Underlying Meaning of Jihad in Islam
The word “Jihad” has a comprehensive meaning. The literal meaning of this word is “struggle.” In general terms, it means a continuous struggle for reform and a fight against unjust activities. Such jihad is launched to protect the integrity and sovereignty of the country and establish a just and fair society.
In Islamic terminology, the other meaning of Jihad is the inner struggle of the soul, which one wages against egotistic desires for the sake of attaining inner sanctity and peace of mind. Such Jihad is called ‘Jihad against Nafs’ (a fight against evil desires in one’s heart) which requires struggling continuously and persistently against one’s own inherent vices like passion, desire, lust, greed, vanity, anger, and infatuation, and so on. When one is able to purify one’s own heart from all of these vices, it becomes ‘Jihad-e-Akbar’ (Greatest Jihad).
Allah (SWT) guides those people who try their best to control and purify their ‘Nafs’ (souls) from all types of evils. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “That person is the greatest ‘Mujahid’ (war-hero) who struggles to have control over his Nafs in obedience to Almighty Allah.” (Tirmidhi and Ibn Maza). During the Makkan period, the Prophet (ﷺ) and his followers were fully engaged in Jihad against the ‘Nafs’. These efforts helped them strengthen their Imaan (faith) and develop their Akhlaq (moral character), and attain the highest qualities of patience, perseverance, and restraint in every aspect of life.
The armed-jihad is called ‘Qital’ which has been allowed to protect the country against external aggression and internal insurgency, chaos and anarchy. Islam also allows to take proper actions against breach of treaties and truce of peace treacherously to stop oppressions and repressions on Muslim populations. After Hizrat (Migration) to Madinah when Muslims faced aggression from the enemies of Islam, Allah (SWT) gave them permission to engage in armed Jihad to protect themselves and their newly established Islamic state from internal conspiracy and external hostility.
Muslims in that newly built state were poorly equipped, but the strength of their firm Imaan (faith and conviction) helped them fight back against their enemies. The promised Divine help of Allah (SWT) came when Muslims fought for His just cause. The Jihad in Islam is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the sacred law.
The verses on the above topic are cited below.
وَ جَاهِدُوْا فِی اللّٰهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِہٖ ؕ
“And strive for Allah, as you ought to strive for Him……” (22:78)
وَ الَّذِیْنَ جَاهَدُوْا فِیْنَا لَنَہْدِیَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ؕ وَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِیْنَ
“As for those who strive for Us – We will guide them in Our ways. Allah is with the doers of good. (29:69)
یُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَالْیَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ وَیَاْمُرُوْنَ بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ وَیَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَیُسَارِعُوْنَ فِی الْخَیْرٰتِ ؕ وَاُولٰٓئِكَ مِنَ الصّٰلِحِیْنَ
“They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and advocate righteousness and forbid evil, and are quick to do good deeds. These are among the righteous.” (3:114)
یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوا اصْبِرُوْا وَصَابِرُوْا وَرَابِطُوْا وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ لَعَلَّکُمْ تُفْلِحُوْنَ
“O Believers! Be patient, and strive in patience, and be united, and revere Allah, so that you may thrive.” (3:200)
وَ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا بَعْضُهُمْ اَوْلِیَآءُ بَعْضٍ ؕ اِلَّا تَفْعَلُوْهُ تَکُنْ فِتْنَۃٌ فِی الْاَرْضِ وَفَسَادٌ كَبِیْرٌ
“As for those who disbelieve, they are allies of one another. Unless you do so (support each other against wrongdoers), there will be turmoil and wide spread corruption in the earth.” (8:73)
مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسًۢا بِغَیْرِ نَفْسٍ اَوْ فَسَادٍ فِی الْاَرْضِ فَكَاَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِیْعًا ؕ وَمَنْ اَحْیَاهَا فَكَاَنَّمَاۤ اَحْیَا النَّاسَ جَمِیْعًا ؕ
“…… whoever kills a person – except as a punishment for murder or for spreading corruption on earth – it is as if he killed the whole of mankind; and whoever saves a human life, it is as if he saved the whole of mankind.” (5:32)
وَ الْفِتْنَۃُ اَکْبَرُ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ ؕ
“Persecution is more heinous than fighting.” (2:217).
وَ اِذَا قِیْلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوْا فِی الْاَرْضِ ۙ قَالُوْۤا اِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُوْنَ اَلَاۤ اِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْمُفْسِدُوْنَ وَلٰكِنْ لَّا یَشْعُرُوْنَ
“And when it is said to them, ‘Do not make mischief on earth,’ they say, ‘We are only reformers.’ In fact, they are the troublemakers, but they are not aware.” (2:11 – 12)
لَا اِكْرَاهَ فِى الدِّيْنِ
“Let there be no compulsion in religion …” (2:256)
Islam Denounces War Crime
Committing mass killings, including genocide or ethnic cleansing, is known as “war crime.” A number of war crimes have been committed throughout the modern world. The nuclear bombing in Japan and the Holocaust in Germany are the two deadliest crimes against humanity in the history of mankind. In these days, Muslims in different parts of the world like Palestine, Kashmir, Myanmar, and Uighur are the worst victims. In modern Europe, the barbarous Srebrenica Genocide was committed against Bosnian Muslims by Servia in July 1995. The Palestinian Muslims are constantly undergoing genocide by Israel.
Islam denounces all types of criminalities and persecutions. It is the basic policy of Islam to shun all types of excesses in the battle field. In Islam, it is not permissible to kill those not directly engaged in fighting, like women, children, the elderly, priests, monks, and the handicapped. Islam also does not allow fighting with even laborers or farmers who work for the enemy but are not directly involved in the fighting. Islam also forbids the indiscriminate destruction of crop field, orchards, trees, livestock, and other properties of the enemies.
Basic Principles of Jihad in Islam
Jihad in Islam is always a just war with the aim of self-defense and establishing justice, peace, and security in society. Allah (SWT) referred to Muslims as a “Moderate Nation”. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also discouraged all types of excesses in Jihad. Islam’s basic principles of war are given below.
- Islam preaches its ideology in a peaceful manner. It acknowledges defending one’s faith and ideology as a basic human right and allows legitimate self-defense, but strictly prohibits any type of aggression. (2:190–191)
- Islam allows Jihad to defend human rights when peaceful process is hindered and human rights are violated by coercion and oppression. (4:75–76), (22:39–40)
- Fighting for selfish ends, unjust purposes, or on provocations is prohibited in Islam. (5:8).
- Indiscriminate killing of children, women, older people, priests, and wanton destruction of property and crops during the war have been strictly prohibited in Islam.
- Islam encourages fair treatment of non-combatants and prisoners of war and speaking words of consolation to them. (76:7–10)
- Islam imposes penalty against the killing of innocent civilians.
- Islam prohibits mutilation of enemies’ corpses.
- Islam encourages peace treaties and strictly complies the terms of the covenants/treaties, etc. (4:90)
The following verses of the Qur’an clarify Islamic principles of Jihad:
وَ قَاتِلُوْا فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ الَّذِیْنَ یُقَاتِلُوْنَکُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوْا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا یُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِیْنَ وَاقْتُلُوْهُمْ حَیْثُ ثَقِفْتُمُوْهُمْ وَاَخْرِجُوْهُمْ مِّنْ حَیْثُ اَخْرَجُوْکُمْ وَالْفِتْنَۃُ اَشَدُّ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ ۚ وَلَا تُقٰتِلُوْهُمْ عِنْدَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ حَتّٰی یُقٰتِلُوْکُمْ فِیْهِ ۚ فَاِنْ قٰتَلُوْکُمْ فَاقْتُلُوْهُمْ ؕ كَذٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ
“Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors. And slay them wherever you catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for commotion and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.” (2:190 – 191)
وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَاٰمَنَ مَنْ فِی الْاَرْضِ کُلُّهُمْ جَمِیْعًا ؕ اَفَاَنْتَ تُکْرِهُ النَّاسَ حَتّٰی یَکُوْنُوْا مُؤْمِنِیْنَ
“If it had been your Lord’s will, all people on earth would have believed in Him. Will you then compel mankind, against their will, to believe?” (10:99).
لَا یُؤَاخِذُکُمُ اللّٰهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِیْۤ اَیْمَانِکُمْ وَلٰكِنْ یُّؤَاخِذُکُمْ بِمَا عَقَّدْتُّمُ الْاَیْمَانَ ۚ فَكَفَّارَتُہٗۤ اِطْعَامُ عَشَرَۃِ مَسٰكِیْنَ مِنْ اَوْسَطِ مَا تُطْعِمُوْنَ اَهْلِیْکُمْ اَوْ كِسْوَتُهُمْ اَوْ تَحْرِیْرُ رَقَبَۃٍ ؕ فَمَنْ لَّمْ یَجِدْ فَصِیَامُ ثَلٰثَۃِ اَیَّامٍ ؕ ذٰلِكَ كَفَّارَۃُ اَیْمَانِکُمْ اِذَا حَلَفْتُمْ ؕ وَاحْفَظُوْۤا اَیْمَانَکُمْ ؕ كَذٰلِكَ یُبَیِّنُ اللّٰهُ لَکُمْ اٰیٰتِہٖ لَعَلَّکُمْ تَشْکُرُوْنَ
“O Believers! Be upright to Allah, bearing testimony with justice; and let not the hatred of a community provoke you to be unjust. Be just! for that is nearer to Taqwa (righteousness); and fear Allah. Allah is informed of what you do. Allah has promised those who believe and work righteousness: they will have forgiveness and a great reward.” (5:8).
یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا کُوْنُوْا قَوّٰمِیْنَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلّٰهِ وَلَوْ عَلٰۤی اَنْفُسِکُمْ اَوِ الْوَالِدَیْنِ وَالْاَقْرَبِیْنَ ۚ اِنْ یَّکُنْ غَنِیًّا اَوْ فَقِیْرًا فَاللّٰهُ اَوْلٰی بِهِمَا ۟ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا الْهَوٰۤی اَنْ تَعْدِلُوْا ۚ وَاِنْ تَلْوٗۤا اَوْ تُعْرِضُوْا فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ خَبِیْرًا
“O Believers! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it is against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin – either rich or poor, Allah is a better Protector to both (than you). So, follow not your lusts, lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witnesses or bypass it, verily, Allah is ever well aware of what you do.” (4:135)
وَ مَا لَکُمْ لَا تُقَاتِلُوْنَ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ وَالْمُسْتَضْعَفِیْنَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَآءِ وَالْوِلْدَانِ الَّذِیْنَ یَقُوْلُوْنَ رَبَّنَاۤ اَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هٰذِهِ الْقَرْیَۃِ الظَّالِمِ اَهْلُهَا ۚ وَاجْعَلْ لَّنَا مِنْ لَّدُنْكَ وَلِیًّا ۚۙ وَّاجْعَلْ لَّنَا مِنْ لَّدُنْكَ نَصِیْرًا اَلَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا یُقَاتِلُوْنَ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ ۚ وَالَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا یُقَاتِلُوْنَ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ الطَّاغُوْتِ فَقَاتِلُوْۤا اَوْلِیَآءَ الشَّیْطٰنِ ۚ اِنَّ كَیْدَ الشَّیْطٰنِ كَانَ ضَعِیْفًا
“And why should you not fight in the cause of Allah and in support of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? – Men, women, and children, whose cry is: ‘Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from you one (leader) who will protect; and raise for us from you one who will help!’ Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who reject Faith fight in the cause of Evil force: So, fight you against the friends of Satan: frail indeed is the conspiracy of Satan.” (4:75 – 76)
Jihad fi Sabilillah
Jihad Fi Sabilillah (Fight for the Just Cause of Allah) is Fard-e-Kefaya (a general obligatory Ibadah). The key goal of Jihad is to defend Islam and struggle to establish the Deen (religion) of Allah in a just and peaceful manner. The wide-range meaning of Jihad includes all types of striving, endeavor, effort, labor, and struggle in the path of Allah (SWT) to one’s optimum capacity in terms of physical, intellectual, material, and financial efforts. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said. “He who fights so that Allah’s word is exalted is fighting in the cause of Allah the Exalted,” (Sahih Bukhari: Hadith No. 123, Grade: Sahih).
The verses related to this topic are given below:
یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا قَاتِلُوا الَّذِیْنَ یَلُوْنَکُمْ مِّنَ الْکُفَّارِ وَلْیَجِدُوْا فِیْکُمْ غِلْظَۃً ؕ وَاعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِیْنَ
“O Believers! Fight those of the disbelievers who attack you, and let them feel strictness in you, and know that Allah is with the righteous.” (9:123)
اُذِنَ لِلَّذِیْنَ یُقٰتَلُوْنَ بِاَنَّهُمْ ظُلِمُوْا ؕ وَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلٰی نَصْرِهِمْ لَقَدِیْرُۨ الَّذِیْنَ اُخْرِجُوْا مِنْ دِیَارِهِمْ بِغَیْرِ حَقٍّ اِلَّاۤ اَنْ یَّقُوْلُوْا رَبُّنَا اللّٰهُ ؕ وَلَوْ لَا دَفْعُ اللّٰهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لَّهُدِّمَتْ صَوَامِعُ وَبِیَعٌ وَصَلَوٰتٌ وَمَسٰجِدُ یُذْكَرُ فِیْهَا اسْمُ اللّٰهِ كَثِیْرًا ؕ وَلَیَنْصُرَنَّ اللّٰهُ مَنْ یَّنْصُرُہٗ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَقَوِیٌّ عَزِیْزٌ
“Permission (to fight back) is given to those (Muslims) who are under aggression, because they have been oppressed; – and verily, Allah is most powerful for their help; – (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes merely for saying, ‘Our Lord is Allah’. Did Allah not check one group of people by means of another, surely monasteries, churches, synagogues would have been destroyed as well as mosques in which Allah’s name is remembered abundantly. Allah will certainly assist those who assist His (cause); – for verily Allah is full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).” (22:39 – 40)
وَ قَاتِلُوْا فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ وَاعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ سَمِیْعٌ عَلِیْمٌ
“Then fight in the cause of Allah and know that Allah Hears and Knows all things.” (2:244)
فَقَاتِلْ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ ۚ لَا تُكَلَّفُ اِلَّا نَفْسَكَ وَحَرِّضِ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ ۚ عَسَی اللّٰهُ اَنْ یَّکُفَّ بَاْسَ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا ؕ وَاللّٰهُ اَشَدُّ بَاْسًا وَاَشَدُّ تَنْكِیْلًا
“(O Prophet) Then continue fight in Allah’s cause – you are responsible only for yourself – and encourage the believers. It may be that Allah will soon weaken the fury of the Unbelievers; for Allah is the strongest in might and in punishment.” (4:84)
اِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا بِاللّٰهِ وَرَسُوْلِہٖ ثُمَّ لَمْ یَرْتَابُوْا وَجٰهَدُوْا بِاَمْوَالِهِمْ وَاَنْفُسِهِمْ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ ؕ اُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الصّٰدِقُوْنَ
“Only those are Believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and then have not doubted, but have striven with their belongings and their persons in the Cause of Allah. Such are the sincere ones …..” (49:15)
وَ قَاتِلُوْهُمْ حَتّٰی لَا تَکُوْنَ فِتْنَۃٌ وَیَکُوْنَ الدِّیْنُ کُلُّہٗ لِلّٰهِ ۚ فَاِنِ انْتَهَوْا فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ بِمَا یَعْمَلُوْنَ بَصِیْرٌ وَ اِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَاعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ مَوْلٰىکُمْ ؕ نِعْمَ الْمَوْلٰی وَنِعْمَ النَّصِیْرُ
“And continue fighting against them till tumult or oppression is over, and there prevails justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah is watchful over what they do. If they refuse, be sure that Allah is your Protector – the best to protect and the best to help.” (8:39 – 40)
کُتِبَ عَلَیْکُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ کُرْہٌ لَّکُمْ ۚ وَعَسٰۤی اَنْ تَکْرَهُوْا شَیْئًا وَهُوَ خَیْرٌ لَّکُمْ ۚ وَعَسٰۤی اَنْ تُحِبُّوْا شَیْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّکُمْ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ یَعْلَمُ وَاَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ یَسْـَٔلُوْنَكَ عَنِ الشَّہْرِ الْحَرَامِ قِتَالٍ فِیْهِ ؕ قُلْ قِتَالٌ فِیْهِ كَبِیْرٌ ؕ وَصَدٌّ عَنْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ وَکُفْرٌۢ بِہٖ وَالْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ ٭ وَ اِخْرَاجُ اَهْلِہٖ مِنْهُ اَکْبَرُ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ ۚ وَ الْفِتْنَۃُ اَکْبَرُ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ ؕ وَلَا یَزَالُوْنَ یُقَاتِلُوْنَکُمْ حَتّٰی یَرُدُّوْکُمْ عَنْ دِیْنِکُمْ اِنِ اسْتَطَاعُوْا ؕ وَمَنْ یَّرْتَدِدْ مِنْکُمْ عَنْ دِیْنِہٖ فَیَمُتْ وَهُوَ كَافِرٌ فَاُولٰٓئِكَ حَبِطَتْ اَعْمَالُهُمْ فِی الدُّنْیَا وَالْاٰخِرَۃِ ۚ وَاُولٰٓئِكَ اَصْحٰبُ النَّارِ ۚ هُمْ فِیْهَا خٰلِدُوْنَ اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَالَّذِیْنَ هَاجَرُوْا وَجٰهَدُوْا فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ ۙ اُولٰٓئِكَ یَرْجُوْنَ رَحْمَتَ اللّٰهِ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِیْمٌ
“Fighting is prescribed for you, and you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you know not. They ask you concerning fighting in the Prohibited Month. Say: ‘Fighting therein is a grave (offence); but graver is it in the sight of Allah to prevent access to the path of Allah, to deny Him, to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, and drive out its members.’ Commotion and oppression are worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn you back from your faith if they can. And if any of you turn back from their faith and die in unbelief, their works will bear no fruit in this life and in the Hereafter; they will be companions of the Fire and will abide therein. Those who believed and those who suffered exile and fought (and strove and struggled) in the path of Allah, – they have the hope of the Mercy of Allah. And Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (2:216 – 218)
وَ لَا یُنْفِقُوْنَ نَفَقَۃً صَغِیْرَۃً وَلَا كَبِیْرَۃً وَلَا یَقْطَعُوْنَ وَادِیًا اِلَّا کُتِبَ لَهُمْ لِیَجْزِیَهُمُ اللّٰهُ اَحْسَنَ مَا كَانُوْا یَعْمَلُوْنَ
“Each and every amount – small or great, they spend in the path of Allah, and every valley they cross will be inscribed to their credit: that Allah may requite their deed with the best (possible rewards).” (9:121)
اَلَمْ تَرَ اِلَی الَّذِیْنَ قِیْلَ لَهُمْ کُفُّوْۤا اَیْدِیَکُمْ وَاَقِیْمُوا الصَّلٰوۃَ وَاٰتُوا الزَّکٰوۃَ ۚ فَلَمَّا کُتِبَ عَلَیْهِمُ الْقِتَالُ اِذَا فَرِیْقٌ مِّنْهُمْ یَخْشَوْنَ النَّاسَ كَخَشْیَۃِ اللّٰهِ اَوْ اَشَدَّ خَشْیَۃً ۚ وَقَالُوْا رَبَّنَا لِمَ كَتَبْتَ عَلَیْنَا الْقِتَالَ ۚ لَوْ لَاۤ اَخَّرْتَنَاۤ اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ قَرِیْبٍ ؕ قُلْ مَتَاعُ الدُّنْیَا قَلِیْلٌ ۚ وَالْاٰخِرَۃُ خَیْرٌ لِّمَنِ اتَّقٰی ۟ وَلَا تُظْلَمُوْنَ فَتِیْلًا اَیْنَ مَا تَکُوْنُوْا یُدْرِکْکُّمُ الْمَوْتُ وَلَوْ کُنْتُمْ فِیْ بُرُوْجٍ مُّشَیَّدَۃٍ ؕ وَاِنْ تُصِبْهُمْ حَسَنَۃٌ یَّقُوْلُوْا هٰذِہٖ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللّٰهِ ۚ وَاِنْ تُصِبْهُمْ سَیِّئَۃٌ یَّقُوْلُوْا هٰذِہٖ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ ؕ قُلْ کُلٌّ مِّنْ عِنْدِ اللّٰهِ ؕ فَمَالِ هٰۤؤُلَآءِ الْقَوْمِ لَا یَكَادُوْنَ یَفْقَهُوْنَ حَدِیْثًا
“Have you not seen those who were told to restrain their hands (from fight) but establish Salat (regular prayers) and give Zakat? Then when (at last) the order for fighting was issued to them, see! suddenly a section of them feared enemies as – or even more than – they should have feared Allah. They said: ‘Our Lord! why have You ordered us to fight? Would You not grant us respite for a while?’ Say to them: ‘Comfort of this world is short: Hereafter is the best for those who have Taqwa (God-fearing): ‘Never will you be treated unjustly even to the extent of the string of a date seed! Wherever you are, death will find you out, even if you are in towers built up strong and high!’ If some good befalls them, they say, ‘This is from Allah.; but if any evil befalls them, they say, “This is from you.’ (O Prophet). Say: ‘All things are from Allah.’ But what is the matter with these people, that they do not seem to understand a single fact?” (4:77 – 78)
یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اِذَا لَقِیْتُمْ فِئَۃً فَاثْبُتُوْا وَاذْکُرُوا اللّٰهَ كَثِیْرًا لَّعَلَّکُمْ تُفْلِحُوْنَ وَاَطِیْعُوا اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوْلَہٗ وَلَا تَنَازَعُوْا فَتَفْشَلُوْا وَتَذْهَبَ رِیْحُکُمْ وَاصْبِرُوْا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَ الصّٰبِرِیْنَ وَلَا تَکُوْنُوْا كَالَّذِیْنَ خَرَجُوْا مِنْ دِیَارِهِمْ بَطَرًا وَرِئَآءَ النَّاسِ وَیَصُدُّوْنَ عَنْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ بِمَا یَعْمَلُوْنَ مُحِیْطٌ
“O Believers! When you encounter with (enemy) force, be firm, and call Allah in remembrance much (and often); that you may succeed: And obey Allah and His Messenger. and do not fall into mutual disputes, lest you lose heart and your power depart; and be patient and persevering: For Allah is with those who patiently persevere: And be not like those who came out from their homes arrogantly and to show people (for show off), and to hinder (men) from the path of Allah. For Allah surround all that they do.” (8:45 – 47)
قُلْ اِنْ كَانَ اٰبَآؤُکُمْ وَاَبْنَآؤُکُمْ وَاِخْوَانُکُمْ وَاَزْوَاجُکُمْ وَعَشِیْرَتُکُمْ وَاَمْوَالُۨ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوْهَا وَتِجَارَۃٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسٰكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَاۤ اَحَبَّ اِلَیْکُمْ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ وَرَسُوْلِہٖ وَجِهَادٍ فِیْ سَبِیْلِہٖ فَتَرَبَّصُوْا حَتّٰی یَاْتِیَ اللّٰهُ بِاَمْرِہٖ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ لَا یَہْدِی الْقَوْمَ الْفٰسِقِیْنَ
“Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your spouses, or your kindred; the wealth that you have gained; the business in which you fear a loss: or the dwellings which you love much – are all valued to you more than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause; – then wait until for Allah’s decision (punishment) to come: and Allah does not guide the sinners.” (9:24)
یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اِذَا لَقِیْتُمُ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا زَحْفًا فَلَا تُوَلُّوْهُمُ الْاَدْبَارَ وَمَنْ یُّوَلِّهِمْ یَوْمَئِذٍ دُبُرَہٗۤ اِلَّا مُتَحَرِّفًا لِّقِتَالٍ اَوْ مُتَحَیِّزًا اِلٰی فِئَۃٍ فَقَدْ بَآءَ بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ وَمَاْوٰىهُ جَهَنَّمُ ؕ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِیْرُ
“O Believers! when you meet the unbelievers in battle, never turn your backs to them. If any do turn his back to them on such a day – unless it be in a strategy of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own) – he draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell, – an evil refuge (indeed)!” (8:15 – 16)
یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا خُذُوْا حِذْرَکُمْ فَانْفِرُوْا ثُبَاتٍ اَوِ انْفِرُوْا جَمِیْعًا وَاِنَّ مِنْکُمْ لَمَنْ لَّیُبَطِّئَنَّ ۚ فَاِنْ اَصَابَتْکُمْ مُّصِیْبَۃٌ قَالَ قَدْ اَنْعَمَ اللّٰهُ عَلَیَّ اِذْ لَمْ اَکُنْ مَّعَهُمْ شَهِیْدًا وَلَئِنْ اَصَابَکُمْ فَضْلٌ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ لَیَقُوْلَنَّ كَاَنْ لَّمْ تَکُنْۢ بَیْنَکُمْ وَبَیْنَہٗ مَوَدَّۃٌ یّٰلَیْتَنِیْ کُنْتُ مَعَهُمْ فَاَفُوْزَ فَوْزًا عَظِیْمًا فَلْیُقَاتِلْ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ الَّذِیْنَ یَشْرُوْنَ الْحَیٰوۃَ الدُّنْیَا بِالْاٰخِرَۃِ ؕ وَمَنْ یُّقَاتِلْ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ فَیُقْتَلْ اَوْ یَغْلِبْ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِیْهِ اَجْرًا عَظِیْمًا
“O you not who believe! Take your precautions, and either go forth in groups or go forth all together. There are some people certainly among you, who would stay behind: If a misfortune befalls you, they say: ‘(Allah) did favor us that we were not present among them.’ But if good fortune comes to you from Allah, they would be sure to say – as if there had never been Ties of affection between you and them – ‘Oh! I wish I had been with them; a fine thing should I then have made of it!’ Let those fight in the cause of Allah Who sell the life of this world for the hereafter. Whoever fights in the cause of Allah, – whether he is killed or gets victory – soon shall We give him a reward of great (value).” (4:71 – 74)
اِنْفِرُوْا خِفَافًا وَّ ثِقَالًا وَّ جَاهِدُوْا بِاَمْوَالِکُمْ وَ اَنْفُسِکُمْ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ ؕ ذٰلِکُمْ خَیْرٌ لَّکُمْ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُوْنَ
“Go you forth, (whether equipped) lightly or heavily, and strive and struggle, with your goods and your persons, in the cause of Allah. That is best for you, if you only knew.” (9:41)
یٰۤاَیُّهَا النَّبِیُّ جَاهِدِ الْکُفَّارَ وَالْمُنٰفِقِیْنَ وَاغْلُظْ عَلَیْهِمْ ؕ وَمَاْوٰىهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ؕ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِیْرُ
“O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites, and be stern against them. Their abode is Hell, – an evil refuge indeed.” (9:73, 66:9)
اَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ اَنْ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّۃَ وَلَمَّا یَعْلَمِ اللّٰهُ الَّذِیْنَ جٰهَدُوْا مِنْکُمْ وَیَعْلَمَ الصّٰبِرِیْنَ
“Or do you expect to enter Paradise, before Allah has not yet known whom among you strived, and who are steadfast?” (3:142)
قَاتِلُوا الَّذِیْنَ لَا یُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَ لَا بِالْیَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ وَلَا یُحَرِّمُوْنَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللّٰهُ وَ رَسُوْلُہٗ وَلَا یَدِیْنُوْنَ دِیْنَ الْحَقِّ مِنَ الَّذِیْنَ اُوْتُوا الْكِتٰبَ حَتّٰی یُعْطُوا الْجِزْیَۃَ عَنْ یَّدٍ وَّهُمْ صٰغِرُوْنَ
“Fight those People of the Book who do not believe in Allah nor the Last Day, nor accept as forbidden which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, until they pay the Jizya with their own hands being submissive.” (9:29)
لَا یَسْتَوِی الْقٰعِدُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ غَیْرُ اُوْلِی الضَّرَرِ وَالْمُجٰهِدُوْنَ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ بِاَمْوَالِهِمْ وَاَنْفُسِهِمْ ؕ فَضَّلَ اللّٰهُ الْمُجٰهِدِیْنَ بِاَمْوَالِهِمْ وَاَنْفُسِهِمْ عَلَی الْقٰعِدِیْنَ دَرَجَۃً ؕ وَکُلًّا وَّعَدَ اللّٰهُ الْحُسْنٰی ؕ وَفَضَّلَ اللّٰهُ الْمُجٰهِدِیْنَ عَلَی الْقٰعِدِیْنَ اَجْرًا عَظِیْمًا دَرَجٰتٍ مِّنْهُ وَمَغْفِرَۃً وَرَحْمَۃً ؕ وَكَانَ اللّٰهُ غَفُوْرًا رَّحِیْمًا
“Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) without any excuse, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah has granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Allah has promised good for all (believers): But those who strive and fight, Allah has granted them by a special reward over those who sit (at home), – (these are) prestigious Ranks, Forgiveness and Mercy specially bestowed by Him. For Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (4:95 – 96)
وَاَعِدُّوْا لَهُمْ مَّا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِّنْ قُوَّۃٍ وَمِنْ رِّبَاطِ الْخَیْلِ تُرْهِبُوْنَ بِہٖ عَدُوَّ اللّٰهِ وَعَدُوَّکُمْ وَاٰخَرِیْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِهِمْ ۚ لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَهُمْ ۚ اَللّٰهُ یَعْلَمُهُمْ ؕ وَمَا تُنْفِقُوْا مِنْ شَیْءٍ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ یُوَفَّ اِلَیْکُمْ وَ اَنْتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُوْنَ
“And prepare against them whatever weaponries you can muster, and all the cavalry you can mobilize, to frighten thereby Allah’s enemies and your enemies, and others besides them whom you do not know, but Allah knows them. Whatever you spend in Allah’s way will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be wronged.” (8:60)
یٰۤاَیُّهَا النَّبِیُّ حَرِّضِ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ عَلَی الْقِتَالِ ؕ اِنْ یَّکُنْ مِّنْکُمْ عِشْرُوْنَ صٰبِرُوْنَ یَغْلِبُوْا مِائَتَیْنِ ۚ وَاِنْ یَّکُنْ مِّنْکُمْ مِّائَۃٌ یَّغْلِبُوْۤا اَلْفًا مِّنَ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا بِاَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا یَفْقَهُوْنَ
“O Prophet! inspire the believers to battle. If there are twenty steadfast among you, they will defeat two hundred; and if there are a hundred of you, they will defeat a thousand of those who disbelieve; because they are a people who do not understand.” (8:65)
یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مَا لَکُمْ اِذَا قِیْلَ لَکُمُ انْفِرُوْا فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ اثَّاقَلْتُمْ اِلَی الْاَرْضِ ؕ اَرَضِیْتُمْ بِالْحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنْیَا مِنَ الْاٰخِرَۃِ ۚ فَمَا مَتَاعُ الْحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنْیَا فِی الْاٰخِرَۃِ اِلَّا قَلِیْلٌ اِلَّا تَنْفِرُوْا یُعَذِّبْکُمْ عَذَابًا اَلِیْمًا ۬ۙ وَیَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْمًا غَیْرَکُمْ وَلَا تَضُرُّوْهُ شَیْئًا ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیْءٍ قَدِیْرٌ
“O Believers! what is the matter with you, that when you are asked to go forth in the cause of Allah, you cling heavily to the earth? Do you prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life, as compared with the Hereafter. Unless you go forth, He will punish you with a grievous penalty, and put others in your place; but you would be able not harm Him in the least. For Allah has power over all things.” (9:38 – 39)
اَلْـٰٔنَ خَفَّفَ اللّٰهُ عَنْکُمْ وَعَلِمَ اَنَّ فِیْکُمْ ضَعْفًا ؕ فَاِنْ یَّکُنْ مِّنْکُمْ مِّائَۃٌ صَابِرَۃٌ یَّغْلِبُوْا مِائَتَیْنِ ۚ وَاِنْ یَّکُنْ مِّنْکُمْ اَلْفٌ یَّغْلِبُوْۤا اَلْفَیْنِ بِاِذْنِ اللّٰهِ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ مَعَ الصّٰبِرِیْنَ
“Allah has now lightened your burden, knowing that there is weakness in you. If there are a hundred steadfast among you, they will defeat two hundred; and if there are a thousand of you, they will defeat two thousand by Allah’s leave. Allah is with the firm-footed and steadfast.” (8:66)
اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَهَاجَرُوْا وَجٰهَدُوْا بِاَمْوَالِهِمْ وَاَنْفُسِهِمْ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰوَوْا وَنَصَرُوْۤا اُولٰٓئِكَ بَعْضُهُمْ اَوْلِیَآءُ بَعْضٍ
“Verily, those who believed, and emigrated, and struggled in Allah’s cause with their possessions and their persons, and those who provided shelter and support – these are allies of one another……. (8:72)
یٰۤاَیُّهَا النَّبِیُّ قُلْ لِّمَنْ فِیْۤ اَیْدِیْکُمْ مِّنَ الْاَسْرٰۤی ۙ اِنْ یَّعْلَمِ اللّٰهُ فِیْ قُلُوْبِکُمْ خَیْرًا یُّؤْتِکُمْ خَیْرًا مِّمَّاۤ اُخِذَ مِنْکُمْ وَ یَغْفِرْ لَکُمْ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِیْمٌ وَاِنْ یُّرِیْدُوْا خِیَانَتَكَ فَقَدْ خَانُوا اللّٰهَ مِنْ قَبْلُ فَاَمْكَنَ مِنْهُمْ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عَلِیْمٌ حَكِیْمٌ
“O Prophet! tell the prisoners held by you, ‘If Allah finds any good in your hearts, He will give you better than what was taken from you, and He will forgive you. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.’ But if they intend to betray you, truly they have already betrayed Allah, and He has overpowered them. Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (8:70 – 71)
وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَهَاجَرُوْا وَجٰهَدُوْا فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰوَوْا وَنَصَرُوْۤا اُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ حَقًّا ؕ لَهُمْ مَّغْفِرَۃٌ وَّرِزْقٌ كَرِیْمٌ وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مِنْۢ بَعْدُ وَهَاجَرُوْا وَجٰهَدُوْا مَعَکُمْ فَاُولٰٓئِكَ مِنْکُمْ ؕ وَاُولُوا الْاَرْحَامِ بَعْضُهُمْ اَوْلٰی بِبَعْضٍ فِیْ كِتٰبِ اللّٰهِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ بِکُلِّ شَیْءٍ عَلِیْمٌ
“And those who believed, and emigrated, and struggled for Allah’s cause, and those who gave shelter and support—these are the true believers. They will have forgiveness and a bountiful provision. As for those who believed afterward and emigrated and struggled with you – these are too included with you. But family members are nearer to one another according to the Book of Allah. Allah is Cognizant of everything.” (8:74 – 75)
وَ لَنَبْلُوَنَّکُمْ حَتّٰی نَعْلَمَ الْمُجٰهِدِیْنَ مِنْکُمْ وَالصّٰبِرِیْنَ ۙ وَنَبْلُوَا۠ اَخْبَارَکُمْ
“We will certainly test you, until We ascertain those among you who strive, and those who are steadfast, and We will assess your condition.” (47:31)
یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا هَلْ اَدُلُّکُمْ عَلٰی تِجَارَۃٍ تُنْجِیْکُمْ مِّنْ عَذَابٍ اَلِیْمٍ تُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَرَسُوْلِہٖ وَتُجَاهِدُوْنَ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ بِاَمْوَالِکُمْ وَاَنْفُسِکُمْ ؕ ذٰلِکُمْ خَیْرٌ لَّکُمْ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُوْنَ
“O Believers! Shall I inform you of a trade that will save you from a painful torment? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in the cause of Allah with your possessions and yourselves. That is best for you, if you only knew.” (61:10 – 11)
Status of Shahid (Martyrs) in Islam
The term “Shahid” signifies those who are killed in Allah’s path for His cause. They are one the most dignified four categories of slaves of Allah (SWT) like Prophets, Siddiques (Truthful), Martyrs and Righteous as mentioned in the Qur’an. According to a Hadith narrated from Nu’aym ibn Hammaar that a man asked the Prophet(ﷺ): Who is the best of martyrs? In reply, he said: “Those who, when they took up their position in the ranks, did not turn their faces away until they were killed. They will be in the dwellings on high in Paradise, and their Lord smiles upon them, and when your Lord smiles upon a slave in this world, he will not be brought to account.” (Ahmad: 21970).
اِنَّ اللّٰهَ اشْتَرٰی مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ اَنْفُسَهُمْ وَاَمْوَالَهُمْ بِاَنَّ لَهُمُ الْجَنَّۃَ ؕ یُقَاتِلُوْنَ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ فَیَقْتُلُوْنَ وَیُقْتَلُوْنَ وَعْدًا عَلَیْهِ حَقًّا فِی التَّوْرٰىۃِ وَالْاِنْجِیْلِ وَالْقُرْاٰنِ ؕ وَمَنْ اَوْفٰی بِعَہْدِہٖ مِنَ اللّٰهِ فَاسْتَبْشِرُوْا بِبَیْعِکُمُ الَّذِیْ بَایَعْتُمْ بِہٖ ؕ وَ ذٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِیْمُ
“Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties in exchange for Paradise. They fight in Allah’s way, and then they kill and get killed. It is a promise binding on Him in the Torah, and the Gospel, and the Qur’an. And who is truer to his promise than Allah? So, rejoice in making such an exchange – that is the supreme triumph.” (9:111)
وَ لَا تَقُوْلُوْا لِمَنْ یُّقْتَلُ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ اَمْوَاتٌ ؕ بَلْ اَحْیَآءٌ وَلٰكِنْ لَّا تَشْعُرُوْنَ
“And do not say of those who are killed in the cause of Allah – ‘Dead’. Rather, they are alive, but you do not perceive.” (2:154)
وَلَئِنْ قُتِلْتُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَوْ مُتُّمْ لَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرَحْمَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ
“And if you are killed in the cause of Allah or die – then forgiveness from Allah and mercy are better than whatever they accumulate (in this world).” (3:157)
وَ لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِیْنَ قُتِلُوْا فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ اَمْوَاتًا ؕ بَلْ اَحْیَآءٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ یُرْزَقُوْنَ فَرِحِیْنَ بِمَاۤ اٰتٰهُمُ اللّٰهُ مِنْ فَضْلِہٖ ۙ وَیَسْتَبْشِرُوْنَ بِالَّذِیْنَ لَمْ یَلْحَقُوْا بِهِمْ مِّنْ خَلْفِهِمْ ۙ اَلَّا خَوْفٌ عَلَیْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ یَحْزَنُوْنَ یَسْتَبْشِرُوْنَ بِنِعْمَۃٍ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ وَفَضْلٍ ۙ وَاَنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا یُضِیْعُ اَجْرَ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ
“Do not consider those killed in the cause of Allah as dead. In fact, they are alive, at their Lord, well provided for. Delighting in what Allah has given them out of His grace, and happy for those who have not yet joined them; that they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve. They rejoice in grace from Allah, and bounty, and that Allah will not waste the reward of the faithful.” (3:169 – 171)
فَالَّذِیْنَ هَاجَرُوْا وَاُخْرِجُوْا مِنْ دِیَارِهِمْ وَاُوْذُوْا فِیْ سَبِیْلِیْ وَقٰتَلُوْا وَقُتِلُوْا لَاُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنْهُمْ سَیِّاٰتِهِمْ وَلَاُدْخِلَنَّهُمْ جَنّٰتٍ تَجْرِیْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ ۚ ثَوَابًا مِّنْ عِنْدِ اللّٰهِ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عِنْدَہٗ حُسْنُ الثَّوَابِ
“……. For those who emigrated, and were expelled from their homes, and were persecuted because of Me, and fought and were killed – I will remit for them their sins and will admit them into gardens beneath which rivers flow—a reward from Allah. With Allah is the ultimate reward.” (3:195)
وَمَنْ یُّطِعِ اللّٰهَ وَالرَّسُوْلَ فَاُولٰٓئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِیْنَ اَنْعَمَ اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِمْ مِّنَ النَّبِیّٖنَ وَالصِّدِّیْقِیْنَ وَالشُّهَدَآءِ وَالصّٰلِحِیْنَ ۚ وَحَسُنَ اُولٰٓئِكَ رَفِیْقًا ذٰلِكَ الْفَضْلُ مِنَ اللّٰهِ ؕ وَكَفٰی بِاللّٰهِ عَلِیْمًا
“Whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger – these are the companions of those whom Allah has blessed – the prophets, and the sincere, and the martyrs, and the upright. Excellent are those as companions. That is the grace from Allah. Allah suffices as Knower.” (4:69 – 70)
وَ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا بِاللّٰهِ وَرُسُلِہٖۤ اُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الصِّدِّیْقُوْنَ قۖ وَالشُّهَدَآءُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ ؕ لَهُمْ اَجْرُهُمْ وَنُوْرُهُمْ ؕ
“Those who believe in Allah and His messengers – these are the sincere, and the martyrs with their Lord; they will have their reward and their light….” (57:19)
وَ الَّذِیْنَ هَاجَرُوْا فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ ثُمَّ قُتِلُوْۤا اَوْ مَاتُوْا لَیَرْزُقَنَّهُمُ اللّٰهُ رِزْقًا حَسَنًا ؕ وَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَهُوَ خَیْرُ الرّٰزِقِیْنَ لَیُدْخِلَنَّهُمْ مُّدْخَلًا یَّرْضَوْنَہٗ ؕ وَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَعَلِیْمٌ حَلِیْمٌ
“Those who leave their homes in the cause of Allah, and are then slain or die, – on them will Allah bestow verily a goodly Provision: Truly Allah is He Who bestows the best provision. Verily He will admit them to a place with which they shall be well-pleased: for Allah is All-Knowing, Most Forbearing.” (22:58 – 59)
لٰكِنِ الرَّسُوْلُ وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مَعَہٗ جٰهَدُوْا بِاَمْوَالِهِمْ وَاَنْفُسِهِمْ ؕ وَاُولٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ الْخَیْرٰتُ ۫ وَاُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَ اَعَدَّ اللّٰهُ لَهُمْ جَنّٰتٍ تَجْرِیْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ خٰلِدِیْنَ فِیْهَا ؕ ذٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِیْمُ
“But the Messenger and those who believe struggled with their possessions and their lives (in the way of Allah) – For these people have deserved the good things – These are the successful ones. Allah has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great success.” (9:88 – 89)
إِنْ يَمْسَسْكُمْ قَرْحٌ فَقَدْ مَسَّ الْقَوْمَ قَرْحٌ مِثْلُهُ ۚ وَتِلْكَ الْأَيَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَيَتَّخِذَ مِنْكُمْ شُهَدَاءَ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ
“If a wound should touch you – there has already touched the [opposing] people a wound similar to it. And these days (of varying conditions) We alternate among the people so that Allah may make evident those who believe and (may) take to Himself from among you martyrs – and Allah does not like the wrongdoers.” (3:140)
Fair Treatment with Prisoners of War
Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) treatment of prisoners of war was unprecedented in human history. Following the Battle of Badr, the first war of Islam, Prophet (ﷺ) gave the war prisoners two options: either to convert to Islam and get their freedom, or to pay ransom for their freedom. Those who were found unable to pay ransom were asked to impart literacy to 10 Muslim residents of Madinah and get freedom in exchange. However, two captives were executed for their earlier crimes in Makkah. The western historian William Muir in his Book ‘The Life of Mahomet’ wrote: “In pursuance of Mahomet’s commands, the citizens of Medina, and such of the Refugees as possessed houses, received the prisoners, and treated them with much consideration. ‘Blessings be on the men of Medina!’ said one of these prisoners in later days; ‘they made us ride, while they themselves walked: they gave us wheat bread to eat when there was little of it, contenting themselves with dates.”
