Jihaad, the Muslim World, and Our Responsibility

Marmaduke Pickthall, a famous English revert to Islam, and Islamic scholar, mentions a hadith in one of his lectures noted in the book “The Cultural Side of Islam” that the Prophet (PBUH) says that “the ink of the scholar is holier than the blood of the martyr.” Although the narration of the hadith is classified to be “daeef”, it synchronizes with another sahih hadith where the Prophet (PBUH) says, “The virtue of the scholar over the worshiper is like my virtue over the least of you. Verily, Allah, his angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and earth, even the ant in his hole and the fish, send blessings upon the one who teaches people what is good.” When combined the two hadiths suggest that the work of a scholar of Islam is far greater, nobler, and exalted, as he supports the establishment of justice and peace through his acquired knowledge of life. So, he intellectually supports the truth. On the other hand, an Islamic warrior is one who physically fights against the enemy, at the expense of his life, so that eventually peace and justice prevail. So, according to the daeef hadith jihaad bil qalm is more exalted than jihaad bil qitaal. However, let us not forget that both forms of jihaad are fard, or obligatory upon all Muslims.

Muslim societies around the world suffer from an absence of both now. Muslim societies are neither striving for jihaad bil qalm nor jihad bil qitaal, and that is why we have contributed nothing in the way of establishing peace and justice in this world. Jihad was not only meant for the Muslim community’s protection from tyranny and oppression. Jihaad is for the human race. We must save everyone. However, we are at a point in time where we have become incapacitated to the point that we are quite literally incapable of helping our own Muslim brothers and sisters, let alone any non-Muslim communities.

Nevertheless, the Muslims that are not affected by war, and are in a position to help other Muslims, must do so, and simply giving a little donation here and there to humanitarian aid organizations is not enough. It is not enough because it cannot bring any significant changes in protecting the rights of human beings around the world. Our donations will only get them some food and some tents, but it cannot change the way people perceive reality. The manner in which the Jewish community has supported the genocide against Muslims only proves that their idea of the “Other” is unbelievably inhumane. They are worse than rats in their eyes. And it is not just the Palestinian Muslims that are suffering because of the inhumane and racist mindset of their oppressors. Kashmiri Muslims, Burmese Muslims, Syrian Muslims, Yemeni Muslims, Afghan Muslims, and Indian Muslims, all are facing the same issue; a belligerent, inhumane, and racist mindset and worldview. And, so, we must do jihaad.

The question is, how do we talk about jihad during a time when the Western world has made it such a controversial word and practice? How can you participate in alleviating brutal injustice from the lives of our brothers and sisters at a time when our own “Muslim” leaders do not want us to participate in jihad of any sort apart from just allowing some monetary help to reach the Muslims that are in need of it? Also, how do we go about it?

Pakistan was created with the intention that it would seek to not only establish a sovereign Islamic society, but part of the plan was also that it would actively support other Muslim nations, that need its help, too. Pakistan has historically been a critic of Israel, and a supporter of Palestine. Only recently it has supported the two-state solution. Our Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch claimed recently that Pakistan supports the Palestinians and urges for a two-state solution to resolve the continuing conflict. Mumtaz Zahra recently said, “The Palestinian populace deserves the right to live in an autonomous state within the delineated confines of June 4, 1967, with its capital situated in Al-Quds.” The statement makes it very clear that the current Pakistani government also believes in a two-state solution to the problem, as it is only advocating for the amount of land that Palestinians possessed up until 4^th June, 1967. Similarly, Pakistani military’s spokesperson Major General Babar Iftikhar has said that, “The stated position of the government of Pakistan on Israel and Palestine is fully supported by the armed forces”. It is therefore clear that the government in power and the current authority in the armed forces both think that the current genocide in Palestine should end via an agreement to create a two-state solution.

Israel’s encroachment upon Palestinian land was an attempt to colonize a thriving community, and it should be treated as such. The Jewish assertion that that was their land 2000 years ago does not make sense either, for in that case America should be returned to the Red Indians, and Australia to the Aboriginal people. In fact, since the Muslim community believes that Adam was a prophet of Allah, and so Adam was a Muslim by that standard, all of the world belongs to the Muslim community, because originally a Muslim inherited the Earth, and we should fight to reclaim our right to inherit planet Earth.

