Is Jihad a Fard ‘Ayn (Individual Obligation) or Fard Kifayah (Collective Duty)? – Clarified with Quran and Hadith Proofs
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
According to Islamic jurisprudence, Jihad is primarily Fard Kifayah, meaning a collective obligation. However, it becomes Fard ‘Ayn (an individual obligation) in three specific circumstances, as stated in Al-Mughni: 8/346:
If two armies are facing each other in the battlefield, it becomes Fard ‘Ayn upon every present individual to remain firm and not retreat. In such a scenario, fleeing is prohibited, as Allah says in the Qur’an:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا زَحْفًا فَلَا تُوَلُّوهُمُ الْأَدْبَارَ…
[Al-Anfal: 15–16]
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
"Beware of the seven destructive sins."
Among them is: التولى يوم الزحف
"Turning away on the day of battle."
[Bukhari: 2766]
If non-Muslim forces attack a city, defending it becomes individually obligatory upon its residents. Imam Ibn Qudamah رحمه الله states:
"If the disbelievers descend upon a town, it becomes obligatory upon its inhabitants to fight and repel them."
[Al-Mughni: 8/346]
If the leader of the Muslims gives a general call to arms, Jihad becomes individually obligatory upon everyone. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَا لَكُمْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ انفِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ...
[At-Tawbah: 38]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"If you are summoned, then go forth."
[Bukhari: 3077]
This is agreed upon by all jurists.
(For further reference: Bada’i al-Sana’i: p. 98; Tabyin al-Haqa’iq: 3/241; Fath al-Qadir: 4/278; Al-Durr al-Mukhtar: 3/239; Athar al-Harb: p. 87)
"A duty which every Muslim is individually responsible for, such as prayer and fasting."
"A collective duty such that if enough people perform it, the obligation is lifted from the rest. If no one performs it, all are sinful. Initially, the command applies to all, but the distinction lies in that Fard Kifayah is absolved by the performance of some, whereas Fard ‘Ayn is not."
[Al-Mughni: 8/345]
Example: Funeral prayer — if some perform it, others are not required; if no one does, all are sinful.
① Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما said regarding:
إِلَّا تَنفِرُوا يُعَذِّبْكُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
[At-Tawbah: 39]
And also:
مَا كَانَ لِأَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ...
[At-Tawbah: 120]
These verses were later abrogated by:
وَمَا كَانَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لِيَنفِرُوا كَافَّةً...
[At-Tawbah: 122]
[Hasan: Sahih Abu Dawood: 2187]
② Imam Al-Tabari رحمه الله opined that:
إِلَّا تَنفِرُوا يُعَذِّبْكُمْ...
Might have been specific to the Prophet ﷺ.
[Tafsir al-Tabari: 11/7]
③ Hafiz Ibn Hajar رحمه الله stated:
The verse is specific (not abrogated).
[Fath al-Bari: 6/121]
④ The Prophet ﷺ sometimes went personally to battle, and at other times only sent troops without accompanying them.
[Al-Rawdah al-Nadiyyah: 2/715]
⑤ Allah says:
لَا يَسْتَوِي الْقَاعِدُونَ...
[An-Nisa: 95]
This implies that not all who refrain from Jihad are sinful.
⑥ Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, performs prayer, and fasts in Ramadan, Allah has made Paradise obligatory for him — whether he participated in Jihad or stayed in his hometown."
[Bukhari: 2790]
⑦ Zaid ibn Khalid رضي الله عنه narrated:
"Whoever equips a warrior has himself participated, and whoever supports a warrior’s family has also participated."
[Muslim: 1895]
⑧ Sahl ibn Hunaif رضي الله عنه narrated:
"Whoever sincerely asks Allah for martyrdom, Allah will grant him the rank of martyrs, even if he dies in bed."
[Muslim: 1909]
✦ Hanbali and Shafi’i scholars view Jihad as Fard Kifayah.
[Nayl al-Awtar: 4/679]
① Allah commands:
انفِرُوا خِفَافًا وَثِقَالًا...
[At-Tawbah: 41]
② Warning of punishment:
إِلَّا تَنفِرُوا يُعَذِّبْكُمْ...
[At-Tawbah: 39]
③ Fighting is mandated:
كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ
[Al-Baqarah: 216]
④ Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ:
"Whoever dies without having fought or even intending to fight dies on a branch of hypocrisy."
[Muslim: 1910]
✦ Sa’eed ibn al-Musayyib رحمه الله considered Jihad to be Fard ‘Ayn.
