216- FIGHTING HAS BEEN MADE A DUTY UPON YOU WHILE YOU HATE IT.  MAY BE THAT YOU HATE SOMETHING WHILE IT IS GOOD FOR YOU, AND MAY BE THAT YOU HATE SOMETHING WHILE IT IS BAD FOR YOU, FOR ALLAH KNOWS AND YOU DO NOT KNOW.

Allah the Highest made fighting a duty upon the Muslims in this Ayah.  It is not attacking people for no reason and threatening civilians and killing randomly.  Fighting should be in the cause of Allah the Highest. 

Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Whoever fights so that Allah’s Word becomes the supreme, he is in the case of Allah the Most Exalted the Majestic”. (B: Elm; 45 & M: Emarah; 150-151 & Ma: Jehad; 13 & A: 4; 392,397)

Why should a Muslim fight?

1-    Protecting out lives, that is every one’s life.  Not just the Muslims, but any one of any faith who lives with the Muslims in their land in peace.

2-    Protecting our property and possessions.

3-    Protecting our faith and freedom to worship.

4-    Opening the land which does not allow Islam so that Islam may be heard and practiced there. 

It is often claimed that Islam was spread by force, which is not true.  The Muslim State spread by force, which used to be the rule at that time.  Islam as a religion did not spread by force however.  People in these lands were not forced to embrace Islam or be killed, Islam spread there peacefully and gradually.  For decades and centuries, Muslim Khalifas ruled over majority of non-Muslim population, indeed allowing the free worship for the Christians and Jews.  This is because Allah the Highest said: “THERE IS NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION, FOR THE RIGHT HAS BEEN DISTINGUISHED FROM THE WRONG” (S: 2 A: 256)

Allah the Highest promised those who fight in His cause the following:

1-    Return having gained Allah’s pleasure and reward.

2-    To be martyred, gaining the great reward of Martyrdom.

The Early Muslims fought in the cause of Allah more than any other nation, therefore the Muslim state spread throughout the Earth and with it Islam Spread.  We should remember that Islam spread and is still spreading in many countries which were never under Muslim Rule, including the US and Europe.  This could not have been by the sword.

In fact, the Muslims were not allowed to fight at the beginning, and the permission to fight came after 15 years of the beginning of Islam.  This is because the Muslims were under threat and attacks, were killed and tortured and had their money and possessions taken from them. 

Protecting the safety and security of the Muslim Nation and the Muslims is a very important goal, and without it, the Muslims can not maintain their faith and life. 

Usually, being strong rebels most potential aggressors, this is why Allah the Highest commands us to keep our military strength and preparation always high saying: “AND PREPARE FOR THEM WHAT YOU CAN OF STRENGH AND HORSESTO PUT FEAR INTOALLAH’S ENEMIES AND YOUR ENEMIES, AS WELL AS OTHERS YOU DO NOT KNOW BUT ALLAH KNOWS”.  (S: 8 A: 60)

This fighting in the cause of Allah is what is called “Jihad”. 

Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Whoever dies having not fought in the cause of Allah or thought about it, he would have died like a disbeliever”.  (Bukhari)

Indeed, no other deed matches or equals Jihad in its reward from Allah the Highest.  A man asked Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him: “Allah’s messenger, tell me about a deed which equals Jihad” He prayer and peace upon him said: “There is not.  Can you when the man goes out for Jihad to go to your mosque to pray without rest, and fast without eating?”  The man said: “But who can do that?”  (B:Jihad;1 & M:Emrah;110 & T:Fadael el-Jihad;1 & N:Jihad;17 & A:2;344)

Meaning that from the person out fighting in Allah’s cause, from the minute he leaves his home is like being in continuous Salah and Fasting.

Fighting involves physical and mental strain, loss or earning and being away from family and loved ones, and most of all loss of life, therefore no one likes it.  It can be necessary however, and without being prepared to fight for our security and dignity, Muslims will not live in peace, have freedom in their faith and be able to prosper. 

We see how Muslim countries have been invaded for the most flimsy excuses.  The only real deterrent of potential aggressors is power, and power needs believers who are prepared and willing to stand in the face of the aggressor and fight.

B: Bukhari   M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi