No ground (of complaint) can there be against the Muhsinun (good-doers - See the footnote of V.9:120). And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. As the phrase, holy fighting, is mentioned in Quran 9:91 with the word, jihad, it implies that the so-called fighting has been addressed to be holy and it should have been granted with the approval of Allah. Could muslims abuse the authority of Allah to exercise jihad when Allah has not granted us permission to do so? As Quran 4:90 commands us to stop fighting when muslims withdraw from their fighting with us, we must obey Allah's instruction not to fight with them. The same is for us, moderate muslims, do not fight since non-muslims have withdrawn from fighting with us a long time and they do not fight with us and so, we do not fight.

Quran 18:85, "And We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with truth, and the Hour is surely coming, so overlook (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) their faults with gracious forgiveness. [This was before the ordainment of jihad - holy fighting in Allah's cause]. "

Quran 33:23, "Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah [i.e. they have gone out for jihad (holy fighting), and showed not their backs to the disbelievers]; of them some have fulfilled their obligations (i.e. have been martyred); and some of them are still waiting, but they have never changed [i.e. they never proved treacherous to their covenant which they concluded with Allah] in the least. "

Quran 38:31, "When there were displayed before him, in the afternoon, well trained horses of the highest breed [for jihad (holy fighting in Allah's Cause)]. "

Quran 47:4, "So, when you meet (in fight - jihad in Allah's Cause) those who disbelieve, smite (their) necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (on them, i.e. take them as captives). Thereafter (is the time) either for generosity (i.e. free them without ransom), or ransom (according to what benefits Islam), until the war lays down its burden. Thus [you are ordered by Allah to continue in carrying out jihad against the disbelievers till they embrace Islam and are saved from the punishment in the Hell-fire or at least come under your protection], but if it had been Allah's Will, He Himself could certainly have punished them (without you). But (He lets you fight) in order to test some of you with others. But those who are killed in the Way of Allah, He will never let their deeds be lost. " The phrase, you are ordered by Allah to continue in carrying out jihad, in Quran 47:4 implies that the authority to command muslims to exercise jihad is from Allah. Or in other words, if Allah commands muslims not to exercise jihad, we, muslims, must not abuse jihad. As Quran 4:90 commands us not to exercise jihad when non-muslims withdraw from fighting with us, we, muslims must not fight with non-muslims then.

Quran 47:20, "Those who believe say: "Why is not a Surah (chapter of the Qur'an) sent down (for us)? But when a decisive Surah (explaining and ordering things) is sent down, and fighting (jihad - holy fighting in Allah's cause) is mentioned (i.e. ordained) therein, you will see those in whose hearts is a disease (of hypocrisy) looking at you with a look of one fainting to death. But it was better for them (hypocrites, to listen to Allah and to obey Him). "

Quran 58:11, "O you who believe! When you are told to make room in the assemblies, (spread out and) make room. Allah will give you (ample) room (from His Mercy). And when you are told to rise up [for prayers, or jihad (holy fighting in Allah's cause), or for any other good deed], rise up. Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do.

Quran 4:90 commands us not to fight when non-muslim withdaws their fighting with us, muslims:

Quran 4:90, "...if they withdraw from you but fight you not, and (instead) send you (Guarantees of) peace, then Allah Hath opened no way for you (to war against them). "

ALLAH'S MISSION FOR MUSLIMS IS ONLY TO PREACH AND NOT TO FIGHT OR TO DO EVIL DEEDS

Quran 2:3, "Say: "Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he (Messenger Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) is only responsible for the duty placed on him (i.e. to convey Allah's Message) and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on the right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to convey (the message) in a clear way (i.e. to preach in a plain way)."

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".