The last point was not made in jest, rather the believers of Allah should have the spiritual characteristics of Allah’s followers, so that they can set out to establish peace and justice within their lands, and in the world beyond their own lands. Pakistani government and the establishment have not been enthusiastic about playing an important role in putting an end to the injustices Muslims have to face around the world, let alone other marginalized communities.

In the wake of such confusing, painful, and horrific circumstances, the commoners (those not in places of power) can play a very important role. It seems as though the time for the arrival of the Mahdi is just around the corner. We hope so, too. One thing that we can do under the circumstances where we cannot go for jihad of our own will, is that we can make sure that before the time and the chance to join the glorious army of Imam Mahdi arrive, we ensure that we are fully prepared for battle, or we are prepared to battle to the best of our potential. That means every individual must consciously prepare oneself spiritually and physically to join the fight against evil in the future. That would involve a deep dive into the teachings of the Quran and hadiths, strenuous physical exercises along with maintaining a very healthy diet.

In order to fuel our body, we need protein and carbohydrates, along with vitamins and minerals. Those can be incorporated into our diet through green vegetables, rice, and eggs. Make sure you include them in your diet every now and then. Apart from those, try to eat as many dried fruits like walnuts and almonds as possible. In fact, consuming silajit and milk, along with vitamin D would be a good way of preserving and maintaining the condition of your bones.

Additionally, learn some fitness exercises that would enable you to endure much physical exertion in case you are blessed enough to be a part of the great war between Muslims and all the forces of evil in the near future. For instance, in order to achieve a basic level of fitness, try 20 squats, followed by 10 lunges; then get a pair of dumbbells and do 30 bicep curls, 30 overhead presses, and 30 lateral raises daily. This should, inshaAllah put you in good shape in the next few months.

However, what is the point of building a good physique when you cannot use that strength to protect the weak, the vulnerable, and the oppressed? And let us not ignore that one can only be highly motivated to help others when one is properly grounded in the teachings of Islam.

One thing we can observe very clearly in our society is that Muslims are unaware of their deen, and are unaware of their role in global affairs. Let us consider some parts of the Holy Quran to decipher how important it is for Muslims to fight against oppression and evil forces. In the Holy Quran, Allah says:

“And what reason have you not to fight in the way of Allah and for the oppressed among men and women and children who say: Our Lord! take us forth from the town whereof the people are oppressors and grant us from Thee a friend and grant us from Thee a helper” (iv. 75).

“Those who believe fight in the way of Allah and those who disbelieve fight in the way of devil. So fight against the friends of Satan; verily weak indeed is the strategy of the devil” (iv. 76).

“O you who believe, when you meet an enemy, be firm, and remember Allah much, that you may be successful. And obey Allah and His Apostle. And fall with no disputes, lest ye falter and your strength fail; but be steadfast! For Allah is with those who patiently persevere. Be not as those who came forth from their dwellings boastfully. And to be seen of men and debar (men) from the way of Allah. And Allah encompasses what they do” (viii. 45-46).

That is why let us mention some important hadiths here that would help to clarify what we can do in our present circumstances.

Narrated Abdullah bin Umar: Allah’s Apostle said, A Muslim is a brother to another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor…” Vol 3, Book 43, Number 622.

Abu Saeed al Khudree said: I heard the Messenger of Allah PBUH say “Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then (let him change it) with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith.” (Muslim)

On the authority of Abu Bakr, the Messenger of Allah says, “Indeed when people see an oppressor but do not prevent him from doing evil, it is likely that Allah will punish them all.”

It is quite obvious from the verses of the Quran and from the hadiths that fighting against oppression is an obligation upon all Muslims. Muslims are the only people on Earth with an ideology that is not steeped in racism and inequality. Therefore, we are the only people who can save people from themselves and from the oppression of others. Hopefully, many of us end up preparing and contributing for the glorious spiritual battle that is hopefully not too far away.