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Question:
“…No Prophet [has] ever started Jihaad (i.e. fighting with the sword) until,
and unless, he had set up and established an Islaamic State. But we have still
not been able to set one up. [So we cannot perform Jihaad until then. Is this
not so?]”
Response:
You have claimed that no Prophet ever started Jihaad with the sword until – and
unless – he had succeeded in establishing an Islaamic State first, and that, as
we have not yet been successful in establishing this, how then can we start
Jihaad with the sword?…
As
regards the foregoing Prophets and their Ummahs, any detailed and authorized
account of their affairs is missing. So to ascribe anything to them is simply to
make a claim that cannot ever be proven. And even if we know full well their
affairs, we should not be forgetful of the fact that we are of the Ummah of
Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and that his way of life alone can be,
and should be the model for us. So I shall base my arguments on – and prove my
standpoint from – the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
It
is a proven and established fact that the revelation of Islaamic dictates
occurred through a gradual process that took twenty-three years to complete.
Some of these dictates and injunctions were given in Makkah and some in Madeenah.
And the Muslims followed them as they were revealed. But, once they were given,
they were – and are – to be followed by the Muslims undeviatingly and faithfully
until the Day of Judgement, the only exception [in any particular situation]
being that which is manifested in the following verses of the Holy Qur’aan:
Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope (and capacity). (Al-Baqarah: 286)
So
keep your duty to Allaah, and fear Him as much as you can. (Al-Taghabun: 16)
Now, we cannot deviate from, or suspend, the enactment of a dictate or an
injunction on the pretext that it was revealed, or enforced, after the
establishment of the Islaamic State in Madeenah, [that is to say; it is not
permissible to declare a particular act that was revealed whilst the Islaamic
State existed, null and void now, simply because there is no longer an Islaamic
State anywhere in the world. For if we follow this logic, it will lead to some
very odd conclusions.
Let us consider the following facts:
1)
The Adhaan (call for Prayer), Iqaamah (call for Congregational prayer) and the
Congregational Prayers, were made obligatory only after the establishment of the
Islaamic State in Madeenah.
2)
Zakaat, Sakaqaat and Ushr (poor-due and alms etc) were also made obligatory only
after the establishment of the Islaamic State.
3)
Fasting in Ramadhaan was made obligatory when the Islaamic State was in the
second half of its second year.
4)
Alcoholic drinks were forbidden in the sixth or seventh year of the Islaamic
State.
5)
Mut’a (marriage valid for a stipulated period) was made unlawful only at the
conquest of Khyber when the Islaamic State had successfully completed it’s sixth
year.
6)
The Domestic donkey was also declared Haraam (forbidden) at the same time (i.e.
at the conquest of Khyber).
7)
The verses banning and forbidding usury and interest (reeba) were the last ones
revealed to Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in about 10 A.H.
In Saheeh Bukhari, it has been reported from Ibn ‘Abbas (radhiallaahu ‘anhu)
that,
“The very last verse that was revealed to Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam) was that pertaining to (the prohibition of) usury and
interest.”(Tafseer Ibn-i-Katheer Vol. 1, p. 275)
Now, following the aforementioned logic, we can safely conclude that; as an
Islaamic State no longer exists – in the present times – anywhere in the world,
it means that:
1)
The Adhaan, Iqaamah and the congregational Prayers are now no longer obligatory.
2)
Zakaat and Ushr have also lost their obligatory status.
3)
We need not fast in the month of Ramadhaan.
4)
Alcoholic drinks are now quite lawful, and no restriction nor penalties can be
imposed on the Muslim who uses them.
5)
Mut’a also at present, can be ‘enjoyed’ freely.
6)
The meat of the domestic donkey can also be relished.
7)
Business transactions based on interest and usury (reeba) are also quite lawful.
Permit me to further this logic:
It
can also be said, that even if an Islaamic State comes into existence, that:
1)
Alcoholic drinks shall remain Halaal (Lawful and permissible) until six more
years pass.
2)
Mut’a shall remain Lawful for about the same period.
3)
The meat of the donkey shall remain Halaal until ten more years pass.
4)
Penalties for Zeena (Illegal and illicit sexual relations), theft, slander and
libel shall remain suspended for as many years as they were not enforced by
Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) after the establishment of
the Islaamic State in Madeenah.
Almost this same logic is followed by those people who say that it is not proper
to impose the penalty for committing Zeena until, and unless, the society is
reformed morally, and that it is wrong to cut off the hands of a thief without
eliminating poverty and bringing the members of a society to a common economic
level.
No, my brother – this is no logic to follow.
It
makes no difference whether an order was passed, or an injunction made, or a
thing was declared obligatory or unlawful and forbidden, before orafter the
establishment of the Islaamic State;
Whatever has been declared obligatory, shall remain so ’till the Hour is
established. And we are to perform these obligations whenever we have the
capacity. Similarly, whatever has been forbidden, whether before or after the
establishment of the Islaamic State, is, and shall remain forbidden forever.
And such is the position concerning Jihaad.
There is no doubt, that it was made obligatory gradually. For, at first, the
Muslims were not allowed to fight. But then at Madeenah it was – first of all –
made simply permissible to fight, and then finally fighting was made obligatory.
But, once it was declared obligatory, it was, is, and shall remain obligatory
’till the Day of Judgement…
Those who want to flee from this obligation have invented many excuses;
Sometimes they say that it is not lawful to fight, or perform Jihaad with the
sword ’till the establishment of the Islaamic State. Sometimes they express the
opinion that it is not permissible to fight without a Khaleefah. And sometimes
they remark that it is not permissible to fight when our number is so
inadequate. But none of these reasons forms a genuine excuse for giving up
Jihaad.
From the Time that Allaah Declared it so, Jihaad will remain Obligatory ’till
the Hour is Established
Jabir Bin Samrah reported that Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
said: “This Religion (i.e. Islaam) will never cease to exist, and a group of
people (Usba) from amongst the Muslims will continue to fight for its protection
until the Hour is established.” (Muslim)
Al-Qamus, an authentic lexicon of the Arabic language explains the meaning of ‘Usba’
thus:
‘Usba’
is a group of people, horses, or birds that consist of 10 to 40 members. ‘Usaabah’
implies the same meaning.
This Hadeeth of Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) decides the
matter (and the reality) – once and for all:
Jihaad – whether or not there exists an Islaamic State – will never cease.
Muslims will continue to perform this obligation whether they are with a large
army, or with a group of only ten or twenty people. And if the existence of an
Islaamic State or a Khaleefah is declared necessary for the performance of this
duty, then we cannot continue – at present – to fight for the Cause of Allaah (Ta’aala)
because in these days, neither does there exist an Islaamic State nor any
Khaleefah. And if we discontinue the performance of Jihaad on this pretext, what
explanation can be offered for the above-mentioned saying of Allaah’s Messenger
(sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)?!…
Let me know whether you consider this prediction, made by the Prophet (sallallaahu
‘alayhi wa sallam), to be True or false!…
The above discussion proves sufficiently that the existence of an Islaamic State
or Khaleefah is not necessary – in these days when they do not exist – for the
performance of Jihaad.
This principle also applies in the case of a Muslim who cannot find even a
single companion to stand by him… he is allowed to go on fighting alone.
For Allaah, the Almighty has said:
“Then fight (O Muhammad) in the Cause of Allaah, you are not tasked (held
responsible) except for yourself, and incite the believers (to fight along with
you).” (An-Nisa: 84)
In
the year 6 A.H. Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) made a Peace
Treaty with the disbeliever’s in Makkah that was to remain valid for ten years.
The Peace Treaty consisted of many clauses, including one that was quite
distressing for the Muslims which said that, if a Makkan embraced Islaam and
went to Allaah’s Messenger to seek shelter, he would be handed back to the
Makkans… After making this treaty, Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam) returned to Madeenah.
Now, it so happened that in Makkah a young Quraishi by the name of Abu Basir,
embraced Islaam and went to Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
in Madeenah. The Makkans sent two men to Madeenah in order to bring him back.
And Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) [in compliance with the
treaty], delivered him to them. On the way back to Makkah, they camped at Zul
Halaifah and started eating dates. Abu Basir addressed one of them and said,
“[I swear] by Allaah, you possess an amazingly bright and fine sword. Can I have
a look at it?”
It
was handed over to him, and at once, Abu Basir put the Makkan to the sword. The
second one fled and went straight to Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam). Running as he entered the Masjid, Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam) saw him and said that he seemed to be frightened. The man approached
the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and said,
“[I swear] by Allaah! My companion has been killed and I am also in fear of
being killed.”
Abu Basir – who had been chasing the man – approached the Masjid. Allaah’s
Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“He would start a war, if he had some others to stand by him.”
Upon hearing the Prophet’s words, Abu Basir believed that he would be
handed-back over to the enemy. So he fled from Madeenah until he reached the
seacoast on the way to Syria. Abu Jandal Bin Suhail – another Makkan newly
converted to Islaam – who was being persecuted in Makkah at the hands of the
Disbelievers, also managed to escape and joined Abu Basir. After this, it became
routine, that whosoever entered into the fold of Islaam, from among the
Quraishies (of Makkah), would escape and join Abu Basir. And this kept on
happening until they managed to form a fair-sized group (usaaba).
I
swear by Allaah! Whenever they learnt that a caravan of the Makkans was on its
way to Syria, they would fall upon it, killing the men and snatching their
goods. The Makkans, finding themselves quite helpless before them, begged
Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) by Allaah, and by their ties
of kinship to do away with that particular clause [in the Peace Treaty] and to
send a message to Abu Basir and his companions that whosoever approaches him
(i.e. Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)) would be guaranteed
peace and safety. So Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) sent
them the message to this effect. (Saheeh Bukhari, with reference to
Mishkawat-ul-Masaabih, Kitaab-us-Sulh)
The Hadeeth cited above informs us that,
1)
Abu Basir started fighting against the disbelievers – alone – and without
waiting for any companions to join him. Afterwards he had some companions to
stand by him, whereafter they became engaged in guerrilla warfare. And this very
act of his was quite in accordance with Allaah’s Command:
“Then fight (O Muhammad) in the cause of Allaah, you are not tasked (held
responsible) except for yourself, and incite the Believers (to fight along with
you).” (An-Nisa; 84)
The first time he took to the sword was with a view to defending himself, and
saving his life. Afterwards, he himself, started attacking the disbelievers. In
other words, he began launching offensives against the enemy.
2)
Abu Basir did not carry out these activities under the command of a Khaleefah
because Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) had handed him over
to the Makkans [in accordance with the treaty]. He himself was his own commander
when he – alone – put one of his enemies to death, as well as afterwards when he
lead his companions to launch offensives [against the Kuffaar], and to engage in
guerilla activities.
3)
He could not find refuge in the Islaamic State of Madeenah. This first Islaamic
State rather, refused to extend help to him because it had entered into a Peace
Treaty with the enemy, and it is quite plain that he was not yet able to
establish an Islaamic State of his own. Despite this, he went on fighting and
gradually he had strength enough to defend himself, as well as strength enough
to give refuge and protection to the oppressed Muslims [who were arriving from
Makkah]. He subdued and humiliated the disbeliever’s to an extent that they,
finding themselves quite helpless before him and his companions, had no other
option than to do away with the inhuman clause which they themselves had
demanded to be included in the treaty.
4)
Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did not condemn the
activities of Abu Basir, rather, by keeping silent he, in fact, seconded them.
To
sum up; the episode relating to Abu Basir, sufficiently and categorically proves
that a Believer is quite free to start a war against the disbelievers,
particularly when it is with a view to saving his own life. The establishment of
an Islaamic State and the existence of a Khaleefah cannot be regarded as
necessary conditions for it. If it is so, that a Believer hasn’t anyone to lead
him, then he himself may become his own leader, and his own commander.
Those waiting for the fulfillment of these self-imposed conditions (i.e. The
Islaamic State, Khaleefah etc…) are bound to lose their freedom, honour, lives
and property…
And Allaah Knows Best.
The Islaamic State and the Khaleefah – in the time of Ibn Taymeeyah – owed their
re-establishment and [continued] existence to Jihaad. In Muharram 656 A.H. the
Tartars invaded Baghdad, devastated the whole city and put to death the
Khaleefah, Motesam Billaah. For three and a half years (until Rajab 659 A.H.)
the Muslims had no Khaleefah. If they had given up Jihaad on the pretext that it
was not permissible in the absence of a Khaleefah, then they would have been
wiped out from the world forever. But they continued fighting against the
Tartars in small groups, or as was possible for them ’till they defeated the
Tartars several times at various places, and at last they succeeded, not only in
shielding themselves, but also in restoring the institution of the Khilaafah by
appointing a new Khaleefah.
Shaykh ul-Islaam, Imaam Ibn Taymeeyah (rahimahullaah) said that those who fought
the Tartars are the blessed people to whom fits the following prediction made by
the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam):
“A
group of people from my Ummah will always remain triumphant on the Right Path
and continue to be triumphant (against their opponents). He who deserts them
shall not be able to do them any harm. [And] they will remain (triumphant) ’till
Allaah’s Commandment is executed (i.e. Qiyaamah is established).” (Majmooh
Fataawa Shaykh ul-Islaam Ibn Taymeeyah page 416, 531 Volume 28)
To
tell the Truth, now that the Khilaafah has ceased to exist, and there is no
Truly Islaamic State to be seen, Jihaad is – in reality – the only auspicious
thing that re-kindles the hope for and assures – and insures – the restoration
and re-establishment of both the Khilaafah and the Islaamic State.