Some Additional Qur’anic Verses Relevant to Jihad — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 2
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Some Additional Qur’anic Verses Relevant to Jihad.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: II – Commencement of Jihad by the Sword and Fundamental Discussion on Jihād
Pages: Book pp. 65–69 (PDF pp. 89–93)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Holy Qur’an as the Most Authentic Historical Evidence] | Next: [Some Fundamental Narrations Relevant to Jihad by the Sword] »
Historical Account
At this occasion, it seems appropriate to record various other verses of the Holy Qur’ān as well on Jihād by the sword, which were revealed to the Holy Prophetsa from time to time. The reason being that they shed such light on the circumstances of these early Islāmic wars, as cannot be attained anywhere
else. Allāh the Exalted states:
“O ye Muslims! And fight in the cause of Allāh against those who fight against you, but do not transgress, because Allāh loves not the transgressors. And fight those disbelievers who fight against you wherever you meet them. And drive them out from where they have driven you out, i.e., wherever they desire to forcefully abolish your influence, oppose them. Undoubtedly, the persecution which these people are inflicting is far worse than killing. And fight them not in the area of the Ḥaram. But if they initiate war against you in the Ḥaram, then undoubtedly you should also fight them therein: such is the requital for the ungrateful. And if the disbelievers desist, then know that surely Allāh is Most Forgiving, Merciful. And O ye Muslims! fight the disbelievers until there is no persecution in the land and religion is freely professed for Allāh, i.e., there remains no fear of anyone except God in the matter of religion and every individual can profess any faith he so desires with freedom of conscience. But if these disbelievers desist from war, then you should also desist immediately. Remember that no hostility is allowed except against the aggressors.”
[Sacred proximity of the Ka‘bah [Publishers]]
The purport of this verse is very clear as well, and it becomes evident that Muslims were only given permission for Jihād against those people who fought against them in the matter of religion, and desired to revert them from their faith at the dint of the sword. Moreover, the Muslims were also ordered
that if these disbelievers desisted from war then they should also stand down immediately. Furthermore, the wisdom behind war has also been mentioned in this verse, and it is so that persecution no longer remains in the land and religious freedom may be established.
Then He states:
“And if these disbelievers incline towards peace, then O Messenger! you should also incline towards it, and put thy trust in Allāh. Surely, it is He Who is AllHearing, All-Knowing.”
[Al-Anfāl (8:62)]
Then He states:
“And if anyone of the idolaters wish to come into your protection in order to investigate religion then let him come, then convey him to his place of security in your protection.”
([At-Taubah (9:6)])
Then He states:
Then He states:
“And fulfill the covenant; for surely you shall be answerable to God with respect to the covenant.”
[Banī Isrā’īl (17:35)]
Then He states:
“Allāh forbids you not, respecting those who have not fought against you on account of your religion, and who have not driven you forth from your homes, that you be kind to them and act equitably towards them and show benevolence; surely Allāh the Exalted loves those who are equitable and benevolent. Allāh the Exalted only forbids you from befriending those who have fought against you on account of your religion, and have driven you out of your homes, and have helped others in driving you out. And whosoever makes friends of them – it is these that are the transgressors.”
[Al-Mumtaḥinah (60:9-10)]
Then He states:
“O ye who believe! establish equity and justice in the world for the sake of Allāh; and let not a people’s enmity incite you to act unjustly towards them. Rather, be always just and equitable, even with your enemy, for justice and equity are requirements of virtue. And fear Allāh. And remember that Allāh closely watches over your deeds.”
[Al-Mā’idah (5:9)]Some Fundamental Narrations Relevant to
Jihād by the Sword
The above is an exposition by the Holy Qur’ān, and after a Qur’ānic elaboration there remains no need for any further explanation. However, in the consideration that lest a person be led to doubt that perhaps the general historical account is at odds with the Qur’ān, at this juncture, it seems appropriate to include such narrations as shed fundamental light on the initial wars of Islām. Thus, it is narrated that the Holy Prophetsa would say to the Companions:
�ألُوا اللّٰهَ الْعَافِیَةَ فَاِذَا لَقِیْتُمُوْھُمْ فَاصْ بِرُوْاْیٰاَیُّھَاالنَّاسُ لَا تَتَمَنَّوْا لِقَاءَ الْعَدُوِّ وَاس
“O ye Muslims! you should not desire to fight the enemy, and remain desirous of the peace and security of God. If however, contrary to your desire, you are compelled to fight an enemy then demonstrate steadfastness.”
[Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Jihād Was-Siyar, Bābu Kānan-Nabiyyusa Idhā Lam Yuqātil Awwalan- Nahār….., Ḥadīth No. 2966 * Ṣaḥīḥu Muslim, Kitābul-Jihād Was-Siyar, Bābu Karāhati Tamannī Liqā’il-‘Aduwwi….., Ḥadīth No. 4542 * Sunanu Abī Dāwūd, Kitābul-Jihād, Bābu Fī Karāhati Tamannī Liqā’il-‘Aduwwi, Ḥadīth No. 2631]
This clearly substantiates that despite the fact that an announcement of war had been made by the disbelievers, the Holy Prophetsa had accepted their challenge and that war had begun, the Muslims were still ordered not to desire fighting even in the sub-conflicts of this war. Albeit, if they were confronted by the enemy, then they should fight valiantly.
Then it is narrated:
ُسُ ئِلَ رَسُ وْلُ اللّٰهِ صَ لَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَسَ لَّمَ عَنِ الرَّجُ لِ یُقَاتِلُ شُ جَ اعَةً وَیُقَاتِلُ حَ مِیَّةً وَیُقَاتِل
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Section: II – Commencement of Jihad by the Sword and Fundamental Discussion on Jihād | Navigation: « Previous: [Holy Qur’an as the Most Authentic Historical Evidence] | Next: [Some Fundamental Narrations Relevant to Jihad by the Sword] »