1. JIHAD
⢠DEFINITION
⢠TYPES
⢠PURPOSE
⢠PROCESS
⢠CAPABILITIES OR THINGS TESTED
⢠WHEN IT IS COMPULSORY
⢠RULES
⢠REFRENCES
⢠IMPORTANCE
2. WHAT IS JIHAD
⢠The Arabic word "jihad" is often translated as "holy war," but in a purely linguistic sense, the word
" jihad" means struggling or striving.
⢠Jihad 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.In classical Islamic law, the term refers to
armed struggle against unbelievers,[while modernist Islamic scholars generally equate military
jihad with defensive warfare. In Sufi and pious circles, spiritual and moral jihad has been
traditionally emphasized under the name of greater jihad. The term has gained additional
attention in recent decades through its use by terrorist groups
⢠Jihad is an Arabic word from the root Jee Ha Da. It literally means to struggle or strive. Jihad is
struggling or striving in the way or sake of Allah. Jihad takes a very important status in the doctrine
of Islam and is one of the basic duties for every Muslim. Though, it has nothing whatsoever to do
with the term Holy War. Such a term, or its equivalent doesnât exist in the Islamic doctrine. The
Christian Crusaders in the mid-ages invented this ideology of Holy War. There is nothing âHolyâ
about wars. Wars only involve killings and disasters!
⢠A believer's internal struggle to live out the Muslim faith as well as possible
⢠The struggle to build a good Muslim society
⢠Holy war: the struggle to defend Islam with force if necessary
3. JIHAD
⢠The word Jihad is derived from the word âJUHDâ meaning
exertion or striving. Literally Jihad means maximum
struggle or effort towards a goal, Strive or work hard for a
particular cause. However, in religious sense, it means
exertion of oneâs power to the utmost of oneâs capacity in
the way of Allah for a good cause like establishing truth and
suppress evil . Figuratively It means struggle in the way of
Allah by Spiritual, mental and physical means eg through
pen, mind, knowledge, hand, tongue, morality, Courage,
Steadfastness and Worship. It is obligatory for a Muslim to
exercise all his powers In the way of Allah to counter and
eliminate all forms of evil, corruption, injustice, corruption,
tyranny and oppression and one of its aim is also to save
non Muslims from all these things
4. MAIN TYPES OF JIHAD
⢠Spiritual Jihad(Internal)- ihad Bil Nafs meaning heart/desires
also known as greater Jihad
⢠Mental Jihad(external)- Jihad Bil Lisan/Qalam/Dawa
meaning tongue, pen or media tools.1) jihad by the hand
(jihad bil-yad).2) jihad of the tongue (jihad bil-lisan)
⢠Physical Jihad-Jihad Bil saif/Qital meaning arms/physical
killings
5. TYPES
⢠JIHAD AGAINST ONESELF- A Muslim should fight his own inner
self, his desires and evil passions. He should detest all kinds of
evils that may find way to heart and mind and temptations that
are within or outside in the world
⢠JIHAD WITH TONGUE-A Muslim should use the power of his
tongue to invite others and protest against violence committed
against other Muslims, he strives for justice through words and
non violent actions. When a person uses his tongue for
protesting against the oppression of as tyrant so he is waging
war
⢠JIHAD WITH KNOWLEDGE- A person strives to gain knowledge ,
acts on it and then spread It to others, teach those who do not
know, guide the illiterate and show them the right path. This is
also including highlighting the social evils that plague the
society or clear misconceptions about islam using pen and
media like television, radio, phone and internet
6. ⢠JIHAD WITH WEALTH- A person spends his wealth for social
causes and welfare like to spread Islam and help those who
fight the enemies of Islam.
⢠JIHAD WITH SWORD-Muslims should be prepared to fight
enemies of Islam and those enemies of fight them and is
done in self defense against oppressors
7. SPRITUAL JIHAD
⢠Human soul is a scene of struggle between 2 competing powers,
divine powers attract him towards heavenly spheres and inspires him
to act good while Satanic powers tempt him towards realm of
darkness and shame and invites him to acts of evil.
