Jihad

Jihad (English: ; Arabic: جهاد‎ jihād) is an Arabic word which literally means striving or struggling, especially with a praiseworthy aim. It can have many shades of meaning in an Islamic context, such as struggle against one's evil inclinations, an exertion to convert unbelievers, or efforts toward the moral betterment of society, though it is most frequently associated with war.

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Angels . Earth . Mankind . Jihad . God (Allah)

How did the angels know that humans will fight on Earth at the time when Allah was creating Prophet Adam (a)?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answered 11 months ago

Some people say it is because Allah had created the jinn first, and the angels had seen the jinn fighting so knew that a new species with free will would also fight.

Some say that there were other humanoids (nasnas), and they had fought, and so they deduced from this that a new species with free will would also fight.

These two views are reinforced by a narration from Imam al-Sadiq (A) in which he says that the angels could not have known that humans would cause bloodshed if they hadn't seen the precedent of earlier creatures on earth.

Some simply say that they understood this from looking at human nature, or by looking at the nature of life on earth and the challenges of living as an earth-based being (for instance, competition for food, water, reproduction, and land).

Since the earth (dunya) is considered the basest or lowest level of creation, vis-a-vis the heavenly realms, perhaps it also didn't make sense to instill Allah's vicegerency in an earthling.

Maybe there are other reasons too which relate to the nature of the angels and their existence outside of the earthly realm which would give them access to knowledge or a perspective that human beings generally lack.

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Battles . Jihad . Umar b. al-Khattab . Imam Ali

Is it true that many battles were fought during the reign of Umer bin Khattab but Ali (AS) never took part in any of them? If so, would those battles not be considered as valid Jihad?

Many the battles that were fought during the expansion of the Arab-Muslim empires after the time of the Prophet (S) were the same sort of battles that any other empire or state engages in to look after its political, financial or economic interests, although it is true that, as a side effect, it contributed to the spread of Islam by establishing a ruling class who was Muslim. So, from that angle, there is nothing special about them to make them jihad fi sabil Allah.

However, if someone was fighting in defence or for other selfless reasons, this could be considered jihad, just as it would be considered jihad fi sabil Allah today if I risked my life to defend someone who is under attack.

Perhaps for that reason, there is a dua in al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyah where Imam Zayn al-Abidin (A) prays for the soldiers on the frontier who are defending the Muslim state against enemies.

Also, even in times of jihad with the Prophet (S), whether or not fighting was counted as jihad was according to intention. For instance, some people might have gone to war for glory or financial gain, and so this is not the same thing as risking their lives or enduring battle solely for the sake of Allah.

Battles . Jihad . Umar b. al-Khattab . Imam Ali

Is it true that many battles were fought during the reign of Umer bin Khattab but Ali (AS) never took part in any of them? If so, would those battles not be considered as valid Jihad?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 1 year ago

Imam Ali (AS) never took part in any matter of the governments of Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman. He did not attend any Juma or Jama'ah with them (Al-Thahabi in Siyar A'laam al- Nubalaa' 9/284.

Valid Jihad must be led or permitted by the Prophet (SAWA) or his real successors.

Wassalam.

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Islam . Jihad

Some of my non-Muslim friends say that Islam, in its early stages, was spread by attacking other nations and by the sword. Is this true? If so, does it not contradict the principle that fighting is only allowed for self defense?

This also may be helpful

https://www.al-islam.org/ask/is-it-true-that-islam-was-spread-by-the-swo...

Islam . Jihad

The claim of your non Muslim friend is untrue. He might be influenced by wrong anti Islam propaganda.
Quran is very clear that (No compulsion in religion)(2:256). The Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) never forced any one to become a Muslim inspire of being the head of the state in Madina. Non Muslims lived free in their faith during his government.

We never fight to force people to become Muslims and we believe that I forced faith is invalid. We fight just to defend ourselves, our community and our faith when there an attack on us. Allah says in Quran (And fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but never transgress the limits, surely Allah does not like the transgressors)(2:190).

Muslims ruled over many countries e.g Indian subcontinent, Indonesia, Egypt and African countries but never forced people to b4come Muslims. That is why you find after centuries of Muslim rule, millions of non Muslims are still existing and free in their non Muslim faith. Muslims ruled India for ten centuries and find till today the majority of people there are non Muslims. Those who became Muslims opted themselves by themselves to embrace Islam because of the great teachings of Islam with out any force. Egypt after 1400 years of Muslims rule have till today millions of Copts. Theses are living examples of the freedom of faith in Islam.

Wassalam

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Jihad . Imam al-Mahdi

When the Mahdi arrives will I have to leave my family and join him and fight alongside him? What if I have no experience of fighting anyone?

The sincere believers will obey the orders of Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) in every matter in their life. He will not order all the believers to fight. His aim is not merely fighting but only against the enemies of human beings who are the tyrants. He will clean the whole earth from tyranny and injustice and fill the whole earth with justice and fairness.

He will never ask people to do any thing which they do not know, so, if you have no experience in fighting, you will not be asked to fight, unless you go through suitable training which makes you able to fight. That also only fighting was required in your area, which is not confirmed in every area. We need to prepare ourselves to obey the orders of our Imam (AS) but we can never know now whether he will order us to fight against the enemies of human beings or to build our societies and serve people.

Wassalam.

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Jihad . Imam al-Mahdi

Who will Imam Mahdi (atfs) fight? Will he only kill those who fight him, or will he also kill all who disbelieve in him? If someone at the time wants to remain a non-Muslim and is not aggressive, will Imam Mahdi allow him to remain so?

Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) will not fight but only against those enemies who insist on fighting him. Non Muslims will never be forced to become Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and Imam Ali (AS) never forced any non Muslim to become a Muslim. Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) will be applying Islamic rules in the same prophetic way.

Wassalam.

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History . Jihad . Battles . Prophet Muhammad

How many wars did the Prophet Mohammad SAW fight with the infidels and what is their history?

Seyed Saied Alavi, Seyed Saied Alavi is a researcher based in Qom who has studied from the Howzah of Qom and also completed a Pastoral studies program. He is currently a university lecturer in the fields of Shia... Answered 1 year ago

In the name of Allah

During the 9 years of The Holy Prophet's life after Hijrah - depending on the definition of battle - between 80 to 100 counts of Battle between Muslims and non-muslims are recorded in history.
The Holy Prophet -Peace be upon him and his Ahlul Bayt- was personally present and leading the Army in 27 of these Battles that are called Ghazwah (غزوة). The rest were lead by his appointed generals.
It's worth mentioning that most of these battles were resolved without any/major conflict like the Conquest of Mecca.

Here you can read more details about some of these battles:
https://www.al-islam.org/life-muhammad-prophet-sayyid-saeed-akhtar-rizvi...

WasSalaam.

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Jihad

Who are some Islamic leaders who have publicly addressed the 'permission to fight' teaching, and when and where is it permissible?

Mateen Charbonneau, Sheikh Mateen Joshua Charbonneau achieved a certificate from Harvard University in Islamic Studies. He undertook Howza classes under esteemed scholars since 2013 and has been teaching at Imam Mahdi... Answered 3 years ago

If someone attacks you it is permissible to defend yourself.