[Al-Mughni: 8/345; Tafsir al-Qurtubi: 3/38]
انفِرُوا خِفَافًا وَثِقَالًا...
[At-Tawbah: 41]
This verse refers to armed combat.
فَلَا تُطِعِ الْكَافِرِينَ وَجَاهِدْهُم بِهِ جِهَادًا كَبِيرًا
[Al-Furqan: 52]
This Makki verse refers to striving with the Qur’an, as fighting had not yet been legislated. This includes preaching, clarifying commandments, and responding to disbelievers' objections.
A hadith says:
"Strive against the polytheists with your wealth, lives, and tongues."
[Sahih: Abu Dawood: 2186]
Hence, Jihad by tongue means exposing plots and arguments of the enemies of Islam.
One verse contains both meanings:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ جَاهِدِ الْكُفَّارَ وَالْمُنَافِقِينَ...
[At-Tawbah: 73]
Imam Al-Shawkani رحمه الله said:
"Jihad against disbelievers means warfare, while Jihad against hypocrites means refutation and establishing proofs."
[Fath al-Qadeer: 2/462]
Ibn Hajar رحمه الله said:
"The essence of Jihad against disbelievers is obligatory upon every Muslim — either with his hand, tongue, wealth, or heart."
[Fath al-Bari: 6/38]
Even Fard Kifayah remains Fard ‘Ayn until it is fulfilled. Imam Al-Shawkani رحمه الله stated:
"The evidences in the Qur’an and Sunnah for the obligation of Jihad are numerous and undeniable. But it is Fard Kifayah — if some perform it, others are absolved. If not, then it becomes Fard ‘Ayn upon all capable individuals."
[As-Sayl al-Jarrar: 4/55]
For example, if someone is drowning and there are skilled swimmers nearby, if one saves him, the obligation is fulfilled. If none act, then all are blameworthy, regardless of whether it is a collective duty.
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori❖ Is Jihad Fard ‘Ayn or Fard Kifayah?
According to Islamic jurisprudence, Jihad is primarily Fard Kifayah, meaning a collective obligation. However, it becomes Fard ‘Ayn (an individual obligation) in three specific circumstances, as stated in Al-Mughni: 8/346:
❶ When Two Armies Confront Each Other
If two armies are facing each other in the battlefield, it becomes Fard ‘Ayn upon every present individual to remain firm and not retreat. In such a scenario, fleeing is prohibited, as Allah says in the Qur’an:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا زَحْفًا فَلَا تُوَلُّوهُمُ الْأَدْبَارَ…
[Al-Anfal: 15–16]
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
"Beware of the seven destructive sins."
Among them is: التولى يوم الزحف
"Turning away on the day of battle."
[Bukhari: 2766]
❷ When Disbelievers Invade a City
If non-Muslim forces attack a city, defending it becomes individually obligatory upon its residents. Imam Ibn Qudamah رحمه الله states:
"If the disbelievers descend upon a town, it becomes obligatory upon its inhabitants to fight and repel them."
[Al-Mughni: 8/346]
❸ When the Ruler Commands the People to Go Forth
If the leader of the Muslims gives a general call to arms, Jihad becomes individually obligatory upon everyone. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَا لَكُمْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ انفِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ...
[At-Tawbah: 38]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"If you are summoned, then go forth."
[Bukhari: 3077]
This is agreed upon by all jurists.
(For further reference: Bada’i al-Sana’i: p. 98; Tabyin al-Haqa’iq: 3/241; Fath al-Qadir: 4/278; Al-Durr al-Mukhtar: 3/239; Athar al-Harb: p. 87)
❖ Definitions of Fard ‘Ayn and Fard Kifayah
✦ Fard ‘Ayn
"A duty which every Muslim is individually responsible for, such as prayer and fasting."
✦ Fard Kifayah
"A collective duty such that if enough people perform it, the obligation is lifted from the rest. If no one performs it, all are sinful. Initially, the command applies to all, but the distinction lies in that Fard Kifayah is absolved by the performance of some, whereas Fard ‘Ayn is not."
[Al-Mughni: 8/345]
Example: Funeral prayer — if some perform it, others are not required; if no one does, all are sinful.
❖ Evidences for Jihad Being Fard Kifayah
① Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما said regarding:
إِلَّا تَنفِرُوا يُعَذِّبْكُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
[At-Tawbah: 39]
And also:
مَا كَانَ لِأَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ...
[At-Tawbah: 120]
These verses were later abrogated by:
وَمَا كَانَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لِيَنفِرُوا كَافَّةً...
