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:

who is the person named in islam who can declare jihad? and what does jihad mean ?what are the duties of other muslims and the dawoodibahras at the time of jihad?  

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Answer:

Who can 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.

The literal meaning of the Arabic term Jihaad means to strive or make an effort; and when used in the Islamic sense it would mean to strive or make effort to make the Law and Word of Allah Subhanah Supreme in the world.

Jihad may be accomplished by two means: by wealth, and by self. And the specific term used for Jihaad with self or fighting is ‘Qitaal’. Qitaal is the highest position and the epitome of Jihaad.

Qitaal or war can only be declared when there is an Islamic State, and the leader or ‘Ameer’ of this Islamic State is the only one who can declare this Holy War.

But in a place where muslims are oppressed, tortured, dishonored, and targeted for their belief in Allah and His Messenger (saws), the leadership of that place may declare a Jihaad to defend themselves.

When a Jihaad is declared, it is the duty of all the muslims to help their brethren with whatever means available to them; with wealth, self, etc. If they are unable to do so, the least they must do is supplicate Allah Subhanah to grant them victory over the dis-believers.

Every believer, who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day, must always be ready to lay down his wealth and his life in the Cause of Allah Subhanah! It must be his ardent desire to offer this ultimate sacrifice for His Lord and Creator and His Deen. Allah has promised a generous reward in the life of the Hereafter for those who strive in His Cause.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verses 95-96:

95 Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home): unto all (in faith) hath Allah promised good: but those who strive and fight hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward.--

96 Ranks specially bestowed by Him, and Forgiveness and Mercy. For Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9 Surah Taubah verses 20-22:

20 Those who believe and suffer exile and strive with might and main in Allah's cause with their goods and their persons have the highest rank in the sight of Allah: They are the people who will achieve (salvation). ¹²⁷⁰

21 Their Lord doth give them Glad tidings of a Mercy from Himself of His good pleasure and of gardens for them wherein are delights that endure.

22 They will dwell therein forever. Verily in Allah's presence is a reward the greatest (of all).

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9 Surah Taubah verse 111: Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their good; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in Truth through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme.

It should be the ardent desire of every believer, who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day, to do Jihaad in His Cause. The ones who claim to be believers, but do not do Jihaad in the Cause of Allah, nor do they even have an intention in their hearts to do Jihaad, the Messenger of Allah (saws) has given such people a severe warning:

Sahih Muslim Hadith 4696 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: One who died, but did not fight in the way of Allah, nor did he express any desire (or determination) for Jihad, died the death of a hypocrite.

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 in Islam,

Burhan