Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I have one question related to Jehad, if someone cold answer. Who is the real person (present days) who has a rights to declare or call for Jehad under Islamic-teachings? Or in other words who is supposed to take final dicsion that now its time for Jehad? According to my studies of Quran, what I understand is, in present days the head of any muslim state (ie. King, President, Prime-minister depending upon political setup in that country) has final authority to decide if its time to Jehad or not, as he is the only key person who got the actual knowlrdge situations at political/internation level. Is I'm right?

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Who has the right to declare Jihad?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

You are absolutely right in your understanding of who has a right to declare ‘jihad’. Only the God Fearing leader of an Islamic nation, or the leader of the believers (if any), have the right to declare ‘jihad’. This call to ‘jihad’ cannot be made by any one individual who does not have a political position of being the leader of a nation or nations.

In the case, where the muslims, although in the majority, are being oppressed and persecuted for following their religion, then the scholars have a right to declare ‘jihad’ against the aggressors to protect the lives, property and honor of the believers. Examples of these are Bosnia, Chechnya, Kosovo, Palestine, Kashmir, etc.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan