3. 01. THE STRUGGLE FOR DEFENSE (to continue)

God says

… Thus, if anyone commits aggression against you, attack him just as he has attacked you – but remain conscious of God, and know that God is with those who are conscious of Him.* -- Q2:194
* Thus, although the believers are enjoined to fight back whenever they are attacked, the concluding words of the above verse make it clear that they must, when fighting, abstain from all atrocities, including the killing of non-combatants.

“… oppression is more awesome than killing.”… Q.2:217

Whoever rallies to a good cause shall have a share in its blessings; and whoever rallies to an evil cause shall be answerable for his part in it: for, indeed, God watches over everything. -- Q4:85

O you who have attained to faith, when you meet a force in battle, be firm, and remember God often, so that you might attain to a happy state. -- Q.8:45

….strive hard in God’s cause* with your possessions and your lives: this is for your own good – if you but knew it! -- Q9:41
* “In God’s way” or in “God’s cause”-- that is, in the cause of ethical principles ordained by God.


Prophet said

“Fighting in the way of God atones for everything except debt” – H: Muslim. N: Abdullah-b-Amr

“None of those entering Paradise would like to come back and have what is on earth except a martyr. He will wish to return to this world and be martyred ten times on account of the honour he sees (after martyrdom)” – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Anas

Please always remember to use the honorifics.
After name or title of the Prophet say: “Sal-lal- lahu ‘Alaihi wa Sal-lam”;
(peace and blessings be upon him)
After the name or the title of every prophet (nabi) and apostle (rasul) say:
“ ‘Alai hissalaam” (peace be upon him or them)
After the name of their family member, as well as a companion, say:
“Radi Allahu ‘Anhu—or ‘Anha—or ‘Anhum ”
(may God be pleased with him--or her--or them)
And for others, say: “Rahmat-Allah-e-‘Alaih”
(God’s mercy be upon him)

Introduction to topics 1 to 7 (concluded)

The objective of peace was never lost sight of. The Prophet of Islam not only agreed for truce on equal terms but even if any humiliating condition was imposed, as was the case in the truce of Hudabiya, he readily accepted it. “….and who, whenever tyranny afflicts them, defend themselves. But [remember that any attempt at] requiting evil may, too, become an evil:” cautions the Quran in 42:39,40 “hence whoever pardons [his foe] and makes peace, his reward rests with God – for He does not love evildoers.” I.e.,those who give in to the temptation of indulging in under acts of revenge against their former oppressors.

In addition, for strict adherence to humanitarian behaviour and never giving in to excess, Islam established code of conduct in warfare. For the first time, distinction between noncombatants and combatants was clearly established: “fight in God’s cause against those who wage war against you,” the Quran says, “but do not commit aggression – for, indeed, God does not like aggressors” (2:190). This, as well as verse 2:194 cited last week, absolutely banned killing of noncombatants under all circumstances; killing or in any way hurting of women, children, the elderly, the sick, as well as monks, rabbis and diplomats was strictly forbidden, as was demolishing of churches, synagogues, cloisters and mosques and destruction of the dwellers of unresisting inhabitants and means of their subsistence; prohibited was any kind of sexual violence and the mutilation of the dead and torture of prisoners of wars; ( the Prophet had even instructed to feed and to clothe prisoners of war as the captors ate and clothed themselves) --- regulations that were all eventually included into the modern international laws of war.

Quite clearly, the widespread misconception that Islam places to the un-believers the alternatives of “conversion or the sword” is absolutely erroneous. Quran disposes it further by the verdict that “There shall be no coercion in matters of faith” (Q.2:256). Forcible conversion is under all circumstances null and void. “Do you think you can compel people to believe” says the Quran (10:99). Further, man who is made fully aware of the consequence, is left free to use his God-given reason as well as freedom of moral choice: “The truth [has now come] from your Lord”, Quran says in 18:29: “let, then, him who wills, believe in it and let him who wills, reject it”. Believers are even asked to say to those who do not believe: “Unto you your religion, and unto me, mine” (109:6).

Go through the entire Qur'an and you will understand that in Quranic terms Jihad stands for 'Peaceful Ideological Struggle'. The few verses giving permission to war in defense apply only when condition of war already exists.

In addition, Islam gives permission to declare war for defense only to the State and not to any individual or organization.

Introduction to topics 1 to 7 (to be continued)

The object of Islam is peace. Peace with self and peace with others. For peace with self, one must fight with one’s baser instincts: this being the greater fight, as the Prophet of Islam said.

Fight to restore peace against self is called `Jihad’, (misinterpreted by media as aggression) an Arabic word derived from ‘Jahadoon’ meaning to strive or struggle. For instance, “Whoever strives hard does so for his own soul”(29:6) and further on, “Those who strive hard in our cause”, the Quran says, “We shall certainly guide them onto paths that lead unto Us: for, behold, God is indeed with the doers of good.”(29:69) According to the Prophet, “cleanliness, prayers, and worshipping of God with perseverance, is your Jihad in God’s cause ” and, “One who strives for the widows and the poor”, the Prophet said, “is like one who struggles in the way of God”.

Quranic view of Jihad against others is clearly expressed in 25:52 “strive hard against them, by means of this [i.e., the Quran], with utmost striving”, and the way to do it is expressed in 4:63 “speak to them a word to reach their very soul”. Quran does propose a peaceful and positive change. For that it appeals to the intellect of man. There are more than seven hundred verses inviting man to think and ponder , many more than verses for does and don’ts.

For maintaining peace with others, however, even if one has to fight for defense against any aggressor, Islam gives permission to do so -- “permission to fight is given”, the Quran says, “to those against whom war is being wrongfully waged” (22:39). It constitutes the earliest (and therefore fundamental) Quranic reference to fight, undoubtedly for self defense. This rule of defensive character of a fight has been maintained throughout the Quran as the only possible justification of war: “Thus, if anyone commits aggression against you,” Quran makes it explicit in 2:194 “attack him just as he has attacked you – but remain conscious of God,” i.e., when fighting for your defense, abstain from all atrocities, including the killing of non-combatants.

2.41. SELF DEFENCE

God says

“… oppression is more awesome than killing.”… Q.2:217

No human being can die save by God’s leave at a term pre-ordained… Q3:145

Yet indeed, as for any who defend themselves after having been wronged – no blame whatever attaches to them: blame attaches but to those who oppress [other] people and behave outrageously on earth, offending against all right: for them there is grievous suffering in store! -- Q.42:41,42


Prophet said

“….on the Resurrection Day God will increase honour of one who pardons an oppressor, seeking thereby the pleasure of God..” – H: Tirmizi. N: Abu Kabsha ‘Aamiri.

“A mischief monger (causing discord) shall not enter paradise.” -- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Huzaifah.

END OF SECTION 2

Friday posting of Sections 1 and 2 is completed while hoping that the Word of God and His Apostle would enlighten those who send it and as well as those who receive it; and that it would result in them a growing realization of living in the sight of God. With the same hope, InshaAllah section 3 will commence next Friday.