Jihad

“And fight in the way of God with those who fight you, but aggress not: God
loves not the aggressors.

Categories and Kinds of Jihad

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 Jihad

Definition of Jihad

The word jihad is derived from the word ‘juhd’ which means exertion or striving. Literally, jihad
means maximum struggle or effort towards a goal. It is obligatory for Muslims to exercise all his
powers in the way of Allah they may take form intellectual or physical abilities or his gift of speech or
his moral strength courage and steadfastness or his worldly riches in face of hardships. Thus, jihad
cover all kind of exertion or effort, whether physical, mental or material undertaken in the way of
Allah.

Jihad According to the Quran

[It is that] you believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth
and your lives. That is best for you, if you should know. [61-11] Surah Saff
Allah says, “Then fight in the cause of Allah and know that Allah hears and knows all things.”
(Al-Baqarah 2: 244)

Jihad According to the Hadith

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "A single endeavor in Allah's Cause in the afternoon and in the
forenoon is better than the world and whatever is in it." (Sahih Bukhari)
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said,” Fire will not touch a foot which trod in the path of Allah.”
(Sahih Bukhari)

There are 5 main kinds of Jihad

1. Jihad al Nafs (jihad by the self)

Definition

Nafs is an Arabic word occurring in the Quran, literally meaning ‘self’, and has been translated as
‘psyche’, ‘ego’ or ‘soul’. Jihad al-nafs is the struggle against evil ideas, desires, anger, imagination
and any other bad morality in humans.
The most important battle a Muslim need to fight is the battle within himself against inner self, sinful
desires, evil passions, Temptations. It is the greater jihad in which a Muslim fight against his own
evil desires and struggles to obey Allah and become a better Muslim. It lasts a lifetime, and affects
every aspect of life. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "The greatest jihad (struggle) is to battle
your own soul,” (Abu Nuaym)
Fight against Desires and Society
This jihad to purify the soul involves struggling against greed for worldly pleasures, hypocrisy
and insincerity, hatred and envy, arrogance and pride, vanity and narcissism, and other evil traits
which Satan uses to lead us into destruction. Muslims without a doubt needs to make the
struggle against these evils their top priority. The most difficult jihad is the struggle against
desire.
Allah says in Quran. “He has succeeded who purifies the soul, and he has failed who
corrupts the soul” (Ash-Shams 91:9-10). Allah tells us the sinful desires within ourselves must
be controlled and whoever does so will enter Paradise.

Allah says in the Quran, “As for him who feared to stand before his Lord and he restrained
himself from his desires, then Paradise will be his refuge”. (An-Naziat 79:40)

Whoever can prevent himself from his desires will be relieved from the world and its trials,
and he will be protected and safe from its harms. Therefore, the jihad against the soul must be
practiced by all of us on a daily basis.

Some Examples of Jihad-al-Nafs:

 Abstaining from matters that invalidate fast (eating, drinking etc.)

 Taking extra precaution from falling into sins such as backbiting, looking at haram things, not
wearing hijab etc during the fast to preserve its reward is also part of Jihad an Nafs.
 managing mental stress leads to desire to commit suicide but maintain patience for the sake of
Allah
 waking up for Fajr prayer or going to mosque for congregational prayer five times a day
 suppress the urge to use gadgets and play online games to save time for fruitful purpose
 avoiding plagiarism during exams
 modern temptation of branded things and adoption of non-Islamic culture

2. Jihad -bil -Lisan (Jihad of the tongue)

Definition

It is a kind of jihad in which a person uses the power of his tongue to invite others and protest
against violence committing against other Muslims; he strives for justice through words and non-
violent actions. Speaking out against what is wrong or immoral, and spreading the word of Allah and the
teachings of Islam. Some scholars also relate it to acquiring knowledge and call it jihad by spreading
knowledge. When a Muslim uses his tongue for protesting against the oppression of a tyrant, he is doing
jihad-bil-Lisan.

Allah says in Quran: „Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and
argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious.‟ (An-Nahl 16:125)
The Prophet Muhammad said, “The best jihad in the path of Allah is a word of justice to an
oppressive ruler” (Sahih Muslim)
Some Examples of Jihad bil-Lisan:

 Prophet (SAW) invited people to Islam in the beginning, warns his relatives and preached in
Makkah for 13 years with patience and forbearance
 by playing important role in erasing misconcepts about Islam
 by inviting non-believers towards Islam or by preaching Islam like Dr. Israr Ahmad, Dr. Zakir
Naik and many more are doing jihad through their lectures and motivational sessions

3. Jihad with Knowledge (Jihad bil Qalam)

Definition

It is a kind of jihad in which a person strives to gain knowledge, act on what one has learnt, spread it
to others, guides other and clear misconceptions about Islam. It highlights social evils and finds
solutions to them using different Medias to spread knowledge by, radio, television, computers etc.

