Literal and Terminological Definition of Jihad, Virtue and Importance (From Quran and Hadith)
Linguistic Explanation: The word جهاد is derived from the root جَاهَدَ يُجَاهِدُ (Mufā‘alah). Its meaning is to exert full strength, to fight the enemy, and to work hard and endure hardship, etc.
Technical and Jurisprudential Definition:
(Shafi’i) Fighting the disbelievers for the support of Islam.
(Hanafis) Calling towards the true religion and fighting with wealth and life those who do not accept it.
(Hanbalis) Fighting specific disbelievers except rebels and bandits.
(Malikis) Fighting a non-treaty disbeliever for the purpose of elevating the word of Allah, either by going to their territory or upon their arrival in one’s own territory.
(Ibn Hajar) Exerting strength in fighting the disbelievers is Jihad.
(Ibn Taymiyyah) Jihad is either with the heart, for example, having a firm intention to practice Islam, or calling towards Islam and Islamic Shariah, which is Jihad (by the tongue). Establishing proof and argument against false worshippers, clarifying the truth, and removing doubts is also Jihad. Planning and deliberation for the collective benefit of Muslims is also Jihad. Fighting the enemies of Allah with one’s life is also Jihad. Therefore, among all these forms, one must engage in the form of Jihad that is possible or necessary.
(Ibn Qayyim) The Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) Jihad was with the heart and soul, with invitation and explanation, and with sword and spear (all kinds). All his times were dedicated to Jihad by heart, by tongue, and by hand. (It is established that Jihad encompasses all these types.) Jihad against the self is necessary before Jihad against the enemy because one who does not struggle against his own self by following commands and avoiding prohibitions cannot fight the enemy.
(Amir San’ani) Exerting strength in fighting against disbelievers or rebels is Jihad.
(Abdullah Bassam) Exerting full effort in fighting against disbelievers, rebels, or bandits is Jihad.
(Sheikh Wahbah Zuhayli) Fighting against disbelievers or in self-defense by exerting full strength with life, wealth, and tongue is Jihad.
Summary of Definitions:
In light of the collective texts of the Book and Sunnah and the definitions stated by the above scholars, to the best of our knowledge, the definition of Jihad is: “Every tireless effort and struggle that is done with the intention of the dominance of Islam, whether that effort is individual or collective, verbal or written, financial or physical.”
It should be clear that any struggle which does not aim for the elevation of Islam is not included in Jihad.
Importance of Jihad:
➊ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
“Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you do not know.”
➋ وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“And fight in the cause of Allah and know that Allah is Hearing and Knowing.”
➌ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قَاتِلُوا الَّذِينَ يَلُونَكُم مِّنَ الْكُفَّارِ وَلْيَجِدُوا فِيكُمْ غِلْظَةً ۚ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ
“O you who have believed, fight those adjacent to you of the disbelievers and let them find in you harshness. And know that Allah is with the righteous.”
➍ وَقَاتِلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَافَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ كَافَّةً ۚ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ
“And fight the polytheists collectively as they fight you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous.”
➎ وَقَاتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّىٰ لَا تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ وَيَكُونَ الدِّينُ لِلَّهِ ۖ فَإِنِ انتَهَوْا فَلَا عُدْوَانَ إِلَّا عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ
“And fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] the religion, all of it, is for Allah. And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Seeing of what they do.”
➏ قَاتِلُوهُمْ يُعَذِّبْهُمُ اللَّهُ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ وَيُخْزِهِمْ وَيَنصُرْكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَيَشْفِ صُدُورَ قَوْمٍ مُّؤْمِنِينَ وَيُذْهِبْ غَيْظَ قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَيَتُوبُ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَاءُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
“Fight them; Allah will punish them by your hands and will disgrace them and give you victory over them and satisfy the breasts of a believing people.”
➐ وَجَاهِدُوا فِي اللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ
“Fight in the cause of Allah as you are commanded.”
