What are the cases in which jihad is obligatory or voluntary?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you. You mentioned at the beginning of your answer that if jihad is voluntary, one must seek permission from his parents, and if it is obligatory, he is not required to do so.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : May we know the cases in which jihad is voluntary and the cases in which it is obligatory?
The Shaykh : Yes, the scholars said that jihad becomes obligatory if the imam calls for it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : By saying to him, "Go out." Second, if the enemy besieges him or besieges his country, or if there is a need for him in jihad such that the mujahideen are in need of the presence of this specific person because he knows how to operate a specific weapon that is used for fighting, unlike others.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So it is obligatory if an enemy besieges him or besieges his country, or if the imam calls for it, or if the mujahideen are in need of him specifically. And likewise, a fifth matter: if he is present in the battle line, fleeing is not permissible, for it is one of the major sins, as Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Anfal 8:16].
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : And regarding the voluntary aspect?
The Shaykh : In all cases other than these, it is voluntary.
The questioner : In all cases other than these five?
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
This listener, M. Z. K., is from Mosul, Iraq. He sent two questions, saying:
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : May we know the cases in which jihad is voluntary and the cases in which it is obligatory?
The Shaykh : Yes, the scholars said that jihad becomes obligatory if the imam calls for it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : By saying to him, "Go out." Second, if the enemy besieges him or besieges his country, or if there is a need for him in jihad such that the mujahideen are in need of the presence of this specific person because he knows how to operate a specific weapon that is used for fighting, unlike others.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So it is obligatory if an enemy besieges him or besieges his country, or if the imam calls for it, or if the mujahideen are in need of him specifically. And likewise, a fifth matter: if he is present in the battle line, fleeing is not permissible, for it is one of the major sins, as Allah the Exalted said:
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.
ومن يولهم يومئذٍ دبره إلا متحرفاً لقتال أو متحيّزاً إلى فئة فقد باء بغضب من الله ومأواه جهنم وبئس المصيرThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : And regarding the voluntary aspect?
The Shaykh : In all cases other than these, it is voluntary.
The questioner : In all cases other than these five?
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
This listener, M. Z. K., is from Mosul, Iraq. He sent two questions, saying: