The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 69
II - Commencement of Jihād by the Sword & Fundamental Discussion on Jihād 69 “O ye who believe! establish equity and justice in the world for the sake of Allāh; and let not a people’s enmity incite you to act unjustly towards them. Rather, be always just and equitable, even with your enemy, for justice and equity are requirements of virtue. And fear Allāh. And remember that Allāh closely watches over your deeds. ” 1 Some Fundamental Narrations Relevant to Jihād by the Sword The above is an exposition by the Holy Qur’ān, and after a Qur’ānic elaboration there remains no need for any further explanation. However, in the consideration that lest a person be led to doubt that perhaps the general historical account is at odds with the Qur’ān, at this juncture, it seems appropriate to include such narrations as shed fundamental light on the initial wars of Islām. Thus, it is narrated that the Holy Prophet sa would say to the Companions: ألُوا اللّٰه َ الْعَافِیَة َ فَاِذَا لَقِیْتُمُوْھُم ْ فَاصْبِرُوْا ا ْ یٰاَیُّھَاالنَّاس ُ لَا تَتَمَنَّوْا لِقَاء َ الْعَدُو ِّ وَاس “O ye Muslims! you should not desire to fight the enemy, and remain desirous of the peace and security of God. If however, contrary to your desire, you are compelled to fight an enemy then demonstrate steadfastness. ” 2 This clearly substantiates that despite the fact that an announcement of war had been made by the disbelievers, the Holy Prophet sa had accepted their challenge and that war had begun, the Muslims were still ordered not to desire fighting even in the sub-conflicts of this war. Albeit, if they were confronted by the enemy, then they should fight valiantly. Then it is narrated: ُ سُئِل َ رَسُوْل ُ اللّٰه ِ صَلَّی اللّٰه ُ عَلَیْه ِ وَسَلَّم َ عَن ِ الرَّجُل ِ یُقَاتِل ُ شُجَاعَة ً وَیُقَاتِل ُ حَمِیَّة ً وَیُقَاتِل 1 Al-Mā’idah (5:9) 2 * Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Jihād Was-Siyar, Bābu Kānan-Nabiyyu sa Idhā Lam Yuqātil Awwalan- Nahār…. . , Ḥadīth No. 2966 * Ṣaḥīḥu Muslim, Kitābul-Jihād Was-Siyar, Bābu Karāhati Tamannī Liqā’il-‘Aduwwi…. . , Ḥadīth No. 4542 * Sunanu Abī Dāwūd, Kitābul-Jihād, Bābu Fī Karāhati Tamannī Liqā’il-‘Aduwwi, Ḥadīth No. 2631