The Qur’an urges kindness to the captive-slaves and recommends their liberation by purchase or manumission. The freeing of captives is recommended both for the expiation of sins and as an act of simple benevolence. However, the Qur’an also permits certain forms of punishment against certain captives, such as those who are deemed to be waging war against Islam. Under the law of Islam, prisoners are to be fed and clothed, either by the Islamic government or by the individual who has custody of the prisoner. The verses on captives and slaves are quoted below.
یُوْفُوْنَ بِالنَّذْرِ وَیَخَافُوْنَ یَوْمًا كَانَ شَرُّہٗ مُسْتَطِیْرًا وَیُطْعِمُوْنَ الطَّعَامَ عَلٰی حُبِّہٖ مِسْكِیْنًا وَ یَتِیْمًا وَ اَسِیْرًا اِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُکُمْ لِوَجْهِ اللّٰهِ لَا نُرِیْدُ مِنْکُمْ جَزَآءً وَلَا شُکُوْرًا اِنَّا نَخَافُ مِنْ رَّبِّنَا یَوْمًا عَبُوْسًا قَمْطَرِیْرًا
“They fulfill their vows and fear a Day whose distress will be widespread. And they feed the poor, and the orphan, and the captive for the love of Him. ‘We only feed you for the sake of Allah. We want from you neither compensation, nor gratitude. We have fear of a frowning grim Day from our Lord’.” (76:7 – 10)
وَاعْبُدُوا اللّٰهَ وَلَا تُشْرِکُوْا بِہٖ شَیْئًا وَبِالْوَالِدَیْنِ اِحْسَانًا وَبِذِی الْقُرْبٰی وَالْیَتٰمٰی وَالْمَسٰكِیْنِ وَالْجَارِ ذِی الْقُرْبٰی وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالْجَنْۢبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِیْلِ ۙ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ اَیْمَانُکُمْ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا یُحِبُّ مَنْ كَانَ مُخْتَالًا فَخُوْرَا
“Worship Allah, and ascribe no partners to Him, and be good to the parents, and the relatives, and the orphans, and the poor, and the neighbor next door, and the distant neighbor, and the close associate, and the traveler, and your slaves. Allah does not love the arrogant showoff.” (4:36)
Spoils of War
The spoils of war obtained on the battlefield from the defeated enemies have been made halal (legal) in Islam. According to verse 8:41, one-fifth of the spoils of war collected during Jihad for Allah’s cause belonged to Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) for distribution among the Prophet’s close relatives, orphans, poor, and wayfarers, and the remainder for distribution among those who took part in the battle. “Allah guarantees that one who strives in His cause will enter Paradise if he dies, or he will return home safely with a reward or spoils,” said the Prophet (ﷺ). (Sahih Bukhari 2635, Grade: Sahih). It is a secondary benefit to just ease the burden of those who sacrifice their lives for the cause of Allah (SWT), but not the prime objective.
Participation in Jihad with the intention of receiving spoils, in addition to serving the cause of Allah, will receive no reward from Allah (SWT). A Hadith reported by Abu Hurairah () on this matter clarified the issue. He asked, “O Messenger of Allah, a man intends to fight for the sake of Allah and he is seeking worldly gains.” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), said: “There is no reward for him.” (Musnad Ahmad 7840, Grade: Sahih). He asked the Prophet (ﷺ) the same question three times and received the same answer each time.
The verses on spoils of war are quoted below:
یَسْـَٔلُوْنَكَ عَنِ الْاَنْفَالِ ؕ قُلِ الْاَنْفَالُ لِلّٰهِ وَ الرَّسُوْلِ
“They ask you about the spoils of war. Say (O Prophet): The spoils are for Allah and the Messenger.” (8:1)
فَکُلُوْا مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلٰلًا طَیِّبًا ۫ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِیْمٌ
“So, consume what you have acquired as spoils of war, legitimate and wholesome; and remain conscious of Allah. Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (8:69)
وَاعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُمْ مِّنْ شَیْءٍ فَاَنَّ لِلّٰهِ خُمُسَہٗ وَلِلرَّسُوْلِ وَلِذِی الْقُرْبٰی وَالْیَتٰمٰی وَالْمَسٰكِیْنِ وَ ابْنِ السَّبِیْلِ ۙ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ اٰمَنْتُمْ بِاللّٰهِ وَمَاۤ اَنْزَلْنَا عَلٰی عَبْدِنَا یَوْمَ الْفُرْقَانِ یَوْمَ الْتَقَی الْجَمْعٰنِ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیْءٍ قَدِیْرٌ
“And know that whatever spoils of war you gain, its one-fifth belongs to Allah, and to the Messenger, and the close relatives, and the orphans, and the poor, and to the wayfarer, provided you believe in Allah and in what We revealed to Our servant on the Day of Distinction (between truth and falsehood), the day when the two armies met (each other on the day of Badr). Allah has Power over everything.” (8:41)
رَسُوْلِہٖ مِنْهُمْ فَمَاۤ اَوْجَفْتُمْ عَلَیْهِ مِنْ خَیْلٍ وَلَا رِكَابٍ وَلٰكِنَّ اللّٰهَ یُسَلِّطُ رُسُلَہٗ عَلٰی مَنْ یَّشَآءُ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیْءٍ قَدِیْرٌ
“Whatever (spoils of war) Allah has bestowed upon His Messenger from them (Banu Nazir tribe); you spurred neither horse nor camel for them, but Allah gives authority to His messengers over whomever He will. Allah is Able to do all things.” (59:6)
Jihad of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ):
After migration to Madinah, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) established an Islamic state there to preach Islam in a peaceful manner. But the Quraysh of Makkah and their allies—the enemies of Islam—became the greatest threat to the newly established state of Madinah and waged war against Islam. In the circumstances, Allah (SWT) gave permission for Jihad to His prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to defend Islam from the aggression of the enemies. The Prophet of Islam fought a number of battles against Islam’s enemies, which are mentioned below:
Battle of Badr
وَاِذْ زَیَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّیْطٰنُ اَعْمَالَهُمْ وَقَالَ لَا غَالِبَ لَکُمُ الْیَوْمَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَاِنِّیْ جَارٌ لَّکُمْ ۚ فَلَمَّا تَرَآءَتِ الْفِئَتٰنِ نَكَصَ عَلٰی عَقِبَیْهِ وَقَالَ اِنِّیْ بَرِیْٓءٌ مِّنْکُمْ اِنِّیْۤ اَرٰی مَا لَا تَرَوْنَ اِنِّیْۤ اَخَافُ اللّٰهَ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ شَدِیْدُ الْعِقَابِ
“And when Satan made their (sinful) acts seem alluring to them, and said: ‘No one among people can defeat you this day, while I am by your side’: But when the two forces came in sight of each other, he (Satan) turned on his heels, and said: ‘Lo! I am no more with you; lo! I see what you do not see; Lo! I fear Allah. for Allah is strict in punishment’.” (8:48)
وَاِذْ یَعِدُکُمُ اللّٰهُ اِحْدَی الطَّآئِفَتَیْنِ اَنَّهَا لَکُمْ وَتَوَدُّوْنَ اَنَّ غَیْرَ ذَاتِ الشَّوْكَۃِ تَکُوْنُ لَکُمْ وَیُرِیْدُ اللّٰهُ اَنْ یُّحِقَّ الْحَقَّ بِكَلِمٰتِہٖ وَیَقْطَعَ دَابِرَ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ لِیُحِقَّ الْحَقَّ وَیُبْطِلَ الْبَاطِلَ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُجْرِمُوْنَ اِذْ تَسْتَغِیْثُوْنَ رَبَّکُمْ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَکُمْ اَنِّیْ مُمِدُّکُمْ بِاَلْفٍ مِّنَ الْمَلٰٓئِكَۃِ مُرْدِفِیْنَ وَمَا جَعَلَهُ اللّٰهُ اِلَّا بُشْرٰی وَلِتَطْمَئِنَّ بِہٖ قُلُوْبُکُمْ ۚ وَمَا النَّصْرُ اِلَّا مِنْ عِنْدِ اللّٰهِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَزِیْزٌ حَكِیْمٌ
“Allah has promised you either of the two groups (one that was unarmed caravan and the other was armed one) – that it would certainly be yours – but you wished the unarmed group to be yours. Allah intends to prove the truth with His words, and to uproot the disbelievers. In order to confirm the truth and nullify falsehood, even though the sinners dislike it. When you appealed to your Lord for help, He answered you, ‘I am reinforcing you with one thousand angels in succession.’ Allah only made it a message of hope, and to set your hearts at rest. Victory comes only from Allah. Allah is Mighty and Wise.” (8:7 – 10)
اِذْ اَنْتُمْ بِالْعُدْوَۃِ الدُّنْیَا وَهُمْ بِالْعُدْوَۃِ الْقُصْوٰی وَالرَّکْبُ اَسْفَلَ مِنْکُمْ ؕ وَلَوْ تَوَاعَدْتُّمْ لَاخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِی الْمِیْعٰدِ ۙ وَلٰكِنْ لِّیَقْضِیَ اللّٰهُ اَمْرًا كَانَ مَفْعُوْلًا ۬ۙ لِّیَہْلِكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ عَنْۢ بَیِّنَۃٍ وَیَحْیٰی مَنْ حَیَّ عَنْۢ بَیِّنَۃٍ ؕ وَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَسَمِیْعٌ عَلِیْمٌ اِذْ یُرِیْكَهُمُ اللّٰهُ فِیْ مَنَامِكَ قَلِیْلًا ؕ وَلَوْ اَرٰىكَهُمْ كَثِیْرًا لَّفَشِلْتُمْ وَلَتَنَازَعْتُمْ فِی الْاَمْرِ وَلٰكِنَّ اللّٰهَ سَلَّمَ ؕ اِنَّہٗ عَلِیْمٌۢ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُوْرِ وَاِذْ یُرِیْکُمُوْهُمْ اِذِ الْتَقَیْتُمْ فِیْۤ اَعْیُنِکُمْ قَلِیْلًا وَیُقَلِّلُکُمْ فِیْۤ اَعْیُنِهِمْ لِیَقْضِیَ اللّٰهُ اَمْرًا كَانَ مَفْعُوْلًا ؕ وَ اِلَی اللّٰهِ تُرْجَعُ الْاُمُوْرُ
“Recall when you were on the nearer side, and they were on the further side, and the caravan was below you (near coastline). Had you planned for this meeting, you would have disagreed on the timing, but Allah was to carry out a predetermined matter, so that those who perish would perish by clear evidence, and those who survive would survive by clear evidence. Allah is Hearing and Knowing. Allah showed you in your dream that their numbers as few. Had He showed you their numbers as many, you would have lost courage, and disputed about the issue. But Allah saved the situation. He knows what the hearts contain. When you encountered, He made them appear as few in your eyes, and made you appear negligible in their eyes, so that Allah may conclude a predetermined matter. All matters revert to Allah.” (8:42 – 44)
قَدْ كَانَ لَکُمْ اٰیَۃٌ فِیْ فِئَتَیْنِ الْتَقَتَا ؕ فِئَۃٌ تُقَاتِلُ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ وَاُخْرٰی كَافِرَۃٌ یَّرَوْنَهُمْ مِّثْلَیْهِمْ رَاْیَ الْعَیْنِ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ یُؤَیِّدُ بِنَصْرِہٖ مَنْ یَّشَآءُ ؕ اِنَّ فِیْ ذٰلِكَ لَعِبْرَۃً لِّاُولِی الْاَبْصَارِ
“Verily, there was a sign for you in the two parties that met (at Badr). One party fighting in the way of Allah, and the other was disbelieving – they saw them with their own eyes twice their number. And Allah supports with His help whomever He wills. In that is a lesson for those with insight.” (3:13)
اِذْ تَقُوْلُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ اَلَنْ یَّکْفِیَکُمْ اَنْ یُّمِدَّکُمْ رَبُّکُمْ بِثَلٰثَۃِ اٰلٰفٍ مِّنَ الْمَلٰٓئِكَۃِ مُنْزَلِیْنَ بَلٰۤی ۙ اِنْ تَصْبِرُوْا وَتَتَّقُوْا وَیَاْتُوْکُمْ مِّنْ فَوْرِهِمْ هٰذَا یُمْدِدْکُمْ رَبُّکُمْ بِخَمْسَۃِ اٰلٰفٍ مِّنَ الْمَلٰٓئِكَۃِ مُسَوِّمِیْنَ وَمَا جَعَلَهُ اللّٰهُ اِلَّا بُشْرٰی لَکُمْ وَلِتَطْمَئِنَّ قُلُوْبُکُمْ بِہٖ ؕ وَمَا النَّصْرُ اِلَّا مِنْ عِنْدِ اللّٰهِ الْعَزِیْزِ الْحَكِیْمِ لِیَقْطَعَ طَرَفًا مِّنَ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْۤا اَوْ یَکْبِتَهُمْ فَیَنْقَلِبُوْا خَآئِبِیْنَ
“When you said to the believers, ‘Is it not enough for you that your Lord has reinforced you with three thousand angels, sent down?’ It is; but if you persevere and remain cautious, and they attack you suddenly, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels, well trained. Allah made it but a message of hope for you, and to reassure your hearts thereby. Victory comes only from Allah the Almighty, the Wise. He thus cuts off a section of those who disbelieved, or subdues them, so they retreat disappointed.” (3:124 – 127)
وَ لَقَدْ نَصَرَکُمُ اللّٰهُ بِبَدْرٍ وَاَنْتُمْ اَذِلَّۃٌ ۚ فَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ لَعَلَّکُمْ تَشْکُرُوْنَ
Allah had given you victory at Badr, when you were weak. So, fear Allah, that you may be thankful.” (3:123)
Battle of Uhud
