The next six verses introduce us to what is knows as Jihad, that is, fighting in the way (cause, path) of Allah.
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Rules of Engagement
We first encountered this topic in verse 2:154, where the Believers are instructed not to consider those who die fighting in the path of Allah as dead, but as living. In 2:190, the Believers are urged to fight in the way of Allah when others attack them first:
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“And fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits”.
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According to some commentators, “do not exceed the limits” simply means “do not attack first”.
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This sounds fair: Muhammad tells his people that they should only fight defensively. They should wait until they are attacked, and under no circumstances be the first to attack.
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They should also respect the sanctity of the Holy Mosque and not fight there, unless of course attacked there. But as we read 2:191, we see that this is not as innocent as it sounds:
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“And kill them wherever you catch them, and expel them out from whence they expelled you out, as persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them. Such is the recompense of the unbelievers.”
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It appears that Muhammad was mentally preparing his militants for attacking Mecca, the place from whence he was expelled.
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The deal was this: we go there and attempt to take over the place without fighting. If they stand in our way and try to drive us out, then that will serve as just cause to fight and slay them.
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This seems to be the Islamic militant’s definition of “defensive Jihad”: if you resist our peaceful attempt to take over your territory, we will see it as an attack upon us, and we will attack you back, in self defence.
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But (2:192) “if they desist, then surely Allah is forgiving, merciful.” Does that mean that the Believers should be forgiving and merciful as well?
And towards whom is Allah forgiving and merciful, the Muslims or the Unbelievers? It would be very nice if this verse was more specific.
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2:193 “Fight them, till there is no persecution, and the religion is Allah’s. Then if they give over, there shall be no enmity, save for evildoers”. This verse repeats what was said before, but is more specific about what happens when the Unbelievers stop resisting.
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This instruction is repeated in 8:39 “And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah. But if they desist, then surely Allah sees what they do”, which is another call for fighting the Unbelievers in order to achieve Islamic domination.
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To me it seems like a licence to fight and kill Unbelievers, even if they desist. “Allah sees what they do” suggests that men don’t. It could be subversive activity of the “evil doers”.
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It is very easy to allege such activity, and use it as justification for persecution. And this is not an expedient that Muslim rulers would refrain from during the following 13 centuries.
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The first clause of 2:194 is worth noting: “The Sacred month for the sacred month and sacred things are subject to retaliation…”
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I mentioned before that the raid of Badr was conducted in the sacred month of Ramadhan, violating the age old custom of Arabia, where certain months of the year were designated hostility-free. In 2:194, Allah permits fighting in the Sacred Months, if the purpose of the fighting is to retaliate against desecration.
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What specific desecration was retaliated against in Badr is not clear, unless the Quran is referring to the presence of the pagans in his Holy Mosque in Mecca. 9:36 reconfirms this law, where Allah fixes the number of months in the year and the number of Sacred Months (four).
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The names of the four Sacred Months are not given in the Quran, but by now that should not surprise you.
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2:195 urges the Believers to contribute their own money towards fighting in Allah’s cause, lest they will be cast by their own hands to ruin, destruction, perdition. In other words, give money for the war effort, or you will end up in Hell:
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“And spend in the way of Allah, and cast not yourselves by your own hands into ruin, and do good, for Allah loves the doers of good.”
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From what I understand, 2:195 tells us that financial support to those who fight in the way of Allah (Jihadists) is “doing good”. The clenching of the fist will only lead to ruin, so give generously.
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If you are a Believer, and your attention is drawn to this verse, chances are you will take it seriously, and support Jihad with your finances, if not with your person.
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As I said before, surah 2 is not considered a war surah, but it does discuss the subject. The Quran contains many more references to fighting in Allah’s cause. I will leave it to you to explore, if you wish (see surahs 8 and 9 for example).
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But as you have seen, most Islamic topics are dealt with, or alluded to, in this monumental surah, and Jihad is no exception. Our surah contains other Jihad references, and I would like to cover them and dispose of the topic in this chapter.
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Fighting is Obligatory
2:216 “Prescribed for you is fighting, though it be hateful to you. Yet it may happen that you will hate a thing which is better for you, and it may happen that you will love a thing which is worse for you. Allah knows, and you know not.”
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Just to remind you, “prescribed” is the translation of “it is written on you”, that is, that fighting is incumbent upon you is written in Allah’s Book.
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This verse, put simply, says that war is good for you, and if you think it is bad, it is only because you are ignorant, or at least not as knowledgeable as Allah.
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2:217 essentially repeats 2:194 regarding the fighting in the sacred month. It seems that Muhammad’s militants would not let up on the subject of fighting during the holy month:
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“They ask you concerning the sacred month about fighting in it. Say: Fighting in it is a grave matter, and hindering from Allah’s way and denying Him, and the Sacred Mosque and turning its people out of it, are still graver with Allah, and persecution is graver than slaughter. And they will not cease fighting with you until they turn you back from your religion, if they can.
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And whoever of you turns back from his religion, then he dies while an unbeliever, these it is whose works shall go for nothing in this world and the hereafter, and they are the inmates of the fire; therein they shall abide.”
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So Muhammad answers this time with very strong words, so as to quash any dissent in the matter: You must stop questioning my orders to fight in the sacred month. You are fighting for Allah, and Allah says it is permitted. You fight when I tell you, you fight as Muslims and die as Muslims, or you will end up in the fire of Hell.
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2:218 “But they who believe, and who emigrated, and who fight in the cause of Allah, may hope for Allah’s mercy. And Allah is forgiving and merciful.”
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The Arabic wording for fight in the cause of Allah, or as others translate “strive in the way of Allah”, is “jihad fi sabil Allah”. And “Jihad” is the noun.
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And 2:244 “Fight in the way of Allah, and know that Allah hears, knows.” needs no further explanation.
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The association of fighting in the way of Allah with the ultimate reward – Paradise – comes later, in surahs composed when more fighting was taking place, and more encouragement was needed. See for example this one (9:111):
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“Indeed, Allah has bought of the believers their persons and their property for this, that they shall have the garden. They fight in Allah’s way, so they slay and are slain …”
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The pleasures of Paradise are the reward of those who are martyred fighting in Allah’s way.
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Jihad is Forever (But it Need Not Be)
So, what’s the big deal? Muhammad and his followers were expelled from Mecca’s Holy Mosque of Allah for trying to change the way this god is worshipped, and introducing a new religion. They want to fight for their right to return to the holy place of their god and practice their new religion the way they desire.
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Striving in the way of Allah, as Muhammad described it, is fighting for your right, against those who expelled you, and keep you out of the place that you believe you have every right to be in.
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Oh, if only it were so… Within a few years, Islamic rulers and theologians will turn Jihad into the Raison D’être of Islam, and effectively globalise it.
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While the Quranic edict of “religion should be only for Allah” could be confined Arabia if a strict and localised interpretation is applied, traditions composed during the years of Islamic territorial expansion made the forceful subjugation of the non Muslim world and its various belief systems a central pillar of Islam.
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But it need not be that way. Islamic reformers must persevere in their efforts to promote the original definition of Jihad, to return it to its origins, and to confine it within the context of Muhammad’s struggle to regain access to Allah’s sanctuary in Mecca.
