xxvi JIHAD

So "The fighting"; even though by its nature is disliked by the human soul because of the liability, of being killed, or being taken as a captive, or being injured, with the wasting of the wealth, the damaging of the industry, the destruction of the country, the spreading of fear and awe in the souls and the (possibility) of being exiled from one's homeland. Allah has made ready an immensely good reward that can not be imagined by a human soul.

`Ikrama (a religious scholar) said: At first Muslims disliked it (Jihad), but later they loved it and said: "We listen and obey." And that is because the submission to the order includes hardship, but if the reward is made known it becomes easy for ones self in comparison with the estimation of (its) hardship.

And the verses of the Book (Qur'an) and Sunna (The Prophet's Tradition) have exhorted greatly for Jihad and have made quite clear its rewards, and praised greatly those who perform Jihad (the Muslim Holy War-fare) and explained to them the news of various kinds of honours which they will receive from their Lord (Allah). This is because they (Mujahidin) are Allah's troops.

Allah will establish His religion (Islam), with them (Mujahidin). He will repel the might of His enemies, and with them He will protect the light of Islam and guard the religion safely.

And it is they (Mujahidin) who fight against the enemies of Allah in order that the worship should be all for Allah (alone and not for any other deity) and that the word of Allah (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and His religion Islam) should be upper most. And He has made them (Mujahidin) partners in reward along with all those who guard Islam with their weapons, along with their good deeds which they performed even if they sleep in their homes.

And the legislator put the one who brings about a thing to happen equal in rank to its doer, both in reward (for a good-deed) and in punishment (for a crime). So the inviter to a good deed and the inviter to an evil deed both will have a reward (good or bad) equal to the reward of the one who has done that (good or evil) deed.

And sufficient is Allah's statement in this matter: "O you who believe! Shall I guide you to a commerce that will save you from a painful torment" (61 :10). So the souls became filled with the yearning desire for this profitable commerce which Allah the Lord of the worlds, the All-knower, the All-Wise directed the people towards . . . Allah said: "That you believe in Allah and His Apostle (Muhammad ) and that you strive hard and fight in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives (in this world) . . . So Allah said: "That will be better for you if you but knew (61 :11) i.e. Jihad (Fighting in Allah's cause) is better for you than your staying (back at home). Allah said: "If you do so (i.e. Jihad) He will forgive you, your sins, and (along with the forgiveness) admit you into gardens of Eternity that is indeed the great success." (61 :12).