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The meaning of Jihad is 'to try.' In Shariah, Jihad means sacrificing one's life and property for the cause of the religion of Allah. Efforts made to eradicate cruelty and brutality from the society and to establish peace and harmony is also called Jihad. Especially when obstacles are placed in the path of Islam, when people are asked by force not to follow Islam or to stop praying to the Almighty, Jihad becomes obligatory. So, the purpose of Jihad is to help establish peace and security in the society. We can also say that the aim of Jihad is to eradicate corruption, terrorism and unrest from the earth.
As long as the Prophet was in Makkah, armed Jihad was not obligatory. When He (s) migrated to Madina and the conspiracy and oppression of the infidels continued, then Allah made Jihad against the infidels a duty upon the Muslims.
Allah says in the Holy Quran:
كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ
Translation:
''Fighting is enjoined upon you, while it is hard on you.'' (Surah Al-Baqarah: 216)
Jihad is a great ibadah in which the Muslims fight with their wealth, time, abilities and at last sacrifice their lives and for the preservation and uphold of their religion.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
Translation:
''Those who believed and emigrated and carried out Jihad in the way of Allah with their wealth and lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah, and it is they who are the successful.'' (Surah Al-Taubah: 20)
A Mujahid fulfills his purpose of life by sacrificing his life in the way of Allah. Because the real owner of his life is Allah.
Allah says:
Translation:
''Surely, Allah has bought their lives and their wealth from the believers, in exchange of (a promise) that Paradise shall be theirs. They fight in the way of Allah, and kill and are killed.'' (Surah Al-Taubah: 111)
The Holy Prophet 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.'' (Sahih Muslim: 1910)
If some people of Islamic nation are being oppressed somewhere around the world, then it is our duty to make every possible effort to help them and to cooperate with them in every possible way. It is a religious duty. The different types of Jihad include doing Jihad with one's life, property, pen, etc. The best Jihad is to say the word of truth in front of cruel ruler.
Following are the types of Jihad:
i. Jihad by Self
ii. Jihad by pen
iii. Jihad with wealth
iv. Jihad with the tongue
When the Holy Prophet used to send the Muslims on any expedition, he used to advise them that invite the enemy to embrace Islam before the fight, if the invitation is accepted, then do not fight against them. But, if they turn down the request, then fight against them. The Muslims army was advised not to harm the children, women and elderly person, not to demolish the houses, not to destroy the trees and fields and not to kill the prisoners. No living being should be burnt alive. Whoever surrenders should not be killed. Nor the place of worship should be destroyed. Looting should be avoided.
In 2018, the scholars issued a commonly agreed fatwa against terrorism in the form of a book called "Message of Pakistan" signed by more than 1800 scholars. This fatwa was published in book form by Islamic Research Institute, Islamabad. This fatwa was issued in a conference held in Islamabad. In this fatwa, terrorism, bloodshed, suicide attacks and armed struggle against the state, regardless of its name or purpose, have been declared haram and the suggestions of scholars regarding how to deal with these things are also included. It is enough for the importance of this fatwa that it has been unanimously approved by a large number of scholars and muftis of all maslaks and then the state has declared it as a national narrative.
In this fatwa, which has become the current national narrative of scholars, it has been declared that Jihad is only the right of the state. No one is allowed to create a state within the state and no one can wage Jihad without the state's permission. It is necessary to ensure its implementation and after this fatwa, all such fatwas that support or help the ideology of terrorists must be removed. Such individuals or parties who have been involved in this work, need to be brought into the national mainstream.
Terrorism is a great sin and crime. Allah does not like those who spread mischief on earth. Those who take the lives of innocent people, want to enforce their ideology through coercion and intimidation or consider themselves above the constitution and law, those people are rioters and terrorists. These people are not familiar with the teachings of Islam. Every Muslim should keep himself away from those who spread mischief on earth.
It is important for a Muslim to understand the true concept of Jihad and convey it to others. It is necessary for him that he should always protect his life, property, honour and reputation and should be committed to sacrifice it in the way of Allah anytime. If necessary, fulfil this commitment for the sake of the Nation of Islam and the religion of Islam. The responsibility of the Muslim state is also that it should always have a prepared army to face the enemy and should try their best to safeguard the life, property honour and reputation of the Muslims.
