Wake Up America -- A Couple of Paragraphs from A.A. Maududi on Jihad and the Defense of Islam

From the writings of A.A. Maududi, Towards Understanding Islam

DEFENSE OF ISLAM

     “The defense of Islam is not a fundamental belief but its importance has been repeatedly emphasized in the Qur’an and Sunnah. It is essentially a test of our sincerity as believers in Islam. If we do not defend a friend of ours against plots or assaults from his enemies, nor care for his needs, we are indeed false pretenders of friendship. In the same way, if we profess belief in Islam, we must jealously guard and uphold the prestige of Islam. Our sole guide for our conduct must be the interests of Muslims at large and the service of Islam in the face of which all our personal considerations must sink low.”

JIHAD

     “Jihad is a part of this overall defense of Islam. Jihad means to struggle to the utmost of one’s capacity. A man who exerts himself physically or mentally or spends his wealth in the cause of God is indeed engaged in jihad. But in the language of the Divine Law, this word is used specifically for the war that is waged solely in the name of God against those who perpetrate oppression as enemies of Islam. This supreme sacrifice is the responsibility of all Muslims. If, however, a section of the Muslims offer themselves for participating in jihad, the whole community is absolved of its responsibility. But if none comes forward, everyone is held guilty. This concession vanishes for the citizens of an Islamic State when it is attacked by a non-Muslim power. In this case, everybody must come forward for jihad. If the country attacked doesn’t have enough strength to fight back, then it is the duty of the neighboring Muslim countries to help her. If even they fail, then the Muslims of the whole world must fight the common enemy. In all these cases, jihad is as much a primary duty as are daily prayers or fasting. One who avoids it is a sinner. His very claim to being a Muslim is doubtful. He is plainly a hypocrite who fails in the test of sincerity and all his acts of worship are a sham, a worthless, hollow show of devotion.”