وَ اِذْ غَدَوْتَ مِنْ اَهْلِكَ تُبَوِّیُٔ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ مَقَاعِدَ لِلْقِتَالِ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ سَمِیْعٌ عَلِیْمٌ اِذْ هَمَّتْ طَّآئِفَتٰنِ مِنْکُمْ اَنْ تَفْشَلَا ۙ وَاللّٰهُ وَلِیُّهُمَا ؕ وَعَلَی اللّٰهِ فَلْیَتَوَكَلِ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ
“Remember when (during the battle of Uhud) you left your home in the morning, to assign battle-positions for the believers. Allah is Hearing and Knowing. When two groups among you almost faltered, while Allah was their Protector. So, in Allah let the believers put their trust.” (3:121 – 122)
اِذْ تُصْعِدُوْنَ وَلَا تَلْوٗنَ عَلٰۤی اَحَدٍ وَالرَّسُوْلُ یَدْعُوْکُمْ فِیْۤ اُخْرٰىکُمْ فَاَثَابَکُمْ غَمًّۢا بِغَمٍّ لِّكَیْلَا تَحْزَنُوْا عَلٰی مَا فَاتَکُمْ وَلَا مَاۤ اَصَابَکُمْ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ خَبِیْرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ
“Remember when you fled, not caring for anyone, even though the Messenger was calling you from your rear. Then He repaid you with sorrow upon sorrow, so that you would not grieve over what you missed, or for what afflicted you. Allah is Informed of what you do.” (3:153)
وَلَقَدْ صَدَقَکُمُ اللّٰهُ وَعْدَہٗۤ اِذْ تَحُسُّوْنَهُمْ بِاِذْنِہٖ ۚ حَتّٰۤی اِذَا فَشِلْتُمْ وَتَنَازَعْتُمْ فِی الْاَمْرِ وَعَصَیْتُمْ مِّنْۢ بَعْدِ مَاۤ اَرٰىکُمْ مَّا تُحِبُّوْنَ ؕ مِنْکُمْ مَّنْ یُّرِیْدُ الدُّنْیَا وَمِنْکُمْ مَّنْ یُّرِیْدُ الْاٰخِرَۃَ ۚ ثُمَّ صَرَفَکُمْ عَنْهُمْ لِیَبْتَلِیَکُمْ ۚ وَلَقَدْ عَفَا عَنْکُمْ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ ذُوْ فَضْلٍ عَلَی الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ
“Allah has fulfilled His promise to you, and you defeated them by His leave; until when you faltered, and disputed the command, and disobeyed after He had shown you what you like. Some of you want this world, and some of you want the next. Then He turned you away from them (enemies), to test you; but He pardoned you. Allah is Gracious towards the believers.” (3:152)
اَوَ لَمَّاۤ اَصَابَتْکُمْ مُّصِیْبَۃٌ قَدْ اَصَبْتُمْ مِّثْلَیْهَا ۙ قُلْتُمْ اَنّٰی هٰذَا ؕ قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِنْدِ اَنْفُسِکُمْ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیْءٍ قَدِیْرٌ وَمَاۤ اَصَابَکُمْ یَوْمَ الْتَقَی الْجَمْعٰنِ فَبِاِذْنِ اللّٰهِ وَلِیَعْلَمَ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ وَلِیَعْلَمَ الَّذِیْنَ نَافَقُوْا ۚۖ وَقِیْلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا قَاتِلُوْا فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ اَوِ ادْفَعُوْا ؕ قَالُوْا لَوْ نَعْلَمُ قِتَالًا لَّا تَّبَعْنٰکُمْ ؕ هُمْ لِلْکُفْرِ یَوْمَئِذٍ اَقْرَبُ مِنْهُمْ لِلْاِیْمَانِ ۚ یَقُوْلُوْنَ بِاَفْوَاهِهِمْ مَّا لَیْسَ فِیْ قُلُوْبِهِمْ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ اَعْلَمُ بِمَا یَکْتُمُوْنَ اَلَّذِیْنَ قَالُوْا لِاِخْوَانِهِمْ وَقَعَدُوْا لَوْ اَطَاعُوْنَا مَا قُتِلُوْا ؕ قُلْ فَادْرَءُوْا عَنْ اَنْفُسِکُمُ الْمَوْتَ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ صٰدِقِیْنَ
“And when a calamity befell you, even after you had inflicted twice as much, you said, ‘How is this?’ Say, “It is from your own selves.” Allah is Able to do all things. What befell you on the day the two armies clashed was with Allah’s permission; that He may know the believers. And that He may know the hypocrites. And it was said to them, ‘Come, fight in the cause of Allah, or contribute.’ They said, ‘If we knew how to fight, we would have followed you.’ On that day they were closer to infidelity than they were to faith. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts; but Allah knows what they hide. Those who stayed behind and said about their brethren, ‘Had they obeyed us, they would not have been killed.’ Say, ‘Then avert death from yourselves, if you are truthful’.” (3:165 – 168)
ثُمَّ اَنْزَلَ عَلَیْکُمْ مِّنْۢ بَعْدِ الْغَمِّ اَمَنَۃً نُّعَاسًا یَّغْشٰی طَآئِفَۃً مِّنْکُمْ ۙ وَطَآئِفَۃٌ قَدْ اَهَمَّتْهُمْ اَنْفُسُهُمْ یَظُنُّوْنَ بِاللّٰهِ غَیْرَ الْحَقِّ ظَنَّ الْجَاهِلِیَّۃِ ؕ یَقُوْلُوْنَ هَلْ لَّنَا مِنَ الْاَمْرِ مِنْ شَیْءٍ ؕ قُلْ اِنَّ الْاَمْرَ کُلَّہٗ لِلّٰهِ ؕ یُخْفُوْنَ فِیْۤ اَنْفُسِهِمْ مَّا لَا یُبْدُوْنَ لَكَ ؕ یَقُوْلُوْنَ لَوْ كَانَ لَنَا مِنَ الْاَمْرِ شَیْءٌ مَّا قُتِلْنَا هٰهُنَا ؕ قُلْ لَّوْ کُنْتُمْ فِیْ بُیُوْتِکُمْ لَبَرَزَ الَّذِیْنَ کُتِبَ عَلَیْهِمُ الْقَتْلُ اِلٰی مَضَاجِعِهِمْ ۚ وَلِیَبْتَلِیَ اللّٰهُ مَا فِیْ صُدُوْرِکُمْ وَلِیُمَحِّصَ مَا فِیْ قُلُوْبِکُمْ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عَلِیْمٌۢ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُوْرِ اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ تَوَلَّوْا مِنْکُمْ یَوْمَ الْتَقَی الْجَمْعٰنِ ۙ اِنَّمَا اسْتَزَلَّهُمُ الشَّیْطٰنُ بِبَعْضِ مَا كَسَبُوْا ۚ وَلَقَدْ عَفَا اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوْرٌ حَلِیْمٌ
“Then after the setback, He sent down serenity upon you. Slumber overcame some of you, while others were worried only for themselves, their thoughts about Allah were untrue like thoughts of ignorance – they said, ‘Is anything up to us?’ Say, ‘Everything is up to Allah.’ They conceal within themselves what they do not reveal to you. And they say, ‘If it was up to us, none of us would have been killed here.’ Say, ‘Even if you Had stayed in your homes, those destined to be killed would have marched into their death beds.’ Allah thus tests what is in your minds and purifies what is in your hearts. Allah knows what the hearts contain. Those of you who turned back on the day when the two armies clashed – it was Satan who caused them to backslide, on account of some actions what they did. But Allah has forgiven them. Allah is Forgiving and Prudent.” (3:154 – 155)
وَ لَا تَهِنُوْا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوْا وَاَنْتُمُ الْاَعْلَوْنَ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ مُّؤْمِنِیْنَ اِنْ یَّمْسَسْکُمْ قَرْحٌ فَقَدْ مَسَّ الْقَوْمَ قَرْحٌ مِّثْلُہٗ ؕ وَتِلْكَ الْاَیَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَیْنَ النَّاسِ ۚ وَلِیَعْلَمَ اللّٰهُ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَیَتَّخِذَ مِنْکُمْ شُهَدَآءَ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ لَا یُحِبُّ الظّٰلِمِیْنَ وَلِیُمَحِّصَ اللّٰهُ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَیَمْحَقَ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ اَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ اَنْ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّۃَ وَلَمَّا یَعْلَمِ اللّٰهُ الَّذِیْنَ جٰهَدُوْا مِنْکُمْ وَیَعْلَمَ الصّٰبِرِیْنَ
“And do not waver, nor feel remorse. You are the superior ones, if you are believers. If a wound afflicts you, a similar wound has afflicted the others. Such days We alternate between the people, that Allah may know those who believe, and take martyrs from among you. Allah does not love the evildoers. So that Allah may prove those who believe and eliminate the disbelievers. Or do you expect you will enter Paradise, before Allah has not yet seen those among you who strive, and before He has not known who are the steadfast?” (3:139 – 142)
اَلَّذِیْنَ اسْتَجَابُوْا لِلّٰهِ وَالرَّسُوْلِ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ مَاۤ اَصَابَهُمُ الْقَرْحُ ؕۛ لِلَّذِیْنَ اَحْسَنُوْا مِنْهُمْ وَاتَّقَوْا اَجْرٌ عَظِیْمٌ اَلَّذِیْنَ قَالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ اِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوْا لَکُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ اِیْمَانًا ٭ۖ وَقَالُوْا حَسْبُنَا اللّٰهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِیْلُ فَانْقَلَبُوْا بِنِعْمَۃٍ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ وَفَضْلٍ لَّمْ یَمْسَسْهُمْ سُوْٓءٌ ۙ وَاتَّبَعُوْا رِضْوَانَ اللّٰهِ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ ذُوْ فَضْلٍ عَظِیْمٍ
“Those who responded to Allah and the Messenger, despite the persecution they had suffered. For the virtuous and the pious among them is a great reward. Those to whom the people have said, ‘The people (enemies) have mobilized against you, so fear them.’ But this only increased them in faith, and they said, ‘Allah is enough for us; He is the Excellent Protector.’ So, they came back with grace from Allah, and bounty, and no harm having touched them. They pursued what pleases Allah. Indeed, Allah possesses immense grace.” (3:172 – 174)
Battle with Banu Nazir Tribe
هُوَ الَّذِیْۤ اَخْرَجَ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا مِنْ اَهْلِ الْكِتٰبِ مِنْ دِیَارِهِمْ لِاَوَّلِ الْحَشْرِ ؕؔ مَا ظَنَنْتُمْ اَنْ یَّخْرُجُوْا وَظَنُّوْۤا اَنَّهُمْ مَّانِعَتُهُمْ حُصُوْنُهُمْ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ فَاَتٰىهُمُ اللّٰهُ مِنْ حَیْثُ لَمْ یَحْتَسِبُوْاق وَقَذَفَ فِیْ قُلُوْبِهِمُ الرُّعْبَ یُخْرِبُوْنَ بُیُوْتَهُمْ بِاَیْدِیْهِمْ وَاَیْدِی الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ ق فَاعْتَبِرُوْا یٰۤاُولِی الْاَبْصَارِ وَلَوْ لَاۤ اَنْ كَتَبَ اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِمُ الْجَلَآءَ لَعَذَّبَهُمْ فِی الدُّنْیَا ؕ وَلَهُمْ فِی الْاٰخِرَۃِ عَذَابُ النَّارِ ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّهُمْ شَآقُّوا اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوْلَہٗ ۚ وَمَنْ یُّشَآقِّ اللّٰهَ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ شَدِیْدُ الْعِقَابِ مَا قَطَعْتُمْ مِّنْ لِّیْنَۃٍ اَوْ تَرَکْتُمُوْهَا قَآئِمَۃً عَلٰۤی اُصُوْلِهَا فَبِاِذْنِ اللّٰهِ وَلِیُخْزِیَ الْفٰسِقِیْنَ وَمَاۤ اَفَآءَ اللّٰهُ عَلٰی
“It is He who evicted those who disbelieved among the People of the Book from their homes at the first mobilization. You did not think they would leave, and they thought their fortresses would protect them from Allah. But Allah came at them from where they never expected and threw terror into their hearts. They wrecked their homes with their own hands, and by the hands of the believers. Therefore, take a lesson, O you who have insight. Had Allah not decreed exile for them, He would have punished them in this life. But in the Hereafter, they will have the punishment of the Fire. That is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger. Whoever opposes Allah—Allah is stern in retribution. Whether you cut down a tree, or leave it standing on its trunk, it is by Allah’s will. He will surely disgrace the sinners.” (59:2 – 5)
Battle of Khandak
وَلَمَّا رَاَ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ الْاَحْزَابَ ۙ قَالُوْا هٰذَا مَا وَعَدَنَا اللّٰهُ وَرَسُوْلُہٗ وَصَدَقَ اللّٰهُ وَرَسُوْلُہٗ ۫ وَمَا زَادَهُمْ اِلَّاۤ اِیْمَانًا وَ تَسْلِیْمًا مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوْا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللّٰهَ عَلَیْهِ ۚ فَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ قَضٰی نَحْبَہٗ وَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ یَّنْتَظِرُ ۫ۖ وَمَا بَدَّلُوْا تَبْدِیْلًا
“And when the believers saw the enemy-forces, they said, ‘This is what Allah and His messenger have promised us; and Allah and His messenger have told the truth.’ And it only increased them in faith and submission. Among the believers there are people who are true to their pledge they vow to Allah. Some of them have fulfilled their vows; and some are still waiting, and never wavering.” (33:22 – 23)
لِّیَجْزِیَ اللّٰهُ الصّٰدِقِیْنَ بِصِدْقِهِمْ وَیُعَذِّبَ الْمُنٰفِقِیْنَ اِنْ شَآءَ اَوْ یَتُوْبَ عَلَیْهِمْ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ غَفُوْرًا رَّحِیْمًا وَرَدَّ اللّٰهُ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا بِغَیْظِهِمْ لَمْ یَنَالُوْا خَیْرًا ؕ وَّكَفَی اللّٰهُ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ الْقِتَالَ ؕ وَكَانَ اللّٰهُ قَوِیًّا عَزِیْزًا
“That Allah may reward the truthful for their truthfulness; and punish the hypocrites if He wills, or pardon them. Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Allah repelled the disbelievers in their rage; they gained no advantage. Allah thus suffices for the believers in the combat. Allah is Omnipotent and Mighty.” (33:24 – 25)
یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوا اذْکُرُوْا نِعْمَۃَ اللّٰهِ عَلَیْکُمْ اِذْ جَآءَتْکُمْ جُنُوْدٌ فَاَرْسَلْنَا عَلَیْهِمْ رِیْحًا وَجُنُوْدًا لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا ؕ وَكَانَ اللّٰهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ بَصِیْرًا اِذْ جَآءُوْکُمْ مِّنْ فَوْقِکُمْ وَمِنْ اَسْفَلَ مِنْکُمْ وَاِذْ زَاغَتِ الْاَبْصَارُ وَبَلَغَتِ الْقُلُوْبُ الْحَنَاجِرَ وَتَظُنُّوْنَ بِاللّٰهِ الظُّنُوْنَا هُنَالِكَ ابْتُلِیَ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ وَزُلْزِلُوْا زِلْزَالًا شَدِیْدًا وَاِذْ یَقُوْلُ الْمُنٰفِقُوْنَ وَالَّذِیْنَ فِیْ قُلُوْبِهِمْ مَّرَضٌ مَّا وَعَدَنَا اللّٰهُ وَرَسُوْلُہٗۤ اِلَّا غُرُوْرًا وَاِذْ قَالَتْ طَّآئِفَۃٌ مِّنْهُمْ یٰۤاَهْلَ یَثْرِبَ لَا مُقَامَ لَکُمْ فَارْجِعُوْا ۚ وَیَسْتَاْذِنُ فَرِیْقٌ مِّنْهُمُ النَّبِیَّ یَقُوْلُوْنَ اِنَّ بُیُوْتَنَا عَوْرَۃٌ ؕۛ وَمَا هِیَ بِعَوْرَۃٍ ۚۛ اِنْ یُّرِیْدُوْنَ اِلَّا فِرَارًا وَلَوْ دُخِلَتْ عَلَیْهِمْ مِّنْ اَقْطَارِهَا ثُمَّ سُئِلُوا الْفِتْنَۃَ لَاٰتَوْهَا وَمَا تَلَبَّثُوْا بِهَاۤ اِلَّا یَسِیْرًا وَلَقَدْ كَانُوْا عَاهَدُوا اللّٰهَ مِنْ قَبْلُ لَا یُوَلُّوْنَ الْاَدْبَارَ ؕ وَكَانَ عَہْدُ اللّٰهِ مَسْـُٔوْلًا
“O Believers! Remember Allah’s blessings upon you, when enemy-forces massed against you, and We sent against them a wind, and forces you did not see. Allah is Observant of what you do. When they came upon you, from above you, and from beneath you; and your eyes became puzzled, and the hearts reached the throats, and you fell in doubts about Allah. There and then the believers were tested and were shaken most severely. When the hypocrites and those who had sickness in hearts said, ‘Allah and His Messenger promised us nothing but illusion.’ And when a group of them said, ‘O people of Yathrib, you cannot stand, so retreat.’ And a faction of them asked the Prophet to excuse them, saying, ‘Our homes are exposed (unsecured),’ although they were not exposed. They only wanted to flee. Had it been invaded (by the enemy) from its sides, and they were incited to create discord, they would have done so with little hesitation. Although they had made a pledge to Allah, in the past, that they will not turn their backs. A pledge made with Allah is answerable.” (33:9 – 15)
Battle with Banu Kuraiza
وَاَنْزَلَ الَّذِیْنَ ظَاهَرُوْهُمْ مِّنْ اَهْلِ الْكِتٰبِ مِنْ صَیَاصِیْهِمْ وَقَذَفَ فِیْ قُلُوْبِهِمُ الرُّعْبَ فَرِیْقًا تَقْتُلُوْنَ وَتَاْسِرُوْنَ فَرِیْقًا وَاَوْرَثَکُمْ اَرْضَهُمْ وَدِیَارَهُمْ وَاَمْوَالَهُمْ وَاَرْضًا لَّمْ تَطَـُٔوْهَا ؕ وَكَانَ اللّٰهُ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیْءٍ قَدِیْرًا
“And He brought down those of the People of the Book who backed them (Kafir of Makkah) from their strongholds, and He cast fear into their hearts. You executed some of them, and others you took as captives. And He made you successors to their land, and their homes, and their possessions, and a region you have never stepped on. Allah has power over all things.” (33:26 – 27)
Battle of Hunayen
لَقَدْ نَصَرَکُمُ اللّٰهُ فِیْ مَوَاطِنَ كَثِیْرَۃٍ ۙ وَیَوْمَ حُنَیْنٍ ۙ اِذْ اَعْجَبَتْکُمْ كَثْرَتُکُمْ فَلَمْ تُغْنِ عَنْکُمْ شَیْئًا وَضَاقَتْ عَلَیْکُمُ الْاَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ ثُمَّ وَلَّیْتُمْ مُّدْبِرِیْنَ ثُمَّ اَنْزَلَ اللّٰهُ سَكِیْنَتَہٗ عَلٰی رَسُوْلِہٖ وَعَلَی الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ وَاَنْزَلَ جُنُوْدًا لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا وَعَذَّبَ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا ؕ وَذٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ ثُمَّ یَتُوْبُ اللّٰهُ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ ذٰلِكَ عَلٰی مَنْ یَّشَآءُ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِیْمٌ
“Allah has given you victory in numerous regions; but on the day of Hunayen, your great number impressed you, but it availed you nothing; and the land, as spacious as it was, narrowed for you; and you turned your backs in retreat. Then Allah sent down His serenity upon His Messenger, and upon the believers; and He sent down troops you did not see; and He punished those who disbelieved. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers. Then, after that, Allah will accept repentance of those whomever He wills. Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (9:25 – 27)
Battle of Tabuk
اِنْفِرُوْا خِفَافًا وَثِقَالًا وَجَاهِدُوْا بِاَمْوَالِکُمْ وَاَنْفُسِکُمْ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ ؕ ذٰلِکُمْ خَیْرٌ لَّکُمْ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُوْنَ لَوْ كَانَ عَرَضًا قَرِیْبًا وَسَفَرًا قَاصِدًا لَّاتَّبَعُوْكَ وَلٰكِنْۢ بَعُدَتْ عَلَیْهِمُ الشُّقَّۃُ ؕ وَسَیَحْلِفُوْنَ بِاللّٰهِ لَوِ اسْتَطَعْنَا لَخَرَجْنَا مَعَکُمْ ۚ یُہْلِکُوْنَ اَنْفُسَهُمْ ۚ وَاللّٰهُ یَعْلَمُ اِنَّهُمْ لَکٰذِبُوْنَ عَفَا اللّٰهُ عَنْكَ ۚ لِمَ اَذِنْتَ لَهُمْ حَتّٰی یَتَبَیَّنَ لَكَ الَّذِیْنَ صَدَقُوْا وَتَعْلَمَ الْکٰذِبِیْنَ لَا یَسْتَاْذِنُكَ الَّذِیْنَ یُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَالْیَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ اَنْ یُّجَاهِدُوْا بِاَمْوَالِهِمْ وَ اَنْفُسِهِمْ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عَلِیْمٌۢ بِالْمُتَّقِیْنَ اِنَّمَا یَسْتَاْذِنُكَ الَّذِیْنَ لَا یُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَالْیَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ وَارْتَابَتْ قُلُوْبُهُمْ فَهُمْ فِیْ رَیْبِهِمْ یَتَرَدَّدُوْنَ
“Proceed with light or heavy (staffs & equipment) and strive with your possessions and your lives in the cause of Allah. That is better for you, if you only knew. Had the gain been immediate, and the journey shorter, they would have followed you; but the distance seemed too long for them. Still, they swear by Allah: ‘Had we been able, we would have marched out with you.’ They damn their own souls, and Allah knows that they are lying. May Allah pardon you! Why did you give them permission before it became clear to you who are the truthful ones, and who are the liars? Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day do not ask you for exemption from striving with their possessions and their lives. Allah is fully aware of the righteous. Only those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day ask you for exemption. Their hearts are full of doubts, so they waver in their doubts.” (9:41 – 45)
وَ لَوْ اَرَادُوا الْخُرُوْجَ لَاَعَدُّوْا لَہٗ عُدَّۃً وَلٰكِنْ كَرِهَ اللّٰهُ انْۢبِعَاثَهُمْ فَثَبَّطَهُمْ وَقِیْلَ اقْعُدُوْا مَعَ الْقٰعِدِیْنَ لَوْ خَرَجُوْا فِیْکُمْ مَّا زَادُوْکُمْ اِلَّا خَبَالًا وَلَا۠اَوْضَعُوْا خِلٰلَکُمْ یَبْغُوْنَکُمُ الْفِتْنَۃَ ۚ وَفِیْکُمْ سَمّٰعُوْنَ لَهُمْ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عَلِیْمٌۢ بِالظّٰلِمِیْنَ لَقَدِ ابْتَغَوُا الْفِتْنَۃَ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَقَلَّبُوْا لَكَ الْاُمُوْرَ حَتّٰی جَآءَ الْحَقُّ وَظَهَرَ اَمْرُ اللّٰهِ وَهُمْ کٰرِهُوْنَ
“Had they wanted to mobilize, they would have made preparations for it; but Allah disliked their participation, so he held them back, and it was said, ‘Stay behind with those who stay behind.’ Had they mobilized with you, they would have added only to your difficulties, and they would have spread rumors in your midst, trying to sow discord among you. Some of you are avid listeners to them. Allah is Aware of the wrongdoers. They tried to cause conflict before, and they hatched plots against you, until the truth prevailed, and the command of Allah became evident – despite their dislike.” (9:46 – 48)
فَرِحَ الْمُخَلَّفُوْنَ بِمَقْعَدِهِمْ خِلٰفَ رَسُوْلِ اللّٰهِ وَكَرِهُوْۤا اَنْ یُّجَاهِدُوْا بِاَمْوَالِهِمْ وَاَنْفُسِهِمْ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ وَقَالُوْا لَا تَنْفِرُوْا فِی الْحَرِّ ؕ قُلْ نَارُ جَهَنَّمَ اَشَدُّ حَرًّا ؕ لَوْ كَانُوْا یَفْقَهُوْنَ فَلْیَضْحَکُوْا قَلِیْلًا وَلْیَبْکُوْا كَثِیْرًا ۚ جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَانُوْا یَکْسِبُوْنَ فَاِنْ رَّجَعَكَ اللّٰهُ اِلٰی طَآئِفَۃٍ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسْتَاْذَنُوْكَ لِلْخُرُوْجِ فَقُلْ لَّنْ تَخْرُجُوْا مَعِیَ اَبَدًا وَلَنْ تُقَاتِلُوْا مَعِیَ عَدُوًّا ؕ اِنَّکُمْ رَضِیْتُمْ بِالْقُعُوْدِ اَوَّلَ مَرَّۃٍ فَاقْعُدُوْا مَعَ الْخٰلِفِیْنَ
“Those who stayed behind rejoiced at their staying behind the Messenger of Allah. And they hated to strive with their wealth and their lives in Allah’s way. And they said, ‘Do not venture out in the heat.’ Say, ‘The Fire of Hell is much hotter, if they only understood.’ Let them laugh a little, and weep much – in recompense for the deeds they do. If Allah brings you back to a group of them, and they ask your permission to go out, say, “You will not go out with me, ever, nor will you ever fight an enemy with me. You were content to remain behind the first time, so sit back with those who stay behind.” (9:81 – 83)
لَیْسَ عَلَی الضُّعَفَآءِ وَلَا عَلَی الْمَرْضٰی وَلَا عَلَی الَّذِیْنَ لَا یَجِدُوْنَ مَا یُنْفِقُوْنَ حَرَجٌ اِذَا نَصَحُوْا لِلّٰهِ وَرَسُوْلِہٖ ؕ مَا عَلَی الْمُحْسِنِیْنَ مِنْ سَبِیْلٍ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِیْمٌ وَلَا عَلَی الَّذِیْنَ اِذَا مَاۤ اَتَوْكَ لِتَحْمِلَهُمْ قُلْتَ لَاۤ اَجِدُ مَاۤ اَحْمِلُکُمْ عَلَیْهِ ۪ تَوَلَّوْا وَ اَعْیُنُهُمْ تَفِیْضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ حَزَنًا اَلَّا یَجِدُوْا مَا یُنْفِقُوْنَ
“There is no blame on the weak people, nor on the sick, nor on those who unable to bear expenses, provided they are true to Allah and His Messenger. In no way can the righteous be blamed. Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Nor on those who approach you, wishing to ride with you, and you said, ‘I have nothing to carry you on.’ So, they went away, with their eyes overflowing with tears, sorrowing for not finding the means to spend.” (9:91 – 92)
Battle of Mu’tah
The battle of Mu’tah, which took place in 8 AH (629 AD) in the village of Mu’tah to the east of the Jordan River, was an unequal fight between a small army of 3000 Muslim soldiers and a massive Roman Army of 150,000 forces and their Ghassanid vassals. This huge disparity in military strength was quite favorable for the Romans. But it was a miraculous event that the Muslims fought the battle with the strength of their Imaan (firm belief in Allah) against a gigantic army. They set out for martyrdom and showed their dedication by sacrificing their lives for the cause of Allah, the Almighty. The Muslim army was led by Zayd ibn Harithah () as the first-in-command, followed by Ja’far ibn Abi Talib () as the second-in-command, and Abd Allah ibn Rawahah () as the third-in-command. The small Muslim army was energised by their commander Rawahah’s rousing speech and vowed to fight until death. After the martyrdom of the first three commaders Khalid Ibn Walid () took the commandership of Muslim army. The enemy forces, though powerful with their enormous size, lost a huge number of their soldiers and became demoralized after the first day of fierce combat. On the second day, the Roman Army and their Arab allies remained at a standstill position without launching any further attack. Seeing this, the Muslim army under the strategic commandership of Khalid Ibn Walid () made a safe retreat breaking the cordon of the Roman Army without any obstacle. None of the two armies really won the battle.
It was Allah’s pledge to help Muslims during the trying time:
وَ لَا تَهِنُوْا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوْا وَاَنْتُمُ الْاَعْلَوْنَ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ مُّؤْمِنِیْنَ
“And do not lose courage, nor feel remorse. You will be the triumphant, if you are (true) believers.” (3:139)
Battle of Khayber
The southern front of Arabia calmed down because of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah with the Quraysh of Makkah. But the northern front with the Jews of Khayber still remained a danger point. All of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) efforts to bring the Jews of Khayber into the peace process were futile due to their non-cooperation and treacherous activities. They were boastful of their fighters, strong fortresses, and arms. As a result, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) immediately besieged Khayber and asked the Jews to surrender. But defying the call of surrender they all took shelter in their strongly fortified fortresses and launched their attacks from their strongholds. Muslim army repelled all the attacks of the Jews and entered into their fortresses breaking all barriers. At last, the city of Khayber fell into the hands of the Muslim army.
After 2 years of executing the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, the Quraysh of Makkah broke its terms treacherously. In a swift retaliation, the Prophet (ﷺ) marched ten thousand men to the gates of Makkah. This perplexed the Quraysh leaders, who then surrendered without any resistance. Thus, Muslims captured the city of Makkah peacefully. By granting them general amnesty and clemency, the Prophet (ﷺ) demonstrated his utter generosity to the Quraysh, the most vexing enemies of Islam, by granting them general amnesty and clemency. The following verse was revealed, indicating the conquest of Khayber:
وَ اُخْرٰی تُحِبُّوْنَهَا ؕ نَصْرٌ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ وَفَتْحٌ قَرِیْبٌ ؕ وَ بَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ
“And (Allah will give you) something else that you love – support from Allah, and imminent victory. So, give good news to the believers.” (61:13)
Baiyat- e -Ridwan
In the sixth year of the Hijra era Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) along with 1400 of his followers headed towards Makkah to perform Umrah (Lesser Hajj). This journey was solely intended to make the pilgrimage in a peaceful manner. The pilgrims were unarmed and they did not carry any arms except sheathed swords for self-protection. They brought 70 sacrificial animals with them for that purpose. When reached Hudaybiyyah, a place near Makkah, they stopped there. Though it was an established tradition to allow any unarmed pilgrim to perform Umrah, but the Quraysh leaders became alarmed of Prophet’s pilgrim-caravan and prevented Muslim pilgrims from entering the city by sending their commander Khaled bin Walid with 200 fighters against them. In that situation, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) sent Usman () as his envoy to negotiate with the Quraysh leaders so that they could perform Umrah peacefully.
Although the fighting was strictly prohibited in the sacred month of Hajj, and moreover, Muslim pilgrims were already in ‘Ihram’ – a state of ritual consecration for performing Hajj. But the Quraysh leaders were stubborn to concede, rather they detained Usman (). The delay of his return along with a rumor that was spread about his assassination triggered huge concern and excitement in the Muslim camp. At that critical moment, the Muslims gathered under a tree to decide the future course of action. They took oath in the hand of the Prophet (ﷺ) to fight unto death to take the revenge for the unscrupulous slain of Usman (). This oath is known as ‘Baiyat- e -Ridwan’. However, the news about the killing of Usman () was just a rumor as he came back to the Muslim camp after a short while of ‘Baiyat- e -Ridwan’. The following verses were revealed on that occasion:
لَقَدْ رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ اِذْ یُبَایِعُوْنَكَ تَحْتَ الشَّجَرَۃِ فَعَلِمَ مَا فِیْ قُلُوْبِهِمْ فَاَنْزَلَ السَّكِیْنَۃَ عَلَیْهِمْ وَاَثَابَهُمْ فَتْحًا قَرِیْبًا
“Allah was pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you under the tree. He knew what was in their hearts, and sent down serenity upon them, and rewarded them with an imminent conquest.” (48:18)
اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ یُبَایِعُوْنَكَ اِنَّمَا یُبَایِعُوْنَ اللّٰهَ ؕ یَدُ اللّٰهِ فَوْقَ اَیْدِیْهِمْ ۚ فَمَنْ نَّكَثَ فَاِنَّمَا یَنْکُثُ عَلٰی نَفْسِہٖ ۚ وَمَنْ اَوْفٰی بِمَا عٰهَدَ عَلَیْهُ اللّٰهَ فَسَیُؤْتِیْهِ اَجْرًا عَظِیْمًا
“Those who pledge allegiance to you are pledging allegiance to Allah. The hand of Allah is over their hands. Whoever breaks his pledge breaks it to his own loss. And whoever fulfills his covenant with Allah, He will grant him a great reward.” (48:10)
Truce and Peace Treaty
In Islam, it is a religious obligation to observe trust and covenants when a truce or peace treaty is concluded between warring communities for peaceful coexistence. When treaties are concluded, it becomes obligatory for both sides to fulfill all terms and conditions as agreed upon. In the event of a potential or actual armed conflict, Allah (SWT) instructed Muslims to look for signs that the enemy is open to a political solution or has a desire for peace. In a hadith narrated by Abu Dawood, Al-Nissai Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized the importance of keeping covenants in a treaty, saying, “I do not break a promise in a covenant, and I do not imprison envoys.” In another hadith narrated by Sahih Muslim, he said: “We fulfill the covenant for them, and we seek help from Allah against them (if they betray us).”
The related verses on the above topic are quoted below:
وَ اِنْ جَنَحُوْا لِلسَّلْمِ فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا وَتَوَكَلْ عَلَی اللّٰهِ ؕ اِنَّہٗ هُوَ السَّمِیْعُ الْعَلِیْمُ وَاِنْ یُّرِیْدُوْۤا اَنْ یَّخْدَعُوْكَ فَاِنَّ حَسْبَكَ اللّٰهُ ؕ هُوَ الَّذِیْۤ اَیَّدَكَ بِنَصْرِہٖ وَبِالْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ
“But if the enemy incline towards peace, you (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allah, for He is One Who hears and knows (all things). Should they intend to deceive you, – verily Allah is sufficient to you: He it is Who has strengthened you with His aid and with (the company of) the Believers.” (8:61 – 62)
فَاِنِ انْتَهَوْا فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِیْمٌ وَقٰتِلُوْهُمْ حَتّٰی لَا تَکُوْنَ فِتْنَۃٌ وَیَکُوْنَ الدِّیْنُ لِلّٰهِ ؕ فَاِنِ انْتَهَوْا فَلَا عُدْوَانَ اِلَّا عَلَی الظّٰلِمِیْنَ اَلشَّہْرُ الْحَرَامُ بِالشَّہْرِ الْحَرَامِ وَالْحُرُمٰتُ قِصَاصٌ ؕ فَمَنِ اعْتَدٰی عَلَیْکُمْ فَاعْتَدُوْا عَلَیْهِ بِمِثْلِ مَا اعْتَدٰی عَلَیْکُمْ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَاعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِیْنَ
“But if they cease, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. And fight them on until there is no more commotion or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah. but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression. The prohibited month for the prohibited month, – and so for all things prohibited, – there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, Transgress you likewise against him. But fear Allah and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.” (2:192 – 194)
اَلَّذِیْنَ عٰهَدْتَّ مِنْهُمْ ثُمَّ یَنْقُضُوْنَ عَہْدَهُمْ فِیْ کُلِّ مَرَّۃٍ وَهُمْ لَا یَتَّقُوْنَ فَاِمَّا تَثْقَفَنَّهُمْ فِی الْحَرْبِ فَشَرِّدْ بِهِمْ مَّنْ خَلْفَهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ یَذَّكَرُوْنَ وَ اِمَّا تَخَافَنَّ مِنْ قَوْمٍ خِیَانَۃً فَانْۢبِذْ اِلَیْهِمْ عَلٰی سَوَآءٍ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا یُحِبُّ الْخَآئِنِیْنَ
“They are those with whom you made a covenant, but they break their covenant every time, and they do not have the fear (of Allah). If you ever encounter them in a battle, then disperse them with such a severity that those who behind them, may learn a lesson. If you fear treachery from any group, throw back (their covenant) to them, (so as to be) on equal footing: for Allah does not love the treacherous.” (8:56 – 58)
اِلَّا الَّذِیْنَ یَصِلُوْنَ اِلٰی قَوْمٍۭ بَیْنَکُمْ وَبَیْنَهُمْ مِّیْثَاقٌ اَوْ جَآءُوْکُمْ حَصِرَتْ صُدُوْرُهُمْ اَنْ یُّقَاتِلُوْکُمْ اَوْ یُقَاتِلُوْا قَوْمَهُمْ ؕ وَلَوْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ لَسَلَّطَهُمْ عَلَیْکُمْ فَلَقٰتَلُوْکُمْ ۚ فَاِنِ اعْتَزَلُوْکُمْ فَلَمْ یُقَاتِلُوْکُمْ وَاَلْقَوْا اِلَیْکُمُ السَّلَمَ ۙ فَمَا جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ لَکُمْ عَلَیْهِمْ سَبِیْلًا سَتَجِدُوْنَ اٰخَرِیْنَ یُرِیْدُوْنَ اَنْ یَّاْمَنُوْکُمْ وَیَاْمَنُوْا قَوْمَهُمْ ؕ کُلَّمَا رُدُّوْۤا اِلَی الْفِتْنَۃِ اُرْكِسُوْا فِیْهَا ۚ فَاِنْ لَّمْ یَعْتَزِلُوْکُمْ وَیُلْقُوْۤا اِلَیْکُمُ السَّلَمَ وَیَکُفُّوْۤا اَیْدِیَهُمْ فَخُذُوْهُمْ وَاقْتُلُوْهُمْ حَیْثُ ثَقِفْتُمُوْهُمْ ؕ وَاُولٰٓئِکُمْ جَعَلْنَا لَکُمْ عَلَیْهِمْ سُلْطٰنًا مُّبِیْنًا
“Except those who join a group between whom and you there is a treaty (of peace), or those who approach you with hearts restraining them from fighting you as well as fighting their own people. If Allah had pleased, He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you: Therefore, if they withdraw from you but do not fight you, and (instead) send you (guarantees of) peace, then Allah has opened no way for you (to war against them). You will find others that wish to gain your confidence as well as that of their people: Every time when they are tempted to anarchy, they succumb thereto: if they do not withdraw from you nor give you (guarantees) of peace and do not restrain their hands, seize them and slay them wherever you get them: In their case We have provided you with a clear argument against them.” (4:90 – 91)
وَ اِذَا جَآءَهُمْ اَمْرٌ مِّنَ الْاَمْنِ اَوِ الْخَوْفِ اَذَاعُوْا بِہٖ ؕ وَلَوْ رَدُّوْهُ اِلَی الرَّسُوْلِ وَاِلٰۤی اُولِی الْاَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ الَّذِیْنَ یَسْتَنْۢبِطُوْنَہٗ مِنْهُمْ ؕ وَلَوْ لَا فَضْلُ اللّٰهِ عَلَیْکُمْ وَرَحْمَتُہٗ لَاتَّبَعْتُمُ الشَّیْطٰنَ اِلَّا قَلِیْلًا
“When some news of safety or panic comes to them, they circulate it publicly. But had they referred it to the Messenger, and to those in authority among them, those who can draw conclusions from it would have investigated it. Were it not for Allah’s blessing and mercy upon you, you would have followed the Devil, except for a few!” (4:83)
وَ اِنْ نَّكَثُوْۤا اَیْمَانَهُمْ مِّنْۢ بَعْدِ عَہْدِهِمْ وَطَعَنُوْا فِیْ دِیْنِکُمْ فَقَاتِلُوْۤا اَئِمَّۃَ الْکُفْرِ ۙ اِنَّهُمْ لَاۤ اَیْمَانَ لَهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ یَنْتَهُوْنَ اَلَا تُقَاتِلُوْنَ قَوْمًا نَّكَثُوْۤا اَیْمَانَهُمْ وَهَمُّوْا بِاِخْرَاجِ الرَّسُوْلِ وَهُمْ بَدَءُوْکُمْ اَوَّلَ مَرَّۃٍ ؕ اَتَخْشَوْنَهُمْ ۚ فَاللّٰهُ اَحَقُّ اَنْ تَخْشَوْهُ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ مُّؤْمِنِیْنَ قَاتِلُوْهُمْ یُعَذِّبْهُمُ اللّٰهُ بِاَیْدِیْکُمْ وَیُخْزِهِمْ وَیَنْصُرْکُمْ عَلَیْهِمْ وَیَشْفِ صُدُوْرَ قَوْمٍ مُّؤْمِنِیْنَ
“But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and condemn you for your Faith, – you fight the chiefs of Kufr: for their oaths are nothing to them: so that they may be restrained. Will you not fight people who violated their oaths, plotted to expel the Messenger, and took the aggression by being the first (to assault) you? Do you fear them? Indeed, it is Allah Whom you should more justly fear, if you believe! Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the hearts of Believers.” (9:12 – 14)
وَاِنْ اَحَدٌ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِیْنَ اسْتَجَارَكَ فَاَجِرْهُ حَتّٰی یَسْمَعَ كَلٰمَ اللّٰهِ ثُمَّ اَبْلِغْهُ مَاْمَنَہٗ ؕ ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا یَعْلَمُوْنَ كَیْفَ یَکُوْنُ لِلْمُشْرِكِیْنَ عَہْدٌ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ وَعِنْدَ رَسُوْلِہٖۤ اِلَّا الَّذِیْنَ عٰهَدْتُّمْ عِنْدَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ ۚ فَمَا اسْتَقَامُوْا لَکُمْ فَاسْتَقِیْمُوْا لَهُمْ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ یُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِیْنَ كَیْفَ وَاِنْ یَّظْهَرُوْا عَلَیْکُمْ لَا یَرْقُبُوْا فِیْکُمْ اِلًّا وَلَا ذِمَّۃً ؕ یُرْضُوْنَکُمْ بِاَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَتَاْبٰی قُلُوْبُهُمْ ۚ وَاَکْثَرُهُمْ فٰسِقُوْنَ
“And if anyone of the Mushrikeen (polytheists) asks you for protection, give him protection so that he may hear the Word of Allah; then escort him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know. How can there be a treaty with the Mushrikeen on the part of Allah and His Messenger, except for those with whom you made a treaty (Treaty of Hudaybiyyah) at the Sacred Mosque? As long as they are upright with you, be upright with them. Allah loves the cautious. How? Whenever they overcome you, they respect neither kinship nor treaty with you. They satisfy you with lip service, but their hearts refuse, and most of them are wicked. (9:6 – 8)
Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
A number of negotiations were held between Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and Suhail, the Quraysh leader to make a peace treaty. The Prophet (ﷺ) maintained extreme patience during negotiation, while Suhail showed a rough and tough attitude in making the deal. Finally, the terms of a treaty were agreed upon by both parties, and a 10-year term of armistice was concluded between them. Despite the fact that some of the treaty’s terms were discriminatory and went against Muslims’ interests, the Prophet (ﷺ) accepted the terms and signed the treaty for the noble cause of peace. The treaty’s unequal terms appeared to be acutely painful to the Muslim camp, but they accepted the Prophet’s (ﷺ) decision patiently. But soon their hearts filled with serenity when Almighty Allah Revealed Surah ‘Fatah’ wherein He termed this treaty as ‘Fathul Mubin’ – the clear victory (48:1).