⢠It is concerned with purifying oneâs spirit or soul from social evils,
wrong temptations, evil desires or passions and anger or lust that
emerge in each individual and is the fight between right and wrong as
bad suggestions approach our mind but using our heart and faith we
fight the evil within our selves and purify our own selves, this is also a
prove of strong and unbreakable faith in Islam. As we are the most
advanced creation of Allah so God has given us a brain now it is our
duty to correctly use it to eliminate all signs of evil from our body,
mind. We do this through worship, prayers and seeking shelter with
Allah
⢠Known as GREATER JIHAD by Mohammad SAW as it much more than
fighting in the battlefield for in this type of struggle, one has to
constantly fight enemies that are hosted inside his own existence. One
who succeeds in this struggle can emerge as a blessed being but one
who fails is no different from oppressors, infidels, wrong doers and
those of go astray
8. ⢠The spiritual jihad is a spiritual war that all Muslims need to
wage in order not to be overcome in the face of the
entrapment and tricks of the Satan and evil-self, and restrain
their own selfish desires. The purpose of the spiritual jihad,
which is also called spiritual fight or Jihad-u Akbar (the Great
Jihad), is to fight against the evil-self and the Satan during
Muslims whole lifetime, is to be a pure servant on the right
path, a benevolent Muslim, a virtuous and perfect human
being, by purifying their own evil-selves from all sorts of
temptations. The spiritual jihad means strengthening the
order of the inner-world. In addition, it is to wash ones heart
away from dirt and evil, and try to get rid of every sort of evil.
The spiritual jihad, which aims at ones improving and
amending his own inner-world, is the responsibility of being a
human. it is the . struggle to resist temptation to evil and to
overcome oneâs own weaknesses and failings on a daily basis
which many a time is harder to do.
9. MENTAL JIHAD⢠A type of Jihad in which Muslims strive in the way of Allah to eliminate
all the ignorance, Social evils and injustice that lurks in different
Muslims communities that harm Muslim society and even non
Muslims in negative way so that Peace, unity, firmness and stability be
maintained among Muslims.
⢠It can be done using intellectual capabilities like the mind or Brain,
Knowledge, Power of speech, Wisdom and wealth to spread Islam and
during this Jihad all these characteristics of an individual are tested.
⢠A Muslim uses his brain to emphasize, focus or evaluate all the
problems and thinks carefully until a solution is produced
⢠It also means to invite non Muslims to Islam and refreshing the faith of
Muslims. Known AS DAWA
⢠Some examples of saving society from Evil by using above mentioned
features are explaining problems and their solutions to individuals like
close friends, relatives, guests and neighbors, it can be in the form of
Public speeches, Speeches in Magazines or books and even Internet
websites and modern Electronic devices.
⢠For practice of this Jihad their should be some conditions like proper
Planning, proper usage of Brain, sacrifices, sound administration,
Vision, Knowledge and patience.
⢠It is a pathway for sacrifice of comfort, wealth and even life at demand
10. ⢠Mental Jihad also known As DAWAH . This kind of Jihad
involves intellectual and mental efforts in the pursuit of
spreading the message of Islam. It also includes answering
any questions or objections raised by infidels and Non-
Muslims about Relevance and Genuineness of Islam as a
way of life. Looked objectively and realistically, this is
perhaps the most important mode of Jihad in Modern
Times. Holy Prophet SAW remained engaged in this type of
jihad throughout his Makkan period
11. PHYSICAL JIHAD OR QITAL
⢠Qital relates to using your Physical capabilities in defense of Muslim
communities to ward of Tyranny, injustice, oppression and Zamindari
System by enemies of Islam under which Muslims are suffering and
they cant freely practice their religion to Establish peace . This is an
external Jihad using armed forces and it is not a practice of individual
but an entire group of Muslims willing to safe Muslims from all the
evil acts as it requires strength. Muslims mainly attack first.
