4- Initial Jihad

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Objectives of Jihad in Islam3- Holy War (Jihad) and Islamic clemency!

Question: What you stated about defensive Jihad in Islam is proper and acceptable for us. We too confess that defensive Jihad is not considered as violence. Rather, it is in agreement with Islamic benevolence and clemency. Is the initial Jihad which is performed initially and without any attack by the other party, in accordance with Islamic clemency? And not considered as a sort of violence?

Answer: It could be replied in two ways. Pay attention:

 

First answer: Is there any initial Jihad in Islam?

Some Islamic researches, scholars and historians believe that there is not any initial Jihad in Islam, and all wars occurred at Prophet’s (s.a.) time at the beginning of Islam have been defensive, that is, first the enemy has attacked, then Prophet (s.a.) and Moslems defended themselves.

For instance, in the “Confederates Battle”, which was one of the most extensive battles by Islam enemies against Prophet (s.a.) and Moslems, the idolaters started the war. They departed towards Medina from different parts of Hijaz headed by Mecca idolaters, and surrounded the city. Moslems had to defend their soul, wealth, honor and beliefs. Does any sage one agree to keep silent before the armed enemies (intending to kill Islam Prophet (s.a.) and Moslems, and capture their women and children and destroy Medina)? Is confronting with them considered as violence?

In Honain battle, Prophet (s.a.) was informed that “Havazan tribe” and some other idolaters are going to assault Medina, the main base of Moslems. Prophet (s.a.) prepared Moslems for defending themselves and their religion, and thereby Honain battle occurred.

Among the wars at the beginning of Islam, it may seem that “Kheibar war” has been an initial Jihad, while studying history clarifies that it has been a defensive one. Prophet (s.a.) was going to give a telling response to the plots, sabotages and mischief of those who implicated directly or directly in most events. Moreover, Kheibar was the center of corruption and sedition, and Moslems aimed to destroy this center. Therefore, Khaibar battle too was not an initial Jihad.

The same applies to the Badr battle. In the second year of Hejirah, two events happened called Badr battle, one of which was known as minor Badr and the other as major Badr, both initiated by Islam enemies. Islam Prophet (s.a.) was informed that a group of Mecca idolater heads have come around Medina, and have plundered Moslems’ camels, sheep and other properties, and are escaping to Mecca. Prophet (s.a.) ordered Islam soldiers to chase them. The soldiers chased them to Badr, but despaired of finding the enemy. The event finished without any conflict and it was known as minor Badr. The major Badr battle which occurred later in the same year, was a response to the sharp aggression by the Mecca heads, and was a defensive war.

“Conquest of Mecca” was one of the important campaigns by Islam Prophet (s.a.). However, first, it aimed at destruction of center of Islam enemies and idolaters, because all Moslem problems, adversities and wars were planned there. Second, no war happened during “Conquest of Mecca”. When the idolaters observed the Moslems mighty and crowded host, they surrendered themselves without any war and blood-shedding.

In brief, according to this group of Islamic researches,  scholars and historians, all wars occurred at the beginning of Islam were defensive, and none was considered as an initial Jihad. Quranic verses too confirms this:

الا تقاتلون قوماً نکثوا ایمانهم و هموا باخراج الرسول و هم بدءوکم اول مره

Will you not fight a people who broke their oaths and purposed to expel the Messenger, beginning the first time against you(38)?

The phrase “beginning the first time against you” indicates that the wars at the beginning of Islam were defensive, and not initial.

In another verse God excludes a group of idolaters after declaring war with them and says:

الا الذین عاهدتم من المشرکین ثم لم ینقصوکم شیئاً و لم یظاهروا علیکم احداً فاتموا الیهم عهدهم الی مدتهم ان الله یحب المتقین.

Excepting those of the idolaters with whom you made covenant, then they failed you naught neither lent support to any man against you. With them fulfill your covenant till their term; surely God loves the god-fearing.(39)

The words applied in this verse indicate that Moslems will not involve in war with idolaters as far as Islam enemies do not break their promises, and are not supporting those who are directly fighting with Moslems, and no danger is felt from their side. In one word, Moslems will not initiate war.

In addition to the above two verses, verse 61, The Spoils sura proves the same. The verse recommends Moslems that if they are called for peace, they shall receive their call and reply positively. The verse implies that Islam does not attack and assault the tribes, nations and countries not initiating war against it.

In brief: As per some Islamic researchers, scholars and historians, wars by Islam Prophet (s.a.) at the beginning of Islam have been all defensive, and none has been initiative. Some Quranic verses too approve the same.

 

Second answer: In some special cases, initial Jihad is in concordance with logic and intellect

Three types of initial Jihad are induced from the Holy Quran which are in concordance with intellect and practice of all sage men in the world, and are not in contradiction with Islamic benevolence and clemency:

 

1-      Jihad for extinguishing sedition

Quran refers to this type of Jihad:

و قاتلوهم حتی لا تکون فتنه و یکون الدین لله

Fight them, till there I no persecution and the religion is God’s.(40)

According to the verse, wherever there is mischief, and there is no other way save war for its elimination, we are authorized to initiate Jihad for elimination of mischief and sedition. As it was stated, such initial Jihad is acceptable by all the sage and other religions and doctrines in the world. Practice of the sage too confirms it, two samples of which are referred to hereunder:

a- Several years ago, when the Moslem country of Bosnia and Herzegovina was assaulted wildly by the oppressor Serbs, they destroyed the houses, mosques, farms, hospitals and other institutes of this Islamic country, and even worse, they initiated a widespread genocide.  A union was formed by the European countries to find a solution for this sedition. Finally, they concluded that there remains no way save military aggression and fighting with Serbs. Thus, they attacked them and extinguished the sedition.

Here, we do not care the motives of the said union (if they aimed at spiritual affairs and supporting Moslems or prevention from the problems which will involve them in the future, …). However, they authorized and accomplished the initial Jihad and military attack for extinguishing the sedition by Serbs, and the sage in world approved them.

b- Another live example is the war which occurred recently in Afghanistan. We saw that after ruling this country, Taliban started widespread cultivation of poppy to taint the neighbor countries, Middle East and rather, all the world. Moreover, they committed unprecedented crimes in Afghanistan, and changed into a dangerous cause of disturbance for people in Afghanistan and other countries. For termination of this tumult and elimination of disturbance, UN formed a force to attack to Afghanistan and save the oppressed people of this country and all the world from Taliban. Undoubtedly, this was approved and accepted by all the sage in the world. Afghan people objected U.S. in this event because they knew that U.S. did not enter Afghanistan for elimination of disturbance, and rather, it was seeking for its own interests.

However, Jihad and war for extinguishing disturbance which is induced from Holy Quran is accepted by all the sage in world, and is not considered as violence.

 

2-      Jihad with tyrants and rebels

When two Islamic tribes, groups or countries involve in conflict, according to the Holy Quran, the other Moslems are obliged to solve and settle their dispute. If one of them does not accept to reconcile and does not stop oppression and aggression, and continues its assault despite of readiness of other party for reconciliation, it is called a rebel from Islam point of view. Here, Islam authorizes Moslems to fight with the rebel group and initiate Jihad (Holy War) against it.

Islam does not let us to keep silent and be an observer while a group are oppressing another one.

On this basis, we believe that all Islamic territories shall contribute the oppressed Palestinians(in any possible way), and eliminate the evil of the usurper and oppressor Israel which commits a new oppression and crime everyday. Otherwise, they shall bear a heavy responsibility with God.

Although, this is an initial Jihad, but it is compatible with any sage logic and intellect, and not considered as violence. Rather, it is the requisite of Islamic benevolence and clemency for the oppressed group.

 

3-      Jihad for elimination of hindrances to freedom for propagation of Islam

God has issued instructions and programs for prosperity, freedom, perfection, felicity and tranquility of man, and has obliged His prophets to declare these instructions to the people. If an individual or a group finds these orders a hindrance to their cheap interests, and impede prophets’ invitation, prophets and their followers are authorized to eliminate them first peacefully, and if not possible, resorting force in order to restore freedom for propagation.

In other words, people in all societies are entitled to hear the call of heralds of truth, and be free to accept their invitation. If some want to deprive them from their legitimate right and do not let them to listen call of heralds of truth, the advocators of these programs are authorized to use any means for provision of this freedom.

Therefore, if Moslems want to propagate their religion and doctrine through logical ways and introduce it to non-Moslems, but a group hinders them and their logical and proper propagations so that they may break pens, cut tongues and choke breathes, Islam authorizes its followers to initiate Jihad for elimination of these hindrances and paving the way for the proper and logical propagation of religion of truth (not imposing it with force and power of sword).

When Islam was imported to Iran, it did not enter this territory for imposition of idea on Iranians. Rather, it fought with Iranian host for elimination of unreasonable hindrances for logical propagation of Islam. After overcoming Sasanian host, it never obliged and compelled people to accept and convert to Islam. On this account, some fire temples were flaming years after conquest of Iran by Islam, and some people still had their previous religion and doctrine. However, most of Iranians who were clever embraced Islam and obeyed its instructions.

Sasanian were the main hindrance for propagation of Islam in Iran. Eliminating this great hindrance, Islam prepared the situation for acceptance of Islam by Iranians. Certainly, this type of initial Jihad too is not refuted by the sage of world.

In general, initial Jihad for extinguishing sedition, prevention from rebellion of tyrants and rebels and or elimination of hindrances to Islamic propagation is not considered as violence. Rather, it is the same Islamic benevolence.  

It is inferred from above that Islam is the religion of compassion and clemency, and even some of its rulings which may seem violent apparently, are not practically in contradiction with Islamic clemency. Those who accused this clement religion with violence, are either unfamiliar with Islamic instructions or vindictive enemies who find Islam a hindrance for their illegitimate personal interests and benefits.

 

38-  Quran, Repentance:13
39-  Quran, Repentance:4
40-  Quran, The Cow:193

 

 

Objectives of Jihad in Islam3- Holy War (Jihad) and Islamic clemency!
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