True Men Are Known In Hardship

'...Those who gave Bay’at ar-Ridwān beneath the tree at Hudaybiyah were 1,400 men. When was this? It was in Dhu al-Qi’dah 6 AH. When the treaty was solidified and Quraysh stood aside and held back from fighting the Messenger of Allāh [saw], only then did people begin entering Islam, as they had previously been afraid of Quraysh.

So, Quraysh had a treaty with the Messenger of Allāh and held back from fighting him, and waves of people saw this as their chance to become Muslims even if Quraysh didn’t like this. So, they became Muslims. Those who came did so 21 months after the Treaty of Hudaybiyah. What happened after this? The conquest of Makkah.

Those who came to conquer Makkah with the Messenger were 10,000. This means that how many people had become Muslim in the time leading up to this? At least 8,500 or 8,600 in the two years of peace had decided to enter Islam. Why? There are people in society who like you. However, they will not dare to help you if the government is angry with you. Isn’t this so?

Believe me, during the time that Egypt was unleashing its wrath on Sayyid Qutb and his family, nobody was able to lend them even a single dirham at a time when the women in the family could not even afford the cost of their weekly visits to Sayyid and Muhammad Qutb. They wouldn’t dare. I heard them saying: “The people have cut themselves off from us. We went to some people to borrow money from, our friends. They said “We don’t know you. Don’t come to us, and we won’t come to you.”

…So, as a dā’i, if you stand up to the government, the only ones who will stand by you are those who are ready for death or some sort of sacrifice. True men are known in times of hardship. No dā’i will stand by you unless he is willing to give up his family, children, wealth, and job…So, nobody will stand by you in harsh circumstances except true men, and they are few – men who live by their beliefs and have principles they stick to.

When the Messenger made the pact with Quraysh, over 8,500 became Muslim in the less than two years that followed. And when Quraysh was defeated in Ramadan of 8 AH and Hawāzin was defeated after them in Shawwal of 8 AH, only then did the delegations begin coming to Hunayn from all corners of the Arabian Peninsula to enter Islam in waves: ‘When the victory of Allāh and the conquest comes, and you see the people enter Allah’s Religion in waves.’ [an-Nasr; 1-2] So, during difficult circumstances in which you are confronting the massive jahiliyyah around you, don’t expect people to accept your call. None will accept it except those are prepared to sacrifice everything they own, even their lives.

Quraysh and Hāwazin were finished in the 8th year AH. Two years later, in the 10th year AH, the Prophet made Hajj along with 124,000 people. How many were there during the conquest of Makkah? There were 10,000. This means that in the two years between the two, there were 114,000 who became Muslim. However, the core of this society and its essence and foundation and nucleus was the mere thousand who participated at Uhud or the 1,400 who witnessed Bay’at ar-Ridwān. These, if they were to have been removed them from the picture, the entire society would’ve collapsed.

Because of this, the governments are smart when they fight Islām. They are very smart. They don’t come and kill everyone and have this held against them. Rather, they come and remove the five, six, or seven leaders who are the nucleus and essence and solid foundation and kill them off. While they only took out six, they really took out an entire ummah by taking out these six! ‘Indeed, Ibrahim was a nation unto himself…’ [an-Nahl; 120] And how often is one man equal to a thousand * And how often are a thousand men equal to none…” ['Fi Dhilal Surat at-Tawbah'; p. 50-54]

Abdullah Azzam
Maktabah.net

"Al-Jihad", Fard-Ain or Fard-Khifayah???

THE SCHOLARS ON JIHAD

I have just presented to you some verses from the Qur'an and the noble Ahadith(prophetic traditions) concerning the importance of Jihad. Now I would like to present to you some of the opinions from jurisprudence of the Madhahib (Islamic schools of thought) including some latter day authorities regarding the rules of Jihad and the necessity for preparedness. From this we will come to realise how far the Ummah has deviated in its practice of Islam as can be seen from the consensus of its scholars on the question of Jihad.

The author of the ‘Majma' al-Anhar fi Sharh Multaqal-Abha’, in describing the rules of Jihad according to the Hanafi School, said:

“Jihad linguistically means to exert one's utmost effort in word and action; in the Sharee’ah it is the fighting of the unbelievers, and involves all possible efforts that are necessary to dismantle the power of the enemies of Islam including beating them, plundering their wealth, destroying their places of worship and smashing their idols. This means that Jihad is to strive to the utmost to ensure the strength of Islam by such means as fighting those who fight you and the Dhimmies (if they violate any of the terms of the treaty) and the apostates (who are the worst of unbelievers, for they disbelieved after they have affirmed their belief).

It is fard (obligatory) on us to fight with the enemies. The Imam must send a military expedition to the Dar-al-Harb every year at least once or twice, and the people must support him in this. If some of the people fulfil the obligation, the remainder are released from the obligation. If this fard kifayah (communal obligation) cannot be fulfiled by that group, then the responsibility lies with the closest adjacent group, and then the closest after that etc., and if the fard kifayah cannot be fulfiled except by all the people, it then becomes a fard ‘ayn (individual obligation), like prayer on everyone of the people. This obligation is by virtue of what He, the Almighty, said:

‘Then fight the polytheists...!’
(Surat at-Tawbah (9), ayah 5)

and by what the Prophet T said:

‘Jihad is in effect until the Day of Judgement’

If the whole body [of believers] abandons it, they are in a state of sin….If the enemy conquers any territory of Islam, or any regions of it, it becomes a fard ‘ayn, and the woman and the slave shall go forth without the permission of husband or master. In the same way, the child shall go forth without the permission of his parents, and the debtor without the permission of his creditor.”

And in the Kitab al Bahr:

‘Should a Muslim woman be captured in the East, it is incumbent on the people of the West to rescue her unless she is taken to the stronghold cities of the enemies, and it becomes impossible to free her.’

The author of the "Bulghat al-Salik li Aqrab al-Masalik fi Madhhab al-Imam Malik" said:

“Jihad in Allah's way for the purpose of exalting Allah Almighty's Word every year is a fard kifayah. If some fulfil it, the remainder are absolved of it. It becomes specifically designated (i.e., it becomes a fard ‘ayn like prayer and fasting), when the Imam announces it and the enemy attacks the population of a specific region, whereupon it becomes obligatory on them and if this in sufficient then it becomes obligatory on those in their vicinity. In this case it becomes obligatory on the females and the slaves even though they may not have the permission of their husbands or their masters. It is also obligatory on the debtor even though the lender may not agree to it. It also becomes fard 'ayn on that individual who vows to engage in Jihad. Parents have the right to forbid their child from taking part in it only under conditions of fard kifayah. And if a Muslim is held as a prisoner of war by enemies and he does not have enough money to pay to free himself, then it is obligatory on the others to secure his release, even if this requires all of the Muslims' wealth.”

And in Al-Minhaj of Imam Nawawi of the Shafi'i school:

“Jihad during the time of the Messenger of Allah T was a fard kifayah, though it is also alleged that it was a fard ‘ayn. Since then, there are two conditions relative to the unbelievers:

1) If they remain in their own territories, then Jihad is not an obligation on all Muslims. As long as a sufficient number of Muslims undertake it, the remainder are released from this duty.

2) If they invade one of our territories, its population are obliged to repel them with all their force. If fighting is possible then fighting becomes an obligation. Every slave, poor person, son and debtor must prepare for war, even though they may not have permission..”

And in Al-Mughni of Ibn Qudama of the Hanbali school, who said:

‘Jihad is a fard kifayah. If a group of people engage in it, the remainder are released. It becomes a fard ‘ayn under three conditions:

1) If two armies meet and two lines of soldiers confront one another, those present are forbidden to leave the battlefield, and it becomes a fard ‘ayn on each one to remain at his station.

2) If the unbelievers attack a territory, it is a fard ‘ayn on its population to fight and repel them.

3) If the Imam calls a group of people to arms, then they must join his military forces.And he should at least announce Jihad once every year.”

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal said, ‘I know of nothing after the divine commandments more excellent than Jihad, and campaigning by sea is more excellent than campaigning on land.’

Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him said: ‘The Messenger of Allah T was
asleep. Then he awoke laughing, and Umm Haram said: ‘What makes you laugh, O
Messenger of Allah?’ He said: ‘People of my Ummah embarked on a military campaign in Allah's way, riding on the surface of this sea as kings on their thrones,’

and at the end of the Tradition, Umm Haram asked the Prophet T to beseech Allah on
her behalf that she might be one of them. So he prayed for her, and she lived long
enough to ride upon the sea in the Muslim fleet which conquered the island of Cyprus.
She died and was buried there, may Allah be pleased with her.

And it says in Al-Muhalla of Ibn Hazm:

“Jihad is obligatory on the Muslims, but if the borders of the Muslims can be protected, the enemy can be repelled and fought within his own territory, then the remainder of the people are released from it. And if not, then the obligation remains. Allah Almighty said:

‘Go ye forth, (whether equipped) light or heavily, and strive and struggle, with
your goods and your persons, in the Cause of Allah!’
(Surat at-Tawbah (9), ayah 41)

It is not permissible to participate in Jihad without the permission of the parent. But if Muslim land is invaded, then it is obligatory on those who can help even if their parents do not grant them permission. However, it is not lawful for him to abandon his parents if his parents would suffer in his absence.