⢠However before waging any war, the Muslim leader or chief of any
state in which Injustice and torture is prevailing and should be done
in accordance to Quran and Sunnah following the laid Rules by Quran
and Sunnah like not forcing people to Islam. Which are discussed next
⢠It should not be forgotten that Primary and main Aim of this Jihad
shouldnât be gaining booty, killing people for greed or any other
reason but to strive in way of Allah to promote justice and save
Muslims
⢠Islam Orders Physical War against Enemies of Islam who tend to
destroy It and Muslims are Instructed not to accept Humiliation and
become Victims of Torture of others so that Ummah is strong enough
that no one attacks it. Attacked can be any Ungodly Ruler or external.
⢠Itâs the last chance for Muslims after all techniques have failed.
12. ⢠Physical Jihad or Armed Struggle ââ Jihad against all
that prevents Muslims from servitude to God (Allah),
people from knowing Islam, defense of a Muslim
society (country), retribution against tyranny, and/or
when a Muslim is removed from their homeland by
force.
⢠Jihad must be performed by the Islamic rules and
regulations in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah.
Physical or military Jihad must be called by Muslim
authority such as head of Muslim Country after much
consideration and consultations with learned leaders.
13. ⢠In Islam there is no such thing as Holy War or
terrorism. Islam recognizes Jews and Christians as the
âPeople of the Bookâ because they all follow the
Prophet Abraham, believing in Musa and Esa (Jesus)
teachings. For many centuries, Muslims have
peacefully coexisted with Christians, Jews, and people
of other faiths, maintaining social, business, political
and economic treaties. Islam respects all humans and
faiths as long as there is no religious oppression,
forbidding Muslims from serving Allah, preventing
others from learning about Islam, and not respecting
treaties.
14. ⢠When Muslims were Threatened and Madina
was attacked then Allah allowed them to fight
back.
15. WHEN JIHAD IS NECESSARY ?
⢠Jihad Becomes obligatory when not only Ideology and Beliefs of Muslims but
also their lives, properties, homes and everything else is in danger.
⢠Whenever any Muslim State is attacked by any other state becomes religious
duty of every Muslim of that State to fight against the invader. If the Muslim
state under attack is not strong enough to defend itself, then it becomes of
other religious neighboring countries or states to help, if that is unsuccessful
then it becomes the duty of All Muslim states in the world to help her. Best
example of this modern time is that Afghanistan, when it was under attacked
in 1979 by the Soviet Union, all Muslim countries rushed to save it.
⢠The attacker of Muslim state can be Any Anti-Islamic force, bad ruler of land
in which Muslims are living and other states who want to destroy Islam
⢠It is the Last Struggle for Muslims when previous techniques have failed.
⢠When Muslims cant freely practice their religion or Pray, No Azan
⢠The rulers give a call to each and every citizen of their country to participate
in Jihad and their sufficient money.
⢠If Muslims are not under ruler so they can freely wage a war whenever they
want but if they placed under Islamic leader then permission should be
sought first
16. RULES OF JIHAD
⢠Muslims must not be first to initiate Fighting
⢠Women, Children, old, farmers ,Sick, homes and properties shouldnât
be harmed
⢠Fruit-Bearing trees shouldnât be burned or cut down
⢠Animal whose meat is Halal shouldnât be Killed except when
sacrificed for eating
⢠Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and other places of Worship should
not be demolished.
⢠Prisoners should be treated kindly; they should be fed and clothed
properly.
⢠Corpses of fallen and dead should not be mutilated or disfigured.
⢠Treaties should be respected and fulfilled
⢠Booty shouldnât be stolen
⢠Ambassadors shouldnât be killed or Maltreated
⢠No unjustified aggression shall be made on Weaker nations
⢠If people take refuge in monasteries then they are not to be harmed
17. RULES
⢠The opponent must always have started the fighting.
⢠It must not be fought to gain territory.