➑ وَاقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ ثَقِفْتُمُوهُمْ وَأَخْرِجُوهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ أَخْرَجُوكُمْ ۚ وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ
“And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah is worse than killing.”
➒ إِذَا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَضَرْبَ الرِّقَابِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَثْخَنتُمُوهُمْ فَشُدُّوا الْوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنًّا بَعْدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَاءً حَتَّىٰ تَضَعَ الْحَرْبُ أَوْزَارَهَا
“So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure their bonds.”
➓ فَقَاتِلْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَا تُكَلَّفُ إِلَّا نَفْسَكَ ۚ وَحَرِّضِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
“So fight, [O Muhammad], in the cause of Allah; you are not held responsible except for yourself.”
⓫ Narrated Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
جاهدوا المشركين بأموالكم وأنفسكم و السنتكم
“Fight the polytheists with your wealth, your lives, and your tongues.”
⓬ Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
أمرت أن أقاتل الناس حتى يشهدوا أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا رسول الله ويقيموا الصلاة ويؤتوا الزكاة فإذا فعلوا ذلك عصموا منى دمائهم وأموالهم إلا بحق الإسلام وحسابهم على الله
“I have been commanded to fight the people until they testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and establish prayer and give zakah. When they do that, their blood and property are protected from me except by right, and their reckoning is with Allah.”
⓭ Narrated Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said on the day of the conquest of Mecca:
لا هجرة بعد الفتح ولكن جهاد ونية وإذا استنفرتم فانفروا
“After the conquest of Mecca, the circumstances have changed so that Muslims no longer need to migrate to Medina, but the intention of Jihad remains, and when you are commanded to go for Jihad, then go out.”
⓮ Narrated Abu Bakr ibn Abi Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) that he heard his father saying while confronting the enemy: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
إن أبواب الجنة تحت ظلال السيوف
“Indeed, the gates of Paradise are under the shadows of swords.”
Upon hearing this, a disheveled man stood up and said, “O Abu Musa! Did you hear this from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) yourself?” He replied, “Yes.” Then he turned to his companions, bid them farewell, broke the sheath of his sword, took the sword, advanced towards the enemy, fought, and was martyred.”
⓯ Narrated Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
إذا تبـايـعـتـم بالعينة وأخذتم أذناب البقر ورضيتم بالزرع وتركتم الجهاد سلط الله عليكم ذلا لا ينزعه حتى ترجعوا إلى دينكم
“When you begin the ‘Bay’ al-‘Inah’ (a type of usurious transaction) and hold the tails of cows and oxen and become content with farming and abandon Jihad, Allah will impose humiliation upon you which He will not remove until you return to your religion.”
Virtues of Jihad:
➊ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَهَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِندَ اللَّهِ ۚ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ — يُبَشِّرُهُمْ رَبُّهُم بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنْهُ وَرِضْوَانٍ وَجَنَّاتٍ لَّهُمْ فِيهَا نَعِيمٌ مُّقِيمٌ — خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عِندَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
“Those who have believed and emigrated and fought in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. And it is those who are the attainers [of success]. Their Lord gives them good tidings of mercy from Him and approval and gardens for them wherein is enduring pleasure.”
➋ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَهَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَالَّذِينَ آوَوا وَّنَصَرُوا أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا ۚ لَّهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ
“Those who believed and emigrated and fought with their wealth and lives in the cause of Allah and those who gave shelter and aided – it is they who are the believers, truly.”
➌ إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَرْتَابُوا وَجَاهَدُوا بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الصَّادِقُونَ
“The believers are only those who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah.”
➍ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اشْتَرَىٰ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ ۚ يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَيَقْتُلُونَ وَيُقْتَلُونَ ۖ وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنجِيلِ وَالْقُرْآنِ ۚ وَمَنْ أَوْفَىٰ بِعَهْدِهِ مِنَ اللَّهِ ۚ فَاسْتَبْشِرُوا بِبَيْعِكُمُ الَّذِي بَايَعْتُم بِهِ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
“Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise.”
➎ فَلْيُقَاتِلْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يَشْرُونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا بِالْآخِرَةِ ۚ وَمَن يُقَاتِلْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَيُقْتَلْ أَوْ يَغْلِبْ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
“So let those fight in the cause of Allah who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter.”
➏ لَّا يَسْتَوِي الْقَاعِدُونَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ غَيْرُ أُولِي الضَّرَرِ وَالْمُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ ۚ فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ عَلَى الْقَاعِدِينَ دَرَجَةً ۚ وَكُلًّا وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ وَفَضَّلَ اللَّهُ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ عَلَى الْقَاعِدِينَ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا — دَرَجَاتٍ مِّنْهُ وَمَغْفِرَةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
“Not equal are those of the believers who sit [at home] except those who are disabled and those who strive hard and fight in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives.”
➐ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن تَنصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ
“O you who have believed, if you support Allah, He will support you and plant firmly your feet.”
➑ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ تِجَارَةٍ تُنجِيكُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ — تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَتُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ – يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَيُدْخِلْكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ وَمَسَاكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِي جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ – وَأُخْرَىٰ تُحِبُّونَهَا ۖ نَصْرٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَفَتْحٌ قَرِيبٌ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ —
“O you who have believed, shall I guide you to a transaction that will save you from a painful punishment? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives.”
➒ Narrated Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him):
سألت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قلت يا رسول الله ! أى العمل أفضل؟ قال الصلوة على ميقاتها قلت ثم أي؟ قال ثم برالوالدين قلت ثم أي؟ قال الجهاد فى سبيل الله
“I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), ‘Which deed is the best?’ He said, ‘Prayer at its proper time.’ I asked, ‘Then what?’ He said, ‘Good treatment of parents.’ I asked, ‘Then what?’ He said, ‘Jihad in the cause of Allah.’”
➓ Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him):
أن رجلا قال يا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم دلني على عمل يعدل الجهاد قال لا أجده ثم قال هل تستطيع إذا خرج المجاهد أن تدخل مسجدك فتقوم ولا تفتر وتصوم ولا تفطر فقال ومن يستطيع ذلك؟
“A man said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, guide me to a deed equal to Jihad.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘I do not find a deed equal to Jihad.’ Then he said, ‘Do you have the strength to stand in your mosque after the Mujahid goes out for Jihad and remain standing until he returns, fasting and never breaking the fast?’ Then he said, ‘Who can do that?’”
⓫ Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
إن فى الجنة مائة درجة أعدها الله للمجاهدين فى سبيل الله ما بين الدرجتين كما بين السماء والأرض فإذا سألتم الله فاسئلوه الفردوس فإنه أوسط الجنة وأعلى الجنة ومنه تفجر أنهار الجنة وفوقه عرش الرحمان
“Indeed, Paradise has one hundred grades which Allah has prepared for the Mujahideen. The distance between each two grades is like the distance between the heaven and the earth. So when you ask Allah, ask Him for Al-Firdaus, for it is the middle of Paradise and the highest part of Paradise, and from it springs the rivers of Paradise, and above it is the Throne of Allah.”
⓬ Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him):
مر رجل من أصحاب النبى بشعب فيه عيينة من ماء عذب فقال لو اعتزلت الناس فأقمت فى هذا الشعب؟ ولن أفعل حتى استاذن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فذكر ذلك لرسول الله فقال لا تفعل فإن مقام أحدكم فى سبيل الله أفضل من صلوته فى بيته سبعين عاما ألا تحبون أن يغفر الله لكم ويدخلكم الجنة؟ أغزوا فى سبيل الله من قاتل فى سبيل الله فواق ناقة وجبت له الجنة
“One of the Companions passed by a valley where there was a spring of cold water. He said, ‘If I stay here alone and worship Allah, but I will not do this until I seek permission from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).’ So he told the whole story to the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said, ‘Do not do that. Indeed, standing in the cause of Allah is better than seventy years of prayer in your house. Would you not like that Allah forgive you and admit you to Paradise? Fight in the cause of Allah. Whoever fights in the cause of Allah for the time between milking a she-camel and milking another, Paradise becomes obligatory for him.’”