And Al-Shawkani said in Al-Sayl al-Jarrar:

“The arguments regarding the Jihad being a religious obligation, both in the Qur’an and in the Sunnah, are too numerous to be set down here. Nevertheless, it is a fard kifayah as long as some people are fulfiling this fard kifayah then the rest are absolved from the duty. Otherwise, it is an fard ‘ayn incumbent on every adult by law until the duty is fulfiled. Similarly, it is a fard ‘ayn also on those people who are ordered to Jihad by the Imam.”

(CONCLUSIONS FROM THE MADHAHIB)

The scholarly people are of one opinion on this matter as should be evident and this is irrespective of whether these scholars were Mujtahideen or Muqalideen and it is irrespective of whether these scholars were salaf (early) or khalaf (late). They all agreed unanimously that Jihad is a fard kifayah imposed upon the Islamic Ummah in order to spread the Da’wah of Islam, and that Jihad is a fard ‘ayn if an enemy attacks Muslim lands. Today, my brother, the Muslims as you know are forced to be subservient before others and are ruled by disbelievers. Our lands have been besieged, and our hurruma'at (personal possessions, respect, honour, dignity and privacy) violated. Our enemies are overlooking our affairs, and the rites of our din are under their jurisdiction. Yet still the Muslims fail to fulfil the responsibility of Da’wah that is on their shoulders. Hence in this situation it becomes the duty of each and every Muslim to make Jihad. He should prepare himself mentally and physically such that when comes the decision of Allah, he will be ready.

I should not finish this discussion without mentioning to you that the Muslims, throughout every period of their history (before the present period of oppression in which their dignity has been lost) have never abandoned Jihad nor did they ever become negligent in its performance, not even their religious authorities, mystics, craftsmen, etc. They were all always ready and prepared. For example, Abdullah ibn al
Mubarak, a very learned and pious man, was a volunteer in Jihad for most of his life,
and 'Abdulwahid bin Zayd, a sufi and a devout man, was the same. And in his time, Shaqiq al Balkhi, the shaykh of the sufis encouraged his pupils towards Jihad.

And Al Badr al Ayni, the commentator on al-Bukhari would take part in Jihad one year,
study for one year and go on pilgrimage one year, while the judge Asad ibn al Furat of the Maliki School was an admiral in his day and Imam Shafi'i would shoot ten arrows and not miss once.

Such was the example set by the early generations of Muslims, may Allah's grace be
upon them! My brother, how do we compare with them?

Excerp from 'Kitab al-Jihad' by Imam Hasan al-Banna

Definition of an Islamic State

Fatwa by Imam Abu Haneefah

Dar-ul-Islam (islamic state) would changed to Dar-ul Kufr (non-Islamic State) if all these three condition were fulfilled:

1. When it is governed by Kuf Laws
2. When the Muslims lose their safety
3. Neighbourhood. And that happens if the state has borders with the Kufr state in a way the latter causes danger to the Muslims and becomes the reason behind the loss of their safety.

more 'definition' to come later.....

Investigating the Reliability of the News conveyed by Wicked People

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن جَآءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌۢ بِنَبَإٍۢ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓا۟ أَن تُصِيبُوا۟ قَوْمًۢا بِجَهَٰلَةٍۢ فَتُصْبِحُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَٰدِمِينَ

O you who believe! If a Fasiq comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you shuld harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done
(Al-hujurat : 6)

Allah the Exalted ordered investigating the news that sinners and the wicked bring, to make sure of its authenticity. Otherwise, if the sinner's word is taken for granted and a decision is based on it , regardless of whether the information is t rue or not , the authorities will be taking the lead of the sinners. Allah the Exalted and Most Honored forbade taking the path of the corrupted and sinners. This is why groups of the scholars of Hadith refuse to accept narrations from narrators whose reliability is unknown, for they might be from among the wicked people, in reality. (Tafsir ibn Kathir)

Jihad with the pen, the pen and nothing but the pen...

At-tawbah (122)

And it is not (proper) for the believers to go out to fight (Jihad) all together. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may get instruction in (Islamic) religion, and that they may warn their people when they return to them, so that they may beware (of evil).