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was a very significant event in the history of Islam. The Quraysh of Makkah, the staunch opponent of Islam for the first time acknowledged the Islamic State of Madinah. This helped Islam to spread all over of Arabian Peninsula without a big barrier. As a whole, the treaty proved to be very fruitful in attaining the goal of peace and victory in the long term.
The verses related to this topic are quoted below:
وَهُوَ الَّذِیْ كَفَّ اَیْدِیَهُمْ عَنْکُمْ وَاَیْدِیَکُمْ عَنْهُمْ بِبَطْنِ مَكَۃَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ اَنْ اَظْفَرَکُمْ عَلَیْهِمْ ؕ وَكَانَ اللّٰهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ بَصِیْرًا هُمُ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَصَدُّوْکُمْ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَالْهَدْیَ مَعْکُوْفًا اَنْ یَّبْلُغَ مَحِلَّہٗ ؕ وَلَوْ لَا رِجَالٌ مُّؤْمِنُوْنَ وَنِسَآءٌ مُّؤْمِنٰتٌ لَّمْ تَعْلَمُوْهُمْ اَنْ تَطَـُٔوْهُمْ فَتُصِیْبَکُمْ مِّنْهُمْ مَّعَرَّۃٌۢ بِغَیْرِ عِلْمٍ ۚ لِیُدْخِلَ اللّٰهُ فِیْ رَحْمَتِہٖ مَنْ یَّشَآءُ ۚ لَوْ تَزَیَّلُوْا لَعَذَّبْنَا الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا مِنْهُمْ عَذَابًا اَلِیْمًا اِذْ جَعَلَ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا فِیْ قُلُوْبِهِمُ الْحَمِیَّۃَ حَمِیَّۃَ الْجَاهِلِیَّۃِ فَاَنْزَلَ اللّٰهُ سَكِیْنَتَہٗ عَلٰی رَسُوْلِہٖ وَعَلَی الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ وَاَلْزَمَهُمْ كَلِمَۃَ التَّقْوٰی وَكَانُوْۤا اَحَقَّ بِهَا وَاَهْلَهَا ؕ وَكَانَ اللّٰهُ بِکُلِّ شَیْءٍ عَلِیْمًا
“It is He (Allah) Who withheld their hands from you, and your hands from them, in the valley of Makkah, after giving you an advantage over them. Allah is an Observer of what you do. It is they who disbelieved and barred you from the Sacred Mosque, and prevented the offering (sacrificial animals) from reaching its destination. Were it not for some faithful men and faithful women (staying in Makkah), whom you did not know, you were about to hurt them, and became guilty of an unintentional crime! Thus, Allah admits into His mercy whomever He wills. Had they dispersed, We would have punished those disbelievers among them with a painful penalty. Those who disbelieved filled their hearts with fury – the fury of the days of ignorance. But Allah sent His serenity down upon His Messenger, and upon the believers, and imposed on them the words of Taqwa (righteousness) – of which they were most worthy and deserving. Allah is aware of everything.” (48:24 – 26)
اِنَّا فَتَحْنَا لَكَ فَتْحًا مُّبِیْنًا لِّیَغْفِرَ لَكَ اللّٰهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْۢبِكَ وَمَا تَاَخَّرَ وَیُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَہٗ عَلَیْكَ وَیَہْدِیَكَ صِرَاطًا مُّسْتَقِیْمًا وَ یَنْصُرَكَ اللّٰهُ نَصْرًا عَزِیْزًا
“(O Prophet) Indeed, we have granted you a clear victory (through the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah), so that Allah may cover up your shortcomings, past and future, and that He may complete His favor upon you, and may guide you on a right path; And Allah may help you with a mighty help” (48:1 – 3).
هُوَ الَّذِىۤ اَنزَلَ السَّكِيْنَةَ فِىْ قُلُوْبِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ لِيَزْدَادُوْٓا اِيْمٰنًا مَّعَ اِيْمٰنِهِمْ ط وَللهِ جُنُوْدُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَكَانَ اللهُ عَلِيْمًا حَكِيْمًا
“It is He Who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the Believers, that they may add faith to their (existing) faith; – for to Allah belong the Forces of the heavens and the earth; and Allah is Full of Knowledge and Wisdom.” (48:4)
Conquest of Makkah
The treacherous breach of the terms of the Hudaybiyyah Peace Treaty by the Quraysh prompted Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to conquer Makkah. It was one of the greatest and most glorious events of Islam, as the Muslim army was able to enter the city without shedding blood. After taking peaceful control of the city, the Prophet (ﷺ) demonstrated his incredible generosity by granting general amnesty and clemency to Islam’s enemies. Thus, Islam has shunned the Arabs tribal policy of vengeance, and upheld the liberal policy of tolerance and clemency. The following verse indicates the conquest of Makkah:
وَ لَقَدْ سَبَقَتْ كَلِمَتُنَا لِعِبَادِنَا الْمُرْسَلِیْنَ اِنَّهُمْ لَهُمُ الْمَنْصُوْرُوْنَ وَاِنَّ جُنْدَنَا لَهُمُ الْغٰلِبُوْنَ
“Our Decree (word) has already been passed concerning our Servants – the Messengers, that they would certainly be assisted, and that Our forces surely will be the victorious.” (37:171 – 173)
لَقَدْ صَدَقَ اللّٰهُ رَسُوْلَهُ الرُّءْیَا بِالْحَقِّ ۚ لَتَدْخُلُنَّ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ اِنْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ اٰمِنِیْنَ ۙ مُحَلِّقِیْنَ رُءُوْسَکُمْ وَمُقَصِّرِیْنَ ۙ لَا تَخَافُوْنَ ؕ فَعَلِمَ مَا لَمْ تَعْلَمُوْا فَجَعَلَ مِنْ دُوْنِ ذٰلِكَ فَتْحًا قَرِیْبًا
“Verily Allah has fulfilled His Messenger’s vision in truth: ‘When Allah wills, you will enter the Sacred Mosque, in security, in shaven heads or trimmed hair, and without fear. Allah had knowledge of that which you did not know and has granted an imminent victory (of Khaybar) even before that (entrance to Sacred Mosque).” (48:27)
Jihad of Earlier Prophets
فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوْتُ بِالْجُنُوْدِ ۙ قَالَ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مُبْتَلِیْکُمْ بِنَهَرٍ ۚ فَمَنْ شَرِبَ مِنْهُ فَلَیْسَ مِنِّیْ ۚ وَمَنْ لَّمْ یَطْعَمْهُ فَاِنَّہٗ مِنِّیْۤ اِلَّا مَنِ اغْتَرَفَ غُرْفَۃًۢ بِیَدِہٖ ۚ فَشَرِبُوْا مِنْهُ اِلَّا قَلِیْلًا مِّنْهُمْ ؕ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَہٗ هُوَ وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مَعَہٗ ۙ قَالُوْا لَا طَاقَۃَ لَنَا الْیَوْمَ بِجَالُوْتَ وَجُنُوْدِہٖ ؕ قَالَ الَّذِیْنَ یَظُنُّوْنَ اَنَّهُمْ مُّلٰقُوا اللّٰهِ ۙ كَمْ مِّنْ فِئَۃٍ قَلِیْلَۃٍ غَلَبَتْ فِئَۃً كَثِیْرَۃًۢ بِاِذْنِ اللّٰهِ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ مَعَ الصّٰبِرِیْنَ
“When Taloot (Saul) set out with the troops, he said, ‘Allah will be testing you with a river. Whoever drinks from it does not belong to me. But whoever does not drink from it, does belong to me, except for whoever scoops up a little with his hand.” But they drank from it, except for a few of them. Then, when he crossed it, there remained only a few believers with him, they said, ‘We have no strength to face Jaloot (Goliath) and his troops today.’ But those who knew that they would meet Allah, said, ‘How many a small group has defeated a large group by Allah’s will. Allah is with the steadfast’.” (2:249)
وَ لَمَّا بَرَزُوْا لِجَالُوْتَ وَجُنُوْدِہٖ قَالُوْا رَبَّنَاۤ اَفْرِغْ عَلَیْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ اَقْدَامَنَا وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَی الْقَوْمِ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ فَهَزَمُوْهُمْ بِاِذْنِ اللّٰهِۙ وَقَتَلَ دَاوٗدُ جَالُوْتَ وَاٰتٰىهُ اللّٰهُ الْمُلْكَ وَالْحِکْمَۃَ وَعَلَّمَہٗ مِمَّا یَشَآءُ ؕ وَلَوْ لَا دَفْعُ اللّٰهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ ۙ لَّفَسَدَتِ الْاَرْضُ وَلٰكِنَّ اللّٰهَ ذُوْ فَضْلٍ عَلَی الْعٰلَمِیْنَ
“And when they confronted Jaloot (Goliath) and his troops, they said, ‘Our Lord, pour down patience on us, and strengthen our foothold, and support us against the faithless people.’ And they defeated them by Allah’s leave, and Dawood (David) killed Jaloot, and Allah gave him sovereign kingdom and wisdom, and taught him as He willed. Were it not for Allah restraining the people, some by means of others, the earth would have gone to ruin! But Allah is gracious towards mankind.” (2:250 – 251)
وَكَاَیِّنْ مِّنْ نَّبِیٍّ قٰتَلَ ۙ مَعَہٗ رِبِّیُّوْنَ كَثِیْرٌ ۚ فَمَا وَهَنُوْا لِمَاۤ اَصَابَهُمْ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُوْا وَمَا اسْتَكَانُوْا ؕ وَاللّٰهُ یُحِبُّ الصّٰبِرِیْنَ وَمَا كَانَ قَوْلَهُمْ اِلَّاۤ اَنْ قَالُوْا رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوْبَنَا وَاِسْرَافَنَا فِیْۤ اَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ اَقْدَامَنَا وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَی الْقَوْمِ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ فَاٰتٰىهُمُ اللّٰهُ ثَوَابَ الدُّنْیَا وَحُسْنَ ثَوَابِ الْاٰخِرَۃِ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ یُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِیْنَ
“How many were the prophets along with them many righteous people fought? They did not waver for what afflicted them in the cause of Allah, nor did they weaken, nor did they give in. Allah loves those who endure. Their only words were, ‘Our Lord, forgive us our offences, and our excesses in our conduct, and strengthen our foothold, and help us against the disbelieving people.’ So, Allah gave them the reward of this world, and the excellent reward of the Hereafter. Allah loves the doers of good.” (3:146 – 148)
Misunderstanding about Jihad
Because of western propaganda, some misunderstandings have cropped up in the minds of people about Jihad. The western historians and media always tried to portray Islam as intolerant, aggressive and revengeful. Such propaganda has been launched since the time of crusade in medieval Europe. In recent time, such propaganda has been revived with a view to hide the injustice and oppression meted out to Palestinian Muslims who are engaged in defending their homeland from the illegal occupation of Israel. The unjust and forced occupation of Palestine began under an evil design of the Anglo-American axis to create the Zionist State of Israel in 1948, which created unrest and violence in the Middle East. Since then, the Muslim population of Palestine has been subjected to Israeli atrocities. They have been forcibly evacuated from their homes and lands, and this process of illegal occupation by Israel is still continuing. The western powers intentionally labeled the Palestinians’ legal struggle as terrorism.
The 9/11 attack in the United States was the consequence of the continued unjust aggression against Palestinians. The US and its allies claimed that the attack was an act of terrorism perpetrated by “Al-Qaida” – a group of Islamic Jihadists. Since that time, the Jihadists have been targeted as a common enemy to be fought with terror by America and its allies. But the fact is that Al-Qaida was patronized by the US when it was engaged in fighting against the occupation of Afghanistan by the then Soviet Russia. Similarly, another Jihadist group known as “ISIS” was formed in Iraq to fight back against the US occupation army and their allies. It became powerful in Iraq and Syria by capturing a lot of leftover weapons of the US army when they withdrew from Iraq.
However, ideology of the above-mentioned Jihadist groups hardly conforms “Jihad Fi-Sabilillah” of Islam, which means to fight or struggle in the path of Allah to establish truth, peace, and justice. The fact is that the Jihad of Islam is the symbol of a just struggle permitted by Allah (SWT) to establish peace and justice and thereby eliminate all kinds of oppressions and offenses and save humanity. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Permission (to fight back) is given to those (Muslims) who are under aggression, because they have been oppressed; – and verily, Allah is most powerful for their help; – (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes merely for saying, ‘Our Lord is Allah’. Did Allah not check one group of people by means of another, surely monasteries, churches, synagogues would have been destroyed as well as mosques in which Allah’s name is remembered abundantly. Allah will certainly assist those who assist His (cause); – for verily Allah is full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).” (22:39 – 40)
“Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors.” (2:190)