Nasai

(1) Jihad is one of the obligations of Islam, but it differs from the other pillars of Islam in certain conditions: ➊ The five pillars, that is, the testimony of monotheism and messengership, prayer (salah), almsgiving (zakat), fasting (sawm), and pilgrimage (hajj) are individual obligations (fard ayn), whereas jihad, in general circumstances, is not an individual obligation but a collective obligation (fard kifayah). ➋ The five pillars are individual acts of worship, whereas jihad is included among the duties of the government. ➌ Jihad is according to necessity; if there is no need, then jihad will also not take place, whereas the other acts of worship are not dependent on necessity. In the Makkan period, since the Muslims were weak and very few in number, jihad did not take place. Even in Madinah, when the need arose, jihad was undertaken, as in the events of Badr, Uhud, and Khandaq. Or when the mischief of the disbelievers exceeded all bounds and became unbearable for the Islamic state, even becoming a threat to it, then an attack was made, as in the events of Khaybar and the conquest of Makkah. However, if the disbelievers live peacefully, do not impose war upon the Muslims, and do not engage in destructive conspiracies against their state, then fighting them will not be undertaken; rather, a treaty will be made and peace maintained with them, as occurred with the Jews in the Charter of Madinah and with the Quraysh in the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. ➍ It is not necessary for every individual to go out for jihad; rather, it is obligatory upon those whom the leader deems necessary. And if the government has established a separate military division, then jihad is obligatory upon them. Other people should continue with their respective occupations so that the wheel of the economy keeps turning. However, the leader may, according to necessity and circumstances, issue a compulsory order for everyone to go out, as occurred during the expedition of Tabuk in the life of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). ➎ To think that jihad means to be constantly armed and to engage in unnecessary fighting and bloodshed, and neither to live in peace nor to let others live in peace, is a distortion of the meaning of jihad. It is contrary to the pure life of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and a misinterpretation of the Noble Qur’an.

(2) The departure of a prophet from a people is a sign of misfortune for that people and a message of destruction for them, whereas the presence of a prophet is a mercy from Allah and a guarantee of protection from punishment. As long as a prophet remained among his people, punishment did not come, no matter how widespread disbelief was.