According to Tafsir Ibn Kathir:

Allah here ordered the Muslim to march fourth with the Messenger of Allah (SAW) in the battle of Tabuk. According to the salaf this ayah abrogated the ruling of the following ayah:

March forth, whether you are light (being healthly, young and wealthy) or heavy )being ill, old and poor), and strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the Cause of Allah. This is better for you, if you but knew. (9:41)

It was not becoming of the people of Al-Madinah and the Bedouins of the neighbourhood to remain behind Allah’s Messenger (Muhammad SAW when fighting in Allah’s Cause0 and (it was not becoming of them) to prefer their own lives to his life. That is because they suffer neither thirst nor fatigue nor hunger in the Cause of Allah, nor they take any step to raise the anger of disbelievers nor inflict any injury upon an enemy but is written to their credit as a deed of righteousness. Surely, Allah wastes not the reward of the Muhsinun. (9:120)


It is said that at least a group of every tribe should march for jihad. Those who went with the messenger would gain instruction and studies in the revelation that came down to him, and warn the people about the battle when they return. This way the group that went with the Prophet will achieve both goals [jihad and learning the revelation from the prophet.]

A friend of mine used this ayah as a prove to her opinion that in our days it is not our duty to go to the frontline for example in Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine. She said that as far as she knows, there is no Fatwas calling for worldwide jihad. She also said that building the ‘Ummah’, like strengthening their A’qeedah, is the main priority. Only then would we be able to wage jihad properly when we have Mujahideen with strong faith.

This is my repond to her:

For me, a person who lives in this modern world with all the worldly luxury surrounding him, who is also willing to go to the frontline, has a high enough level of faith. Just by the occurrence of an intention upon him to go and wage Jihad just proves it. No need to mention bout those who has actually made an effort to go for jihad.

This ayah said that a party only should go forth, but today, we have none that is sent forth, that is trained or even prepared to go forth. We are not preparing the Muslims just in case that we do need to attend the frontline. We have no training camp except those like national service which trains youth to defend their country, that emphases on patriotism. We are told that jihad with the pen is more afdol (better) for us now. But we have been going on like this for ever. It is not a new idea, over 50years since independence, we have gained a lot, our growth is much faster than any other Muslim country but still we remain ignorant. We are too dependent for people to tell us what to do.

Who in this country or which ulama dares to issue such fatwa for jihad, they don’t even dare to publicly condemn al-munkar that is lurking around in front of their eyes. We have to remember that our ulama nowadays are paid by the taghut, they are appointed by the taghut, when will they ever dare to forbid. And we want to wait for these ulama to tell us what to do. But don’t get me wrong, not all of them, there are ones that do condemn but only behind the curtain.

So lastly I told her, it’s like building a sand castle by the beach, if you don’t build a wall or something, the wave will just come and destroy your castle. And you will be at square one again and keep going in circle, where you will never get to finish up your castle.

That’s why a party should be sent forth even if it is a small portion compared to the one staying behind.

No Islamic Movement in this country has a quota to train ‘a party’ of their Muslim or their own members for jihad, especially in the militaristic aspect of it. Their reason is that our country is not at war with the infidels. Well read this "OUR UMMAH IS AT WAR, WAKE UP!!!"

44 Ways to Support Jihad

by Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki

1. Having the Right Intention
2. Praying to Allah to award you with martyrdom
3. Jihad with your wealth
4. Fundraising for the mujahideen
5. Financing a Mujahid
6. Taking care of the family of Mujahid
7. Sponsoring the family of a shaheed
8. Sponsoring the familiies of the prisoner of war
9. Paying your zakah to the mujahideen
10. Contributing to the medical needs of the mujahideen
11. Providing Moral suppport and encouragement for the mujahideen
12. Defending the mujahideen and standing up for them
13. Fighting the lies of the Western Media
14. Exposing the hypocrites
15. Encouraging others to fight Jihad
16. Protecting the mujahideen and preserving their secrets
17. Praying for the mujahideen
18. Following the news of Jihad and spreading it
19. Spreading the writings of the mujahideen and their scholars
20. The issuance of fatwas supporting the mujahideen
21. Providing the scholars and Imams with information and news about the mujahideen
22. Physical fitness
23. Arms training
24. First aid training
25. Learning the fiqh of Jihad
26. Protecting the mujahideen and supporting them
27. Developing the Aqeedah of Walaa' and Baraa'
28. Fulfilling our responsibilities towards the Muslim POW
29. WWW Jihad
30. Raising our children on the love of Jihad and the Mujahideen
31. Avoiding the life of luxury
32. Learning skills that would benefit the mujahideen
33. Joining groups that work for Jihad
34. Spiritual preparation
35. Guiding others to the scholars of truth
36. Preparing for Hijrah
27. Giving naseehah to the mujahideen
38. Studying the hadiths of fitan
39. Exposing Pharoah and his magicians
40. Nasheeds
41. Boycotting the economy of the enemy
42. Learning Arabic
43. Translating Jihad literature into other language
44. Teaching others about the characteristics of al-Ta'ifah al-Mansoorah