Through Force or Faith? — Page 133
Chapter 2 — Islamic Teachings about Jihad 133 until when the infidels of Makkah came several hundred miles to mount an attack on them. Under these circumstances, the Holy Prophet Muhammad s as ultimately had to fight different battles having no other choice. On account of these circumstances, he received the revelation from God that he should defend against these infidels who have come into the battlefield with the sword entirely in transgression and belligerence. ْمِهِراَيِد ِرْيَغِب ٍّقَح ۤاَّلِا ْنَا اْوُلْوُقَّي اَنُّبَر ُهّٰللا١ؕ َنِذُا َنْيِذَّلِل َنْوُلَتٰقُي ْمُهَّنَاِب اْوُمِلُظ١ؕ َو َّنِا َهّٰللا ىٰلَع ْمِهِرْصَن ُرْيِدَقَل َنْيِذَّل۟ا اْوُجِرْخُا ْنِم Permission to fight is given to those against whom war is made, because they have been wronged—and Allah indeed has power to help them— Those who have been driven out from their homes unjustly only because they said, ‘Our Lord is Allah’. ( S u rah al- H ajj, 22:40–41) And this way, striving with the sword had its beginning. If even at that time, and under those circumstances, its permission had not been granted, social and religious peace would have been utterly destroyed, as is clearly stated by Allah, the Exalted. ُرَكْذُي اَهْيِف ُمْسا ِهّٰللا اًرْيِثَك١ؕ َو َّنَرُصْنَيَل ُهّٰللا ْنَم ٗهُرُصْنَّي١ؕ َّنِا َهّٰللا ٌّيِوَقَل ٌزْيِزَعَو ْوَل اَل ُعْفَد ِهّٰللا َساَّنلا ْمُهَضْعَب ٍضْعَبِب ْتَمِّدُهَّل ُعِماَوَص َو ٌعَيِب َّو ٌتٰوَلَص َّو ُدِجٰسَم And if Allah did not repel some men by means of others, there would surely have been pulled down cloisters and churches and synagogues and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is oft commemorated. And Allah will surely help one who helps Him. Allah is indeed Powerful, Mighty. ( S u rah al- H ajj, 22:41)