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Ruling on jihaad

03-03-2000

Question 8961

Is jihaad considered to be fard ‘ayn [obligatory on all individuals] now, when the rights of Muslims have been violated by foreign invasions and in other ways? What is the ruling on those who are not engaged in jihaad, who cannot do anything, but if they were called upon they would respond and fight in jihaad for the sake of Allaah, but they are prevented by the current circumstances of the ummah, such as the lack of rule according to sharee’ah? Please respond, with evidence (daleel).

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

Jihaad to make the word of Allaah supreme, to protect the religion of Islam, to enable spreading the faith and to protect the things it holds sacred, is an obligation upon everyone who is able to do it. But this necessitates organizing and sending armies, lest it result in chaos leading to bad consequences. So initiating it is one of the tasks of the Muslim ruler, and the ‘ulamaa’ should encourage it. If jihaad begins and the Muslims are mobilized, then everyone who is able should answer the call, sincerely for the sake of Allaah, hoping for truth to prevail and to protect Islam. Whoever holds back from that when the call has been made, with no valid excuse, is a sinner.

And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.

Striving and migrating for the sake of Allaah

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