Library Ethics Greater Sins Chapter 29 Avoidin Jihad Initiated Jihad and Jihad in defence
Initiated Jihad and Jihad in defence
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Initiated Jihad and Jihad in defence
Jihad is of two types:
(1) Initiated Jihad
(2) Jihad in defence
The first kind is that when the Muslims undertake a war against the unbelievers to invite them to Islam or for establishing justice. However, the permission of the Holy Prophet (S), the Holy Imams (a.s.) or their special representatives is a necessary prerequisite of this type of Jihad. Since the present period is of Major occultation this type of Jihad is forbidden.
Jihad in defence, as the name implies, pertains to circumstances when unbelievers attack Muslim territories or areas for obliterating Islamic heritage or for plundering the wealth and honour of Muslims. Under such conditions it is Wajib al-Kifai[9] to undertake Jihad and repel their attack. For this type of Jihad the express permission of the Imam (a.s.) or his special deputy is not necessary.
There is a difference of opinion regarding flight from the battlefield. Some scholars are of the opinion that it pertains only to those wars that have been waged against the unbelievers under the order of the Holy Imam (a.s.) or his special deputy. (For example, exemption from Ghusl and Shroud to the martyr also pertains to this Jihad). Other doctors of religion maintain that the decree applies to both the kinds of Jihad. Those who wish to study this problem in detail can refer to the books of Jihad or the books of jurisprudence.
While discussing the prohibition of flight it would be most appropriate to discuss the steadfastness of Amir ul-Mu’minÄ«n ‘Ali (a.s.) on the battlefield. Such incidents have been included in discussions extolling the merits of ‘Ali (a.s.). Neither the Shia nor the Sunni historical books mention even a single instance when ‘Ali (a.s.) turned his back to a battle. Even in the battle of Ohud he was the only one who did not flee. In the ninth volume of BihÄr al-AnwÄr, under the chapter of “Bravery” a narration has been recorded from Ibn Masud, concerning ‘Ali (a.s.). Four of those who had run away from the battle of Ohud returned and again came to the Holy Prophet (S). They were Abu Dajana, Miqdad, Talha and Musayb. After this the rest of the Ansar came back. Thus it were these people who had deserted the Holy Prophet (S). All the companions had left the Holy Prophet (S) alone on the battlefield except ‘Ali (a.s.). ‘Ali (a.s.) was fighting in the midst of the polytheists to defend Islam and the Prophet of Islam (S).
During the battle of AhzÄb, the Holy Prophet (S) bestowed ‘Ali (a.s.) with the titles of “The vicious attacker” and “the non-receeder.” That is, the one who attacks the enemies with vengeance and does not recede an inch. There is no doubt that ‘Ali (a.s.) was imbued with all these qualities. Whereas, history is a witness that other companions like Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman had fled from numerous battlefields like Ohud, Khaibar, Hunain and Dhat-SalÄsil. Ibn Abil al-Hadid the Mutazalite has penned the following couplet in his famous book:
“It is not surprising that Abu Bakr fled from Hunain. He had also deserted the battle in Khaibar and Ohud.”
Notes:
[9] Wajib al-Kifai means that if some person undertakes to fulfill an obligation, others need not.
