When Jihad Becomes an Individual Obligation and Its Conditions
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Question:
He asks: When does jihad become an individual obligation for Muslims against the disbelievers, given what we see of the dominance of the polytheists and the weakness of the Muslims? And what are the conditions for going out to jihad in some of the countries where jihad is being carried out, such as Chechnya, Iraq, Palestine, and other Muslim lands?
Answer:
First, I know that jihad, as stated in the books of creed, is among the prerogatives of the Imam of the Muslims. He is the one who leads the jihad, organizes the armies and expeditions, arranges them, and follows up on them. This is among the prerogatives of the Imam of the Muslims, and this is found in the creed, specifically the *Al-Wasitiyyah* creed, or one should read it.
He says: Jihad is with every believer, whether righteous or sinner, until the Hour comes. We know this; we must know this. It is not a matter of chaos where anyone who wants to take up his weapon and kill, destroy, and spread corruption on earth does so. This is not jihad; this is chaos.
This is one aspect. The second aspect is that jihad becomes an individual obligation in three cases. The first case is when a country is besieged or an enemy attacks; it is obligatory for everyone who is able to fight to defend the country and the sanctities. The second case is when battle has begun; it is not permissible for him to flee if he is able to fight. Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Anfal 8:15] [Al-Anfal 8:15-16]. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) counted fleeing from the ranks among the major sins, as mentioned in the hadith.
The third case is when the imam orders them to go on an expedition with the mujahideen; they must comply if they are able, as Allah the Exalted said:[At-Tawbah 9:38] If you are in the land. [Al-Anfal 8:67] [At-Tawbah 9:38-39] This peace lasts for forty days. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you.
He asks: When does jihad become an individual obligation for Muslims against the disbelievers, given what we see of the dominance of the polytheists and the weakness of the Muslims? And what are the conditions for going out to jihad in some of the countries where jihad is being carried out, such as Chechnya, Iraq, Palestine, and other Muslim lands?
Answer:
First, I know that jihad, as stated in the books of creed, is among the prerogatives of the Imam of the Muslims. He is the one who leads the jihad, organizes the armies and expeditions, arranges them, and follows up on them. This is among the prerogatives of the Imam of the Muslims, and this is found in the creed, specifically the *Al-Wasitiyyah* creed, or one should read it.
He says: Jihad is with every believer, whether righteous or sinner, until the Hour comes. We know this; we must know this. It is not a matter of chaos where anyone who wants to take up his weapon and kill, destroy, and spread corruption on earth does so. This is not jihad; this is chaos.
This is one aspect. The second aspect is that jihad becomes an individual obligation in three cases. The first case is when a country is besieged or an enemy attacks; it is obligatory for everyone who is able to fight to defend the country and the sanctities. The second case is when battle has begun; it is not permissible for him to flee if he is able to fight. Allah the Exalted said:
O you who have believed, when you meet those who disbelieve advancing
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا زَحْفًاdo not turn to them your backs [in flight]. (16) And whoever turns his back to them on such a day, unless swerving [as a strategy] for war or joining [another] company, has certainly returned with anger [upon him] from Allah, and his refuge is Hell - and wretched is the destination.
فَلَا تُوَلُّوهُمُ الْأَدْبَارَ وَمَن يُوَلِّهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ دُبُرَهُ إِلَّا مُتَحَرِّفًا لِّقِتَالٍ أَوْ مُتَحَيِّزًا إِلَىٰ فِئَةٍ فَقَدْ بَاءَ بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَمَأْوَاهُ جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُThe third case is when the imam orders them to go on an expedition with the mujahideen; they must comply if they are able, as Allah the Exalted said:
O you who have believed, what is [the matter] with you that, when you are told to go forth in the cause of Allah,
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَا لَكُمْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ انفِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِSome Muslims desire the commodities of this world, but Allah desires [for you] the Hereafter
تُرِيدُونَ عَرَضَ الدُّنْيَا وَاللَّهُ يُرِيدُ الْآخِرَةَ(38) O you who have believed, what is [the matter] with you that, when you are told to go forth in the cause of Allah, you adhere heavily to the earth? Are you satisfied with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But what is the enjoyment of worldly life compared to the Hereafter except a [very] little. (39) If you do not go forth, He will punish you with a painful punishment and will replace you with another people, and you will not harm Him at all. And Allah is over all things competent.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَا لَكُمْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ انفِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ اثَّاقَلْتُمْ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ أَرَضِيتُم بِالْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا مِنَ الْآخِرَةِ فَمَا مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ إِلَّا تَنفِرُوا يُعَذِّبْكُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا وَيَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ وَلَا تَضُرُّوهُ شَيْئًا وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍThe presenter:
May Allah reward you.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، 1 من 5/شرح رسالة فضل الإسلام/الخروج عن دعوى الإسلام/صالح الفوزان/العقيدة/كبار العلماء — youtube.com (1:19:41)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.