Abdul Muqit Chowdhury :
The 17th Ramzan reminds us of the Jihad of Badar. It was a defensive fight against infidel aggressors. The Muslims, though very small in number and not sufficiently equipped with arms and ammunition, became victorious in the battle with the help and Grace of Allah.
The Holy Quran reveals : “God had
helped you /At Badar, when ye were / A contemptible little force; /Then fear God : thus/May ye show your gratitude.” (Sura Al-e-Imran: Ayat 123, the Holy Quran Translation and Commentary by A. Yusuf Ali).
“Remember ye implored/ The assistance of your Lord/ And He answered you: I will assist you/ With a thousand of the angels,/ Ranks on ranks.” (Sura Anfal : Ayat 9, Do)
‘Jihad’ means ‘to try one’s utmost’. It is the use of all energies and resources to defend truth and justice.
The Muslims had no alternative than to fight against aggressive forces who were huge in numbers to annihilate them. So fight for the defense of the Nation and Faith is not only allowed, but also commanded and made obligatory by the Holy Quran and the Sunnah.
Islam combines struggle against inherent inhuman instincts as well as worldly aggressive forces. The Jihad of Badar categorically demonstrated the concept even in the month of Ramzan, the designated time of fasting.
Though Ramzan is the training period of spiritual purification, it also presents practical performance of Jihad through example of Muslim history. Jihad, ‘the exerting of one’s power’ repelling the enemy and ‘struggle to the utmost’ ones capacity is permitted as the last resort for the Muslims to survive as an independent and sovereign nation, in case they become the victims of aggression, tyranny and oppression.
The Holy Quran permits Jihad in the following way : “Fight in the cause of God/ Those who fight you;/ But do not transgress limits;/ For God loveth not transgressors.” (Sura Baqara : Ayat 190, Do)
Thus Jihad is very much a defensive one and it should not be misinterpreted by the ignorant or the vested quarters.
We should know the limitation ordained by Allah here. Jihad is not permitted when the enemy becomes inclined towards peace. Peace is the ultimate goal of Islam.
Holy Quran directs the believers : “But if the enemy/ Incline towards peace,/ Do thou(also) incline/ Towards peace, and trust in God : for He is the One/That hereth and knoweth/All things.” (Sura Anfal : Ayat 61, Do)
With the background of the Jihad of Badar, the Muslims’ strategy to fight against aggression is to be framed. They are wronged. Here the Quran voices for defence : “To those against whom/ War is made, permission/ Is given (to fight), because/ They are wronged;… ” (Sura Al Hajj: Ayat 39, Do )
Of course, Jihad in the shape of war is the last resort of the Muslims, while under aggression and oppression. It is a misconception that Jihad means only war and is against any non-Muslim. It is a matter of defense, but there is warning against transgressing limits.
The 17th Ramzan reminds us of the Jihad of Badar. It was a defensive fight against infidel aggressors. The Muslims, though very small in number and not sufficiently equipped with arms and ammunition, became victorious in the battle with the help and Grace of Allah.
The Holy Quran reveals : “God had
helped you /At Badar, when ye were / A contemptible little force; /Then fear God : thus/May ye show your gratitude.” (Sura Al-e-Imran: Ayat 123, the Holy Quran Translation and Commentary by A. Yusuf Ali).
“Remember ye implored/ The assistance of your Lord/ And He answered you: I will assist you/ With a thousand of the angels,/ Ranks on ranks.” (Sura Anfal : Ayat 9, Do)
‘Jihad’ means ‘to try one’s utmost’. It is the use of all energies and resources to defend truth and justice.
The Muslims had no alternative than to fight against aggressive forces who were huge in numbers to annihilate them. So fight for the defense of the Nation and Faith is not only allowed, but also commanded and made obligatory by the Holy Quran and the Sunnah.
Islam combines struggle against inherent inhuman instincts as well as worldly aggressive forces. The Jihad of Badar categorically demonstrated the concept even in the month of Ramzan, the designated time of fasting.
Though Ramzan is the training period of spiritual purification, it also presents practical performance of Jihad through example of Muslim history. Jihad, ‘the exerting of one’s power’ repelling the enemy and ‘struggle to the utmost’ ones capacity is permitted as the last resort for the Muslims to survive as an independent and sovereign nation, in case they become the victims of aggression, tyranny and oppression.
The Holy Quran permits Jihad in the following way : “Fight in the cause of God/ Those who fight you;/ But do not transgress limits;/ For God loveth not transgressors.” (Sura Baqara : Ayat 190, Do)
Thus Jihad is very much a defensive one and it should not be misinterpreted by the ignorant or the vested quarters.
We should know the limitation ordained by Allah here. Jihad is not permitted when the enemy becomes inclined towards peace. Peace is the ultimate goal of Islam.
Holy Quran directs the believers : “But if the enemy/ Incline towards peace,/ Do thou(also) incline/ Towards peace, and trust in God : for He is the One/That hereth and knoweth/All things.” (Sura Anfal : Ayat 61, Do)
With the background of the Jihad of Badar, the Muslims’ strategy to fight against aggression is to be framed. They are wronged. Here the Quran voices for defence : “To those against whom/ War is made, permission/ Is given (to fight), because/ They are wronged;… ” (Sura Al Hajj: Ayat 39, Do )
Of course, Jihad in the shape of war is the last resort of the Muslims, while under aggression and oppression. It is a misconception that Jihad means only war and is against any non-Muslim. It is a matter of defense, but there is warning against transgressing limits.