⓭ Narrated Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) that a man asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) for permission to travel, and he said:
إن سياحة أمتى الجهاد فى سبيل الله
“Indeed, the travel of my Ummah is Jihad in the cause of Allah.”
⓮ Narrated Ubada ibn As-Samit (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
جاهدوا فى سبيل الله فإن الجهاد فى سبيل الله باب من أبواب الجنة ينجى الله تبارك وتعالى به من الهم والحزن
“Fight in the cause of Allah, for Jihad in the cause of Allah is one of the gates of Paradise. Allah grants relief from distress and sorrow through it.”
⓯ Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
ثلاثة حق على الله عونهم: المجاهد فى سبيل الله والمكاتب الذى يريد الأداء والناكح الذى يريد العفاف
“There are three persons whom Allah has a right to help: the one who fights in the cause of Allah, the slave who wants to pay his debt, and the one who intends to marry to preserve chastity.”
⓰ Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
من خير معاش الناس لهم رجل ممسك عنان فرسه فى سبيل الله يطير على متنه كلما سمع هيعة أو فزعة طار عليه يبتغى القتل والموت مظانه أو رجل فى غنيمة فى رأس شعفة من هذه الشعف أو بطن واد من هذه الأودية يقيم الصلاة ويؤتي الزكاة ويعبد ربه حتى يأتيه اليقين ليس من الناس إلا فى خير
“The best life among people is that of a man who sits on his horse in Jihad, holding the reins, running around. When he hears the noise of an attack or the sound of panic, he rushes towards it to be killed. He seeks death in the places of death. The life of the man who lives on a mountain peak or in a valley, prays, gives zakah, and worships his Lord until death is also good among people.”
⓱ Narrated Abu ‘Abs (may Allah be pleased with him) that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say:
من اغبرت قدماه فى سبيل الله حرمه الله على النار ، وفي لفظ له ، ما اغيرنا قدما عبد فى سبيل الله فتمسه النار
“Whoever’s feet get dusty on the path of Jihad, the fire of Hell is forbidden for him. And elsewhere he said: ‘No dust settles on the feet of a man on the path of Allah, then the fire of Hell will touch him (meaning this will never happen).’”
⓲ Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him):
سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول موقف ساعة فى سبيل الله خير من قيام ليلة القدر عند الحجر الأسود
“I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say that standing for a moment in the cause of Allah is better than standing in prayer on the Night of Decree near the Black Stone.”
⓳ Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
لا يجتمع كافر وقاتله فى النار أبدا
“The disbeliever and the Mujahid who kills him will never be together in the Fire.”
20. Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to him:
أتعلم أول زمرة تدخل الجنة من أمتى؟ قلت الله ورسوله أعلم فقال المهاجرون يأتون يوم القيامة إلى باب الجنة ويستفتحون فيقول لهم الخزنة أوقد حو سبتم؟ قالوا بأى شيئ نحاسب وإنما كانت أسيافنا على عواتقنا فى سبيل الله حتى متنا على ذلك قال فيفتح لهم فيقيلون فيها أربعين عاما قبل أن يدخلها الناس
“Do you know which group of my Ummah will enter Paradise first? I said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ He said, ‘Those who emigrated in the cause of Allah will come on the Day of Resurrection to the gates of Paradise and knock on it. The gatekeeper will ask them, ‘Have you been reckoned?’ They will say, ‘What reckoning? Our condition was that swords were constantly on our shoulders until death came to us.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that the gates of Paradise will be opened for them, and they will enter Paradise forty years before the people enter it and rest therein.’”
