Fiqh al Jihad Sheikh Yusuf al Qaradhawi

On this issue, the Sheikh reviews women's jihad as it was at the time of Allah's
Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and of his honored Companions, and
confirms that the role of women in the service of Islam is not inferior to that of men,
since she is equally responsible. However, the Sheikh says that there are many tough
tasks that are incommensurate with a woman's nature and with the characteristics
Almighty Allah has singled out for her and which would help her to play her role and
achieve her mission in life.
Consequently, the Sheikh distinguishes between two
types of jihad; namely, defensive jihad and
preemptive jihad. He sees that jihad is imposed on
women as it is imposed on men as far as defensive
Jihad is imposed on women as it is
imposed on men as far as defensive jihad
is concerned
jihad is concerned. However, preemptive jihad is not imposed on women. She could
generally help men in jihad according to her nature and capabilities.
The Sheikh says, "Jurists have distinguished between two types of jihad: defensive
and preemptive jihad. It is not the woman's duty to take part in preemptive jihad
when Muslims invade their enemy attacking them on their own land. However, she
may do it voluntarily for the sake of Allah, and in pursuit of His doubled reward for
the mujahideen."
As regards defensive jihad, when the enemy attacks a Muslim country, or moves into
a Muslim country to occupy it and subdue its people, it is the duty of each and every
Muslim individual to defend their country and protect their sanctities with all the
power and means at their disposal.
No one should try to avoid jihad; each person should contribute according to his or
her ability. It is a case of general mobilization, and some scholars opine that sons
may go to jihad without their parents' permission, women may go to jihad without
their husband's permission, and servants may go to jihad without their master's
permission, as previously mentioned. In this case, the country and its people are
exposed to danger.
If there is a clash between collective and individual rights, collective rights are given
priority as survival of the group means the survival of the individual, while the loss of
the group means the loss of the individual.
This is the duty of jihad imposed on women, the same as that imposed on men, even
though what the woman is required to do may not be the same as the man. It is the
duty of both men and women to exert all their powers and potentials to repel the
aggressors.