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:

what are some ways that the muslims would be obiged to go on jihad?

(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:

Muslim 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.

Contrary to popular connotation or usage, the Arabic and Quranic term ‘Jihad’ signifies and means ‘to struggle’ or ‘to strive’ in the Cause of Allah Subhanah. Everything a believer does in the Cause of Allah to earn His Pleasure and His Good Will is considered a ‘jihad’; to strive to save oneself from committing a sin is ‘jihad’, to strive to earn a ‘halaal’ livelihood would be ‘jihad’, to propagate the Truth of Islam to mankind would be ‘jihad’, to strive to stop oppression and tyranny in the land would be ‘jihad’, to spend in the Cause of Allah would be ‘jihad’, even to strive against the evil inspirations the Shaytaan makes to one’s ‘nafs’ or soul would be considered ‘jihad’, etc.

One amongst the various aspects of this struggle or ‘jihad’ in the Cause of Allah, is to actually fight to uphold the Word and Command of Allah Subhanah, and the specific term used to signify actual fighting in battle or war in the Quran is the Arabic term ‘Qitaal’. ‘Al-Qitaal’ (to fight) in the Cause of Allah is the absolute highest form or aspect of this constant struggle or ‘Jihad’ which is incumbent upon every believer in Allah and the Last Day.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9 Surah Taubah verse 111:

111 Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their good; for theirs (in return) is the Garden (of Paradise): they fight (do Qitaal) 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.

Your Question: what are some ways that the muslims would be obiged to go on jihad?

We assume that your question regarding ‘jihad’ pertains to the one specific aspect of actual fighting or ‘Qitaal’ in the Cause of Allah Subhanah.

Al-Qitaal would become obligatory upon the believing males under two circumstances:

1. In Defence of one’s land against a pagan army attack
2. In a Pro-Active attack when commanded by their Leader

Ref-1: In Defence of one’s land against a pagan army attack

If a pagan nation or people attack or occupy a muslim land by force, then it is obligatory upon all its citizens to defend their honor and their land against this attack. If the believers are weak in the land and helpless against the might of the invading pagan army, it is obligatory upon the believers worldwide to unite behind their ‘Ameer’ or Leader, and strive and fight the unjust oppressors and free their believing brethren from their misery.

Ref-2: In a Pro-Active attack when commanded by their Leader

When a righteous believing leader of an Islamic Nation initiates a fight against a tyrant and oppressive pagan nation who stops and debars people from worshipping Allah Subhanah Alone, or who puts people on trial if they choose to believe, etc.; and commands that every believing citizen is needed physically to join the army, then it becomes obligatory upon the believers to join the Islamic army and do ‘Qitaal’ in the Cause of Allah Subhanah.

When a fight or war against the pagan army is initiated by the righteous Leader of an Islamic State, it is the Leader who will decide whether the army is sufficient or whether to call upon all the believing citizens to join the army. If the righteous Leader of the Islamic States decides that the muslim army is sufficient to fight the pagan army, or if the Leader states that it is optional for its citizens to joint he muslim army if they wish; then it would not be obligatory upon the believing citizens to physically join the army if they did not wish to do so. But if such an occasion arises where the muslim army is not sufficient and the Leader of the Islamic State decides and calls upon all the citizens to join the muslim army, then indeed it would become obligatory upon each and every believer to join and support the muslim army in their fight against the pagan nation.

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 sincere well wisher in Islam,

Burhan