It motivates the Muslims to learn and educate themselves as Allah wants them to gain knowledge.
Allah commands us to wage jihad against the hypocrites which is supposed to be done with tongue
or pen, to overcome them and refute their arguments. Reporters and journalists who put to death
due to jihad –bil-Qalam are considered martyred.

Islam makes it a religious duty upon Muslims to seek knowledge. The Prophet (SAW) said:
“Seeking Knowledge is an obligation on every Muslim.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

Prophet (SAW) said, “If anyone acquires knowledge that should be sought for the sake of Allah,
but instead he acquires it merely to get some worldly advantage, he will not experience the
fragrance of Paradise.” (Sunan Abu Daud)

Some Examples of Jihad bil-Qalam

 Prophet (SAW) and all four caliphs spread religious knowledge throughout of their lives.
 use of Pen in writing articles, blogging to preach Islam or support those fighting in the way of
Allah or refuting doubts raised about Islam by the Non-Muslims and hypocrites.

4. Jihad bil Maal. (Jihad by Wealth) (Physical Jihad)

Definition

It is kind of jihad in which a person spends his wealth for social cause and welfare or to spread
Islam and help those who fight the enemies of Islam. This can be done by donating money for the
purchasing of weapons or for supporting the fighters or their families or providing aid and relief to
the oppressed Muslims . In Quran Allah says, “Strive hard in Allah‟s way with your person and
property.” (Surah At-Taubah)
Some Examples of Jihad-bil-Maal
 donations by sahabah for battles during the life of Prophet (SAW)
 support the suppressed Muslims fighting for the cause of Allah like Kashmiris, Syrians, Chinese
and Palestinians
 contributing to buy weapons for Jihad
 Contributing to preaching Islam
 supporting muslims or Islam with wealth

5. Jihad bi-as- Saif (Jihad by the sword - Physical Jihad)

Definition

This type of jihad involves physical struggle or fighting in order to establish peace over evil. There are
two types of Jihad bi-as -Saif: Offensive Jihad and Defensive Jihad

Offensive jihad: When Muslims go to the Non –Muslims land and offer them to accept Islam or pay
jizyah. If they refuse peaceful agreement then fight starts.

Defensive Jihad: when the enemies attacked the Muslim lands. It must be fought only as a last
resort when all other options are explored and exhausted. When there is injustice, oppression and the
Muslims are threatened, and one’s faith is at stake, Jihad becomes obligatory on Muslims. This jihad is
done to promote justice on earth with power and strength.

Islam is the way of life which provides opportunity to entire mankind to lead a life without of
oppression and pressure. In order to maintain peace and stability in the world it is essential that the
God given just system prevails.
Allah says in Quran, “Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for
Allah loves not transgressor.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:190)

Some Examples of Jihad-bi-as -Saif

 In Madina, after establishing a small but a very strong and consolidated Islamic state, Prophet
(SAW) took on the opponents and defeated them on almost every front.
 During the caliphate of Abu Bakr (RA), battle of Yamamah and Ridda Wars are the examples of
Jihad –bi-as-Saif
 During the Caliphate of Umar (RA) battles with Persian and Byzantine’s
 During the caliphate of Uthman (RA) Muslims spread Islam by conquering many lands
 During the caliphate of Ali (RA), battle of siffin and battle of Naharwan are the examples of
Jihad-bi-as-saif.
 struggle in Kashmir, Palestine and Syria
 Afghans freed their homeland after a struggle of thirty years.
Rules of war while doing Jihad-bi-as-saif

 Muslims should not initiate war

 women, children and elderly not to be harmed
 fruit bearing trees to not be cut and animals whose meat can be eaten to not be killed
 places of worship to remain intact
 captives treated humanely Corpses respected
 treaties respected
 booty not stolen and ambassadors respected
 no unjustifiable aggression on weaker nations

Conclusion - Importance of Jihad

Jihad is considered as one of the most meritorious acts. It is the best action of a Muslim. Allah
(SWT) promised mercy and forgiveness for those who fight in His way.

Prophet (SAW) said, “The best of the believers is he who fights in the way of Allah with his wealth
and his life.” (Agreed)

Reference:
 Islam Beliefs and Practice by Yasmin Malik
 Cambridge O level Islmaiyat by Dr.Saqib Muhammad Khan & Habibur-
Rehman