inab3 cover front.psd - Khadijah Mosque

There is no contradiction between the
gentle means advocated for da’wah, and the
command for jihad to remove hindrances in
the path of da’wah. This is because jihad
can only be applied when all peaceful
initiatives to overcome those hindrances had
been rejected.
This is borne out in Prophet Muhammad’s
example. For the first 13 years of his mission,
he was commanded to be patient and to
conduct his da’wah in a gentle manner, even
though he and the Muslims were severely
abused and oppressed. He did not retaliate,
nor allowed any of his followers to do so.
Seeking a peaceful solution, he accepted the
offer to migrate to Madinah. Yet the attacks
against him and Islam continued, eventually
escalating into attacks against Madinah. It
was only after that, did he use jihad to ensure
the freedom to preach.
Even after jihad was allowed, Prophet
Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) continued to prefer a
peaceful approach to da’wah. It was for this
reason that he signed the Hudaibiah Accord
whose terms were unfavourable to Muslims,
even though by then, Muslims already had
the upper hand.
When Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) sent
out his army on a military mission, he always
reminded them as follows:
“ Wage war in the name of Allah and in
the way of Allah. Slay those who disbelieve
in Allah. Wage war, but do not be excessive;
do not be treacherous, do not mutilate (the
dead) bodies and do not kill the children.”
(Related by Muslim)
In another hadith, Prophet Muhammad
(p.b.u.h.) said :
“Do not kill the old, the children, babies
nor women, and do not be excessive. Gather
the spoils of war, do good, and be virtuous.
Indeed, Allah loves those who do good.”
(Related by Abu Daud)
It is obvious from these hadith, that Islam
expects gracious conduct even in jihad.
Allah Almighty says,
“And fight in the cause of Allah those who
fight you, but do not transgress limits. “
(The Holy Quran 2: 190)
In Islam, war should only be waged based
on lofty and noble aims – for defence, and to
remove impediments to the spread of faith –
not because of anger or hatred, nor
conducted excessively. That is why Prophet
Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) prohibited the
mutilation of dead bodies (killed during war)
and the killing of women and children.
In conducting jihad, Muslims are exhorted
to fulfill their promises to those with whom
they have an accord; treachery is not
accepted as a means of securing the upper
hand, even in battle. Allah Almighty says:
“O you who believe! Fulfill (all)
obligations .” (The Holy Quran 5 : 1)
“…(but the treaties are) not dissolved
with those Unbelievers with whom you have
entered into alliance and who have not
subsequently failed you in aught, nor aided
any one against you. So fulfill your
engagements with them to the end of their
term: for Allah loves the righteous.”
(The Holy Quran 9: 4)
In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty also
commands Muslims to be good to those who
do not wage war against them,
“God forbids you not, with regards to
those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor
drive you out of your homes, from dealing
kindly and justly with them: for Allah loves
those who are just. Allah only forbids you,
with regard to those who fight you for (your)
Faith, and drive you out of your homes, and
support (others) in driving you out, from
turning to them (for friendship and
protection). It is such as turn to them (in
these circumstances), that do wrong. “ (The
Holy Quran 60: 8 – 9)
Allah Almighty even favours being
forgiving in war. A good example of this was
when Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) forgave
and spared the people of Makkah upon
taking over the city, even though they had
caused Muslims much pain before.
Islam acknowledges the weakness of Man
who, by nature, will make mistakes, is
forgetful, and prone to commit sins. Prophet
Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) said:
40 Masjid Khadijah