[At-Tawbah: 122]
[Hasan: Sahih Abu Dawood: 2187]
② Imam Al-Tabari رحمه الله opined that:
إِلَّا تَنفِرُوا يُعَذِّبْكُمْ...
Might have been specific to the Prophet ﷺ.
[Tafsir al-Tabari: 11/7]
③ Hafiz Ibn Hajar رحمه الله stated:
The verse is specific (not abrogated).
[Fath al-Bari: 6/121]
④ The Prophet ﷺ sometimes went personally to battle, and at other times only sent troops without accompanying them.
[Al-Rawdah al-Nadiyyah: 2/715]
⑤ Allah says:
لَا يَسْتَوِي الْقَاعِدُونَ...
[An-Nisa: 95]
This implies that not all who refrain from Jihad are sinful.
⑥ Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, performs prayer, and fasts in Ramadan, Allah has made Paradise obligatory for him — whether he participated in Jihad or stayed in his hometown."
[Bukhari: 2790]
⑦ Zaid ibn Khalid رضي الله عنه narrated:
"Whoever equips a warrior has himself participated, and whoever supports a warrior’s family has also participated."
[Muslim: 1895]
⑧ Sahl ibn Hunaif رضي الله عنه narrated:
"Whoever sincerely asks Allah for martyrdom, Allah will grant him the rank of martyrs, even if he dies in bed."
[Muslim: 1909]
✦ Hanbali and Shafi’i scholars view Jihad as Fard Kifayah.
[Nayl al-Awtar: 4/679]
❖ Evidences for Jihad Being Fard ‘Ayn
① Allah commands:
انفِرُوا خِفَافًا وَثِقَالًا...
[At-Tawbah: 41]
② Warning of punishment:
إِلَّا تَنفِرُوا يُعَذِّبْكُمْ...
[At-Tawbah: 39]
③ Fighting is mandated:
كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ
[Al-Baqarah: 216]
④ Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ:
"Whoever dies without having fought or even intending to fight dies on a branch of hypocrisy."
[Muslim: 1910]
✦ Sa’eed ibn al-Musayyib رحمه الله considered Jihad to be Fard ‘Ayn.
[Al-Mughni: 8/345; Tafsir al-Qurtubi: 3/38]
❖ Summary: Two Meanings of Jihad in Quran and Sunnah
✦ Jihad Meaning Qital (Fighting):
انفِرُوا خِفَافًا وَثِقَالًا...
[At-Tawbah: 41]
This verse refers to armed combat.
✦ Jihad Meaning Effort for the Supremacy of Religion:
فَلَا تُطِعِ الْكَافِرِينَ وَجَاهِدْهُم بِهِ جِهَادًا كَبِيرًا
[Al-Furqan: 52]
This Makki verse refers to striving with the Qur’an, as fighting had not yet been legislated. This includes preaching, clarifying commandments, and responding to disbelievers' objections.
A hadith says:
"Strive against the polytheists with your wealth, lives, and tongues."
[Sahih: Abu Dawood: 2186]
Hence, Jihad by tongue means exposing plots and arguments of the enemies of Islam.
One verse contains both meanings:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ جَاهِدِ الْكُفَّارَ وَالْمُنَافِقِينَ...
[At-Tawbah: 73]
Imam Al-Shawkani رحمه الله said:
"Jihad against disbelievers means warfare, while Jihad against hypocrites means refutation and establishing proofs."
[Fath al-Qadeer: 2/462]
❖ Final Clarification
- If Jihad means armed fighting, then it is Fard Kifayah, except in the three specified cases when it becomes Fard ‘Ayn.
- If Jihad means striving for the religion’s dominance through other means (speech, writing, wealth), then it is Fard ‘Ayn on every Muslim, just like prayer.
Ibn Hajar رحمه الله said:
"The essence of Jihad against disbelievers is obligatory upon every Muslim — either with his hand, tongue, wealth, or heart."
[Fath al-Bari: 6/38]
❖ Important Note:
Even Fard Kifayah remains Fard ‘Ayn until it is fulfilled. Imam Al-Shawkani رحمه الله stated:
"The evidences in the Qur’an and Sunnah for the obligation of Jihad are numerous and undeniable. But it is Fard Kifayah — if some perform it, others are absolved. If not, then it becomes Fard ‘Ayn upon all capable individuals."
[As-Sayl al-Jarrar: 4/55]
For example, if someone is drowning and there are skilled swimmers nearby, if one saves him, the obligation is fulfilled. If none act, then all are blameworthy, regardless of whether it is a collective duty.
