BENEFIT 270: Offensive Jihad Comes With Two Conditions

Sheikh Fawzān ḥafidhahullāh states: "Jihad (i.e. Offensive jihad) has conditions. First, Muslims must possess the strength and means to engage in combat with disbelievers. They should be equipped and prepared for such confrontation. If Muslims lack readiness, are in a weakened state, or if their opponents are significantly stronger, and fighting would result in severe harm to the Muslim community, then in such a situation, combat is impermissible, as the harms outweigh the good, leading to the enemy dominating the Muslims. This principle is illustrated by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who spent thirteen years in Makkah solely calling others to Islam. During this time, the Muslims faced persecution and hardship, yet they were not commanded to engage in combat. Instead, Allah instructed them to withhold their hands from fighting, to exercise patience, and to endure suffering until Allah decreed otherwise... { أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِینَ قِیلَ لَهُمۡ كُفُّوۤا۟ أَیۡدِیَكُمۡ وَأَقِیمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ} "Have you ˹O Prophet˺ not seen those who had been told, “Do not fight! Rather, establish prayer and pay Zakah.”?" [Surah An-Nisāʾ: 77] This was in Makkah. They were commanded to withhold from fighting and engage in Da'wah. However, when the Prophet ﷺ migrated from Makkah and Islam had spread and the Muslims gained strength, they were commanded by Allah to engage in jihad. This directive was issued when the Muslims had attained sufficient strength and readiness to carry out such a task. This is not exclusive to the early era of Islam but is applicable for Muslims until the end of time. If they possess strength and ability, they are obligated to call others to Islam and engage in jihad. However, if they lack the necessary strength, their focus should remain solely on calling others to Islam, postponing jihad until they are capable. Engaging in combat without adequate strength only exposes them to dominance and harm by their enemies... The second condition for jihad is that it must be conducted under a unified leadership and not in a state of disorder, where every individual or group takes up arms independently. This is not permissible in Islam. Such [disunity] is harmful, harming Muslims themselves before harming the enemy, as the Muslims would be at odds with one another, each group seeking dominance. History has shown that when groups fight against a common enemy but lack a unified command, internal conflicts often emerge after the enemy's defeat, with each faction seeking authority for itself. You all know this, I don't need to give examples. This is the outcome of not fighting under one unified leadership, under one imaam... Thus, Islam requires that jihad be conducted under a unified banner. That is why he ﷺ said: "[Fight] with every [legitimate] leader"; the recognised leader of the Muslims who organises, oversees, prepares, and arms them appropriately. The presence of a legitimate leader is essential, as jihad without such authority typically ends in failure. The Prophet’s instruction to “[fight] with every [legitimate] leader” underscores the necessity of having a recognised leader under whose command jihad is conducted. _____ Difference between offensive and defensive jihad ⤵️ https://t.me/madrasatuna/3108