Jihad

We want to travel to Iraq to fight in the cause of Allah, but the authorities in the country where I live do not allow us to do so. What can we do to help the Iraqis?

Assalamu Aleikum,May Allah reward you for a great work that you are doing.Can you please clarify the issue of Preemptive or Offensive Jihad referred to in this Fatwa (http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503546394). For example, Abu Bakr RA has sent an army of Osama to fight Romans (following the decision of the Prophet SAW) who were not an imminent threat and Ummar Ibn Alkhattab RA in his inauguration speech has made references to Offensive Jihad (I apologize but I do not remember the exact words). Sincerely,Denis S.

Dear Scholars,As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah.Firstly, I have heard that not going for jihad when required is a great sin (kabair), is this correct? Secondly, if so is it fardh to go and fight in an occupied country when you are living in an unoccupied country abroad?Thankyou for taking time to consider my question and insha'Allah yours will be an immense reward in the hereafter for your efforts in this life.SJ.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. Is it true that in order to be eligible for Jihad (fighting in the Cause of Allah), one has to seek the permission of one’s parents, although thousands of Muslims are being killed?

Dear Sheikh, As-Salamu `Alaykum wa Rahamatu Allah wa Barakatuh. Please, shed some light on the idea of Jihad?

What does the term "Jihad" mean to you as Muslims?

As-salamu `alaykum. Could you please clarify the true concept of Jihad in Islam and its purpose? Jazakum Allah Khayran.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. Is the hadith which reads, “You have returned from the minor Jihad to the major Jihad” authentic? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Which is more important, going for Hajj or spending the money I have saved for Hajj on jihad?

Some people say that there are two kinds of jihad: defensive and offensive. Is that right?

Dear scholars, thanks for all the clarifications you’ve made as to many religious issues. Now I have a question very relevant to the current issues. It is about Jihad, does it give any sense of aggression? Jazaka Allah Khairan!

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. Is the struggle for the restoration of land or for the defense of his country is a struggle fi sabili allah (in the Cause of Allah)? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Is there any hadiths concerning the virtue of Jihad in the Cause of Allah?

As-Salamu Alaikum. Why do your eminence consider spiritual discipline as something necessary for Jihad?

As-Salamu `Alaykum wa Rahmatu Allah wa Barakatuh. Islam is a religion of peace. We greet our brothers and sisters by wishing peace for them. Must Muslims accept violence? Can Muslims be strictly non-violent? Too often the media in the West presents the image of Muslims as violent, but I know this is not correct. I’m a Muslim, but insha'Allah, I will never kill anyone, or even hurt them intentionally. When I watch the genocide in Chechnya or Bosnia, or the tragedy which unfolds in Palestine, it makes me very angry and very sad. I pray that Allah will allow peace to prevail among humanity, between the Muslims and the non-Muslims alike. I like to think that I and other Muslims can be a force for peace rather than for violence. Am I wrong? Thank you for your help. This is really troubling me, and any advice you can provide would be much appreciated. Jazakum Allah khayran. Wa Salamu `Alaykum wa Rahmatu Allah wa Barakatuh.

What does Islam say about terrorism and the fight for religion?

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. Most of the Muslim youth think of jihad in order to defend Islam and ward off aggression. As you know, we may not be able to join fighting against aggressive forces due to many reasons. Therefore, is there any other kind of jihad that we should carry out other than fighting aggressive forces?

I hope you scholars will help me get rid of these confusions I have been having since the Sept 11 incident, especially as regards some Qur’anic verses. These verses totally contradict what Muslims say that their religion calls for peace and denounces violence. Mind you, though not a Muslim, but I don’t hate Muslims. I just need shedding light on some issues. How would you interpret a verse like this (And slay them wherever ye catch them…)? (Al-Baqarah 2: 191) and (…But if they turn away, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks) (An-Nisaa' 4: 89) I will really appreciate your quick reply.

I am not a Muslim. Yet I’m a peace-loving person and I am eager to know whether there are ethics that govern war in your religion, especially as we know and see what happens nowadays: gross violations of all ethics and teachings. Your earliest response will be very much appreciated.

IS JIHAD OUT OF DATE

Dear Sheikh, As-Salamu `Alykum wa Rahmatu Allah wa Barakatuh. What are the levels of Jihad?

 Assalamu'alaikum dear scholars. The local Imam hear makes controversial statements in his khutbah, After most Jummahs instead of feeling good I feel depressed and disgusted. My problem today is the statement that he made saying that in his opinion their is no more Jihad for the sake of Allah today. Some say you should not take this literal, but aren't things in Fiqh and the Kitab of Allah taken literal before allegorical? And why would he say such a thing, and what is the benefit. Should you not clarify your statement? My main question is can I choose not to pray behind someone who openly denies Jihad for the sake of Allah? May Allah bless the Scholars and islamonline.net for the benefiting our Ummah.

Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. What is meant by Al-Ribat Fi Sabil Allah and what is its virtue in Islam? Jazakum Allahu Khayran

When does Jihad become an individual duty (Fard `ayn) on all Muslims? And is it necessary for one to take his parents’ permission before participating in Jihad?

salaami have a very important question that i feel many modern muslim scholars are in denial of. i ask only for the truth, not some modern made up answer. it is clear from the hadith of the prophet saws, the Quran, the tafsirs and the ijma of all the classical scholars that jihad is NOT defensive but offensive. that muslims must offer the non-muslims conversion to islam, jizyah or war. in the case of hindus and other polytheists it is conversion or war. as muslims living in todays world should we reject these teachings, should we modernise them and call them outdated. are these teachings time-specific and today should we follow Quran 60:8 that calls for peace. please explain this confusing issue for me.

As-salamu `alaykum. Could you please clarify how Islam views the issue of mutilating dead bodies of ene mies in times of war?