Dr. Israr Ahmad And The Islamic Philosophy Of Jihad

By Dr Israr Ahmad

31 May 2023

Transcribed and Translated into English by New Age Islam Staff Writer

 

 

The philosophy of Islamic Jihad is meant for all ages. Unfortunately, many Muslims hold misconceptions about Jihad, and those who oppose Islam have further demonised and dehumanised it. Recognise that one of the most significant and obligatory commands of Islam is to engage in Jihad. The Holy Quran therefore declares:

“The true believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger—never doubting—and strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah. They are the ones true in faith.” (49:15)

Jihad is therefore a crucial and fundamental aspect of faith. However, many people have incorrectly connected Jihad with Qitaal [fighting] and believed that Jihad is the same as fighting despite the fact that the Holy Qur’an employs a distinct word for fighting—Qitaal. Allah says in the Quran:

“Surely Allah loves those who fight in His cause in solid ranks as if they were one concrete structure.” (61:4)

Fighting hence refers to Qitaal and may also be used to allude to Jihad.

Jihad, however, covers a comprehensive sense. Take heed of the details. First of all, I'll make the case that every living organism, regardless of how it gets its life or where it gets it, must fight for it—wage a Jihad—in order to survive. Jihad here alludes to a struggle for existence. If you desire more and someone else wants what you have, there is competition. As a result, one may describe the fight between them as a struggle for survival. It is Jihad in this sense. An adherent of Islam engages in jihad in accordance with the laws of Allah. He acquires wealth through halal, not haram, means. He complies with the divine instructions by using halal rather than haram. This is also a form of jihad.

Beyond that, the most fundamental form of Jihad that arises at the level of humanity is the struggle for one's rights, particularly the achievement of freedom and self-determination. This is a struggle, the struggle for freedom, and everyone has engaged in it. Hindus have carried it out. The Muslims have done it. The action was taken by the Europeans. It was accomplished by the Americans who fought a war to overthrow Britain, etc. Everyone has engaged in Jihad, including Muslims.

Muslims confronted the Russian army in Afghanistan and forced it to retreat as part of their jihad campaign. What kind of jihad was this, though? This Jihad was a struggle of existence. The purpose of this jihad was freedom.

Above all of that is Jihad Fi Sabilillah, or jihad in the cause of Allah. There are also three levels to Jihad in the path of Allah. The greatest form of jihad is to wage jihad against one's Nafs and make it obedient to Allah.

The Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked, "O Messenger of Allah, tell me which is the best Jihad?" He replied that your fight against [the evil wills or actions of] your Nafs in order to tame it and submit it to Allah is the greatest Jihad.

Similar to how a bob pushes you in a particular direction, the current environment aims to move you in its particular direction. Living in a corrupt society will therefore encourage you to act in a corrupt manner. Therefore, fighting it also counts as a form of jihad.

There are two ways to deal with your environment: "Zamana Ba Tu Nasazad Tu Ba Zamana Saaz" (You should adapt to the times if they are not to your favour) and "Zamana Ba Tu Ba Zamana Satez" (If the times do not adapt to you, then be ready to fight against it).

If the time does not harmonize with you, oppose it, maintain your position, and choose your own course of action. Defeating incorrect concepts is a more effective form of Jihad. Of course, there are also false ideologies and misleading religions. The crooks are waving their flags proudly. One concern is the way people think in the west. There is a lack of religion and spirituality in today's materialistic world. Therefore, it is now Jihad to disprove these false presumptions, flawed paradigms, and corrupt ideologies.

It will require both time and effort. Learn what Bertrand Russell said first. What did Jean-Paul Sartre say? What is so-and-so's philosophy? What is the philosophy of Plato? How much of what they've said is true, and how much of it is false?  Now, if anything has to be nullified, you can do so. You will also need to research various religions. This is Jihad in all its manifestations. It demands time, effort, ability, and night-time awakenings. An ability must first be acquired in order to be used. The ultimate aim is to establish the system of Allah.

The Deen [Religion] refers to a comprehensive system of beliefs and encompasses all facets of life. The real religion is this. Three times in the Holy Qur'an, it is said that we sent the Holy Prophet solely for the sake of our religion's dominance over all others. It goes without saying that an invitation will be extended initially. Everything must be accomplished. Those who accept the religion will next receive training. They must be ready in advance. Then an organisation known as Hezbollah (the party of Allah) will appear. They will engage in Jihad against the fraudulent system, which at this stage possibly involve fighting [Qitaal].

None of the prior Jihads involved fighting, going to war, or using weapons. But when we get to this level, we find that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) spent thirteen years preparing for this Jihad. He initially invited individuals, preached to them, and trained those who embraced Islam. After all of this, he and his group raised the sword in opposition to the flawed system.

The suggestion is to use some alternative methods in place of the sword. This indicates that a people's movement could form to alter the system through agitation and protest movements, which must be led by a strong party and should be nonviolent. There are numerous examples of them in the world today. Even at this level, the only alternative is not war.

After reaching this point, fighting might break out. That war will then be legitimate and carried out in the cause of Allah. To achieve this, though, each step will need to be followed, along with a backup plan. Jihad must therefore navigate all of its stages and processes. There must an alternative as well. That alternative is a nonviolent public movement, or one-sided war for which humans come out.

Anywhere you engage in civil disobedience, you may undoubtedly come under fire, therefore prepare to lose your life without endangering others. The entire situation is possible. This is the idea of Jihad, and according to the Qur'an, Jihad is an essential component of faith. The Qur'an does not promise the prosperity and success of man or the hereafter in the absence of this Jihad.

Accordingly, it is mentioned in Surah As-Saf: “O believers! Shall I guide you to an exchange that will save you from a painful punishment? ˹It is to˺ have faith in Allah and His Messenger, and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is best for you, if only you knew.” (61:10-11)

There is no assurance from us that you will be spared from this harsh punishment if you don't accomplish this. The highest position of this Jihad, according to the same Surah, is Qitaal [fighting] when a soldier approaches the battlefield with his life in his hands or on his palms. Allah says in the same Surah:

“Surely Allah loves those who fight in His cause in solid ranks as if they were one concrete structure.” (61:4)

Allah loves those of His servants who fight in His path, risk their lives in the process, and show up on the battlefield to confront falsehood. It appears to be the top rank.

Speech link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwJ-MLdoxCE

 

URL:    https://newageislam.com/multimedia/israr-islamic-philosophy-jihad/d/129890

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