⢠It must be launched by a religious leader.
⢠It must be fought to bring about good - something that Allah will approve of.
⢠Every other way of solving the problem must be tried before resorting to war.
⢠Innocent people should not be killed.
⢠Women, children, or old people should not be killed or hurt.
⢠Women must not be raped.
⢠Enemies must be treated with justice.
⢠Wounded enemy soldiers must be treated in exactly the same way as one's own
soldiers.
⢠The war must stop as soon as the enemy asks for peace.
⢠Property must not be damaged.
⢠Poisoning wells is forbidden. The modern analogy would be chemical or biological
warfare
18. ⢠These instructions reveal the true spirit of
Islam which abhors aggression, destruction
and bloodshed and enjoins justice, mercy and
tolerance
19. ⢠Jihad was always preceded by Invitation to
Islam or payment of Jizya. Prophet SAW and
early caliphs followed this rule. Muslims often
waited for 3 days before the announcement of
actual fighting to provide opportunity for
Negotiation. This often led to peaceful
settlement in battles against Sassanid and
Byzantine
20. WHAT A JIHAD IS NOT
A war is not a Jihad if the intention is to:
⢠Force people to convert to Islam
⢠Conquer other nations to colonise them
⢠Take territory for economic gain
⢠Settle disputes
⢠Demonstrate a leader's power
⢠Although the Prophet engaged in military action on
a number of occasions, these were battles to
survive, rather than conquest, and took place at a
time when fighting between tribes was common.
⢠Not follow above slide rules
21. PURPOSE OF JIHAD
⢠Self-defence
⢠Strengthening Islam
⢠Protecting the freedom of Muslims to practise
their faith
⢠Protecting Muslims against oppression, which
could include overthrowing a tyrannical ruler
⢠Punishing an enemy who breaks an oath
⢠Putting right a wrong
⢠UNITY
⢠PEACE
22. IMPORTANCE/MERITS
⢠One of the most Rewarding and superior forms of Worships
⢠Richest Blessings of Paradise
⢠Helps to achieve Human Excellence
⢠Jihad is a way of Establishment of a just and peaceful
society
⢠Jihad grants immunity to Muslimâs religion, country, Family
and possessions
23. QURAN ON JIHAD
⢠Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin
not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors.
⢠Qur'an 2:190
⢠To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because
they are wronged;- and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid.
⢠Qur'an 22:39
⢠Therefore if they withdraw from you but fight you not, and (instead) send
you (Guarantees of) peace, then Allah Hath opened no way for you (to war
against them).
⢠Qur'an 4:90
⢠But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards
peace, and trust in Allah: for He is One that heareth and knoweth (all
things).
⢠Qur'an 8:61
24. JUNE 2014
⢠Write an account of:
⢠(i) The Prophetâs teachings about armed warfare (jihad).
⢠(ii) Under what circumstances is jihad thought to be compulsory? [10]
The Prophet laid down a set of rules about conduct during armed warfare (jihad). In
answering the first part of the question candidates need to show sound knowledge of what
these rules are e.g. Muslims shall not be the first to initiate fighting; women, children, old
people are not to be harmed; fruit bearing trees are not to be cut down; places of worship of
any faith are not to be destroyed; captives should be treated kindly; corpses of the enemy
should not be mutilated; treaties should be respected and ambassadors should not be
mistreated or killed etc. For the second part of the question the candidates have to write
about the conditions under which jihad becomes compulsory like it is obligatory when not
only the beliefs of Muslims are threatened but their lives, homes and property etc. are at
stake; whenever a Muslim state is attacked it becomes the religious duty of every Muslim of
that state to fight against the invaders. These and other points that are relevant to the answer
could be made. Good answers may well give quotes from the Qurâan to support their answer.
It should be remembered that the marks are not divided 5x5 between the two parts but the
answer has to be read as a whole and the mark should be given accordingly.
