CHAPTER 4. Muslim Sources on the "Jihad of the Sword"

4. 1. Quotes That "Jihad of the Sword" Is the Highest Goal of a Muslim

One of the strong arguments in the promotion of extremist ideas is the high importance given to jihad in Islam. Abdullah Azzam states: "Jihad is the pinnacle of Islam... indeed, the duty of jihad takes precedence over prayers and fasting in the month of Ramadan (which, unlike jihad, are considered two of the five main pillars of Islam). In reality, jihad is put ahead of prayer, fasting, zakat (property tax), hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca), and so on. And if fasting collides with jihad, the fast is moved away and jihad comes to the fore, and if prayer collides with jihad, the prayer is postponed, that is, it is shortened and combined with another or even its type of performance is changed so that it corresponds to jihad. For stopping jihad for a moment means stopping the religion of Allah from moving into life."27

It should be recognized that such a high assessment of armed jihad as the pinnacle of the Islamic religion is indeed contained in Islamic sources, which allows extremists to defend their positions very convincingly, promote their ideas and recruit a large number of supporters.

Let us consider the Qur'anic texts and their interpretation.

"Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight against you, but do not overstep the bounds of what is permissible. Indeed, Allah does not love criminals. Kill them wherever you meet them, and drive them out from where they drove you out. Temptation is worse than murder. But don't fight them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight you there. But if they fight with you, kill them. Such is the recompense for the unbelievers! But if they stop, then Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Fight them until the temptation disappears and the religion is entirely dedicated to Allah. But if they cease, then enmity should be made only with the wrongdoers. The forbidden month is for the forbidden month, and for the violation of the prohibitions there is retribution. If someone has made an attempt on you, then you will also make an attempt on him, just as he has made an attempt on you. Fear Allah and know that Allah is with those who fear Allah" (Surah 2 "The Cow" 190-194).

"You are ordered to fight, although it is unpleasant for you. Perhaps you do not like what is good for you. And perhaps you love what is evil to you. Allah knows, but you do not know" (Surah 2 "The Cow" 216)

"Or did you think that you would enter Paradise until Allah knew those of you who fought and who were patient?" (Surah 3 "The Family of Imran" 142).

"Do not consider dead those who have been killed in the cause of Allah. No, they are alive and receive provision from their Lord" (Surah 3 "The Family of Imran" 169)

"Let those who buy (or sell) worldly life for the Hereafter fight in the cause of Allah. Whoever fights in the cause of Allah and is killed or victorious, We will bestow a great reward. Why don't you fight in the cause of Allah and for the weak men, women and children who say, "Our Lord! Bring us out of this city, whose inhabitants are lawless. Those who believe fight in the way of Allah, and those who disbelieve fight in the way of Taghut. Therefore, fight with Satan's helpers. Indeed, Satan's schemes are weak" (Surah 4 "Women" 74-76).

"Fight in the cause of Allah, for you are responsible only for yourself, and encourage the believers. Perhaps Allah will restrain the power of the disbelievers. Allah is the most powerful and the most severe in punishment" (Surah 4 "Women" 84)

"O you who believe! When you encounter unbelievers on the battlefield, do not turn your back on them. Those who turn their backs on the disbelievers on such a day, except those who deploy to fight or to join with a band, will incur the wrath of Allah. Their refuge will be Gehenna. How wretched is this place of arrival! You did not kill them, but Allah killed them. You did not throw a handful of sand when you threw it, but Allah threw it to put the believers to a beautiful test from Himself. Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing" (Surah 8 "Prey" 15-17).