Types of War in Islam

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    What are the types of war in Islam?

    Jihad in Islam has various types, most of which are conditional upon the permission of the Infallible Imam or his successor, such as the Guardian Jurist. Jihad is sometimes directed against internal enemies, such as the Rebels (Ahl al-Baghy) and the Hypocrites (Munafiqun), and sometimes against external enemies, such as the Polytheists (Mushrikun) and the Disbelievers (Kuffar).

    Liberation Jihad, or "Assistance War," is the defense of those who are oppressed and subjected to aggression by others. This jihad is aimed at freeing weak and oppressed believers from bondage.

    Defensive Jihad is another type of jihad. Muslims are obligated to fight against any individual or group that intends to attack Muslims or Islamic territories, to the best of their ability, and not to surrender. This type of war is called "defense" or "defensive jihad." Defensive jihad does not require the permission of the Imam.

    War Against Polytheists and Disbelievers

    Allah has commanded in the Quran to wage jihad against polytheists[1] and disbelievers.[2]

    War against polytheists is considered a defense of human dignity, freedom, and the eradication of oppression and injustice. Disbelief, atheism, and polytheism are seen as factors leading humanity astray, resulting in oppression and various vices and corruptions.[3]

    The term "disbeliever" in the context of jihad refers to "hostile disbelievers," meaning those who do not follow any of the divine religions. Jihad against hostile disbelievers is also called "invitation jihad" or "offensive jihad." For jihad against hostile disbelievers, the presence of a just Imam is required.[4]

    War Against People of the Book and Hypocrites

    The term "People of the Book" refers to followers of Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Sabians. War against these groups is obligatory until they submit and pay the jizya (tax).[5]

    There are several verses in this regard; for example, verse 29 of Surah At-Tawbah: "Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture—[fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled."[6]

    War against the People of the Book is also subject to certain conditions. Al-Muhaqqiq al-Hilli, a prominent Shia jurist of the 7th century AH, states in his book "Sharayi' al-Islam" that war against the People of the Book must be conducted under the command of a just Imam or his representative.[7] Martyr Motahhari also states in his books that in war against the People of the Book, the condition is that the other side must initiate the war or create obstacles to the spread of the Islamic message.[8]

    Hypocrites are another group against whom jihad has been commanded. Allah, addressing the Prophet, has commanded jihad against hypocrites and described their place in Hell.[9]

    War Against Rebels (Ahl al-Baghy)

    "Rebels" (Ahl al-Baghy) are those who rise against the government. Jihad against rebels is essentially an internal war against Muslims who rebel against the government.[10]

    Jalal al-Din Farsi, a Muslim scholar, defines rebels as a group of Muslims who, unable to achieve their goals through legitimate means, resort to armed aggression against Muslims.[11]

    Ayatollah Khoei, a contemporary Shia authority, divides rebels into two groups:

    1. Those who rebel against the Imam. In this case, it is obligatory for believers to fight them until they submit to divine command and accept the Imam's authority.

    2. The second group of rebels are Muslims who aggress against other Muslims. In this case, it is obligatory for other Muslims to mediate peace between them. However, if the rebels persist in their aggression, Muslims must fight them until they accept divine command.[12]

    The wars of Imam Ali (AS) against the Nakithin, Qasitin, and Mariqin were essentially wars against rebels.

    Liberation Jihad

    Liberation Jihad, or "Assistance War," is the defense of those who are oppressed and subjected to aggression by others.

    This jihad is aimed at freeing weak and oppressed believers from bondage. Sometimes, a group of Muslims living in a non-Islamic country (Dar al-Kufr) are subjected to oppression and aggression and, for various reasons, are unable to confront this aggression and injustice. Additionally, they may not have the opportunity to migrate to an Islamic country. In such a situation, it is obligatory for other Muslims to assist them to the best of their ability, fight against the oppressors, and secure their freedom from injustice and captivity.

    Allah, addressing the believers, asks why they do not fight in the cause of Allah when a group of weak men, women, and children are oppressed by disbelievers.[13] Imam Ali (AS) also advised to always support the oppressed and oppose the oppressors.[14]

    Jalal al-Din Farsi describes this type of jihad as defensive in nature, aimed at assisting the oppressed and having a liberating essence.[15]

    Defensive Jihad

    Martyr Motahhari:

    "If a war is for repelling aggression, then not fighting under the pretext of peace is not peace; it is surrender."[16]

    Muslims are obligated to fight against any individual or group that intends to attack Muslims, to the best of their ability, and not to surrender.[17] This type of war is called "defense" or "defensive jihad." All Muslim jurists agree that if Muslims or Islamic territories are attacked by enemies, it is obligatory for all Muslims to defend them with all their resources and capabilities.[18] In this jihad, the permission of a just Imam, jurist, or governing authority is not required.[19]

    In defensive jihad, the goal is to repel aggression, and once this goal is achieved, the defensive jihad ends