25. JUNE 2014
⢠âThe Prophetâs teachings about armed warfare (jihad) are not relevant
todayâ. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. [4]
Answers could agree or disagree with the statement. However, whatever their
response the
candidates need to back up their point of view with valid reasons. For example
some might
agree with the statement saying that modern weapons of war like bombs donât
discriminate
between the men, women or children they kill or the damage they do to the
environment.
Some on the other hand could disagree with the statement and say the
teachings of the
Prophet regarding armed warfare are just as relevant today as they were in the
Prophetâs
time and that we must have respect for life and the environment and use jihad
as a last
resort and when engaged in it make sure that the code of conduct set by the
Prophet is
followed. All valid answers must be credited.
26. OCTOBER 2013
⢠Write a description of the Muslim teachings about jihad
Candidates may well start their answer by giving the meaning of the word jihad and go on to
say that in religious terminology it means to strive or exert oneself in the way of God. They
could identify the four different kinds of jihad and go on to differentiate between jihad and
qital. Good answers are likely to discuss the conditions under which jihad becomes
obligatory and also the rules of jihad may be given in well developed answers. All valid
responses must be credited
⢠Why is greater jihad considered the more important? [4]
An evaluative response to why jihad of the self (jihad bil nafs) is considered most important
needs to be given here. Responses could say that it is most important because it is the
struggle to resist temptation to evil and to overcome oneâs own weaknesses and failings on a
daily basis which many a time is harder to do. All valid answers must be credited.
27. OCTOBER 2015
⢠Describe the meaning of the term jihad and say how Muslims can practise jihad in their everyday lives.
[10]
Candidates may well give the meaning of the term jihad and go on to say that in religious
terminology it means to struggle against ones evil inclinations and to exert in the way of
Islam. They can go on to say what the different kinds of jihad are; jihad of the self (jihad bilnafs),
jihad of the tongue (jihad bil-lisan), jihad by the hand (jihad bil-yad), and jihad by the
sword (jihad bis-saif). They need to go on to say how Muslims practice jihad in their everyday
lives and here the answers could vary with some writing about how mostly it is jihad bil-nafs,
which is practiced when Muslims fight their own inner selves to keep on the path of
righteousness. Others could mention how Muslims in war-torn countries are fighting for their
faith and a just government
⢠(b) Why do you think jihad of the self (jihad bil-nafs) is greater than armed jihad (jihad bis-saif )?
⢠An evaluative response is needed here as to why jihad of the self is considered the greater
⢠jihad and all valid responses should be credited
28. OCTOBER 2016⢠Write an account of the difference in meaning between:
⢠(i) jihad of the self
⢠(iii) jihad of the tongue, and
⢠(iii) jihad of the sword. [10]
⢠There are four kinds of jihad fi sabil-illah (struggle in the cause of Allah). They are:
⢠jihad of the self (jihad bin- nafs);
⢠Jihad of the tongue (jihad bil- lisan);
⢠jihad by the hand (jihad bil-yad) and
⢠jihad by the sword (jihad bis-saif).
The candidates can well begin their answer by defining the term jihad, which could be said to
mean to strive, to struggle, to exert oneâs energy or to persevere. The Qurâan it could be
further clarified uses the term jihad in context with the struggle to exert oneself in the way of
God. Having explained the term jihad the candidates need to specifically write about the
difference in meaning of the three kinds of jihad given in the question and say what it is.
Candidates may well write about the importance of these three kinds of jihad and that should
be read as development in the answer though is not necessary to get to the higher levels.
Candidates could give quotes from the Qurâan or the Prophetâs (pbuh) hadiths to support
their answer.
29. EXPECTED QUESTIONS
What are Muslimâs Beliefs about Jihad?(10)
What does âJihadâ mean and discuss types of Jihad(10)
What is Qital and on what conditions does it become
compulsory?(10)
What are the conditions when Jihad should be done?(10)
What are the laid rules for Jihad?(10)
What is importance and Benefits of Jihad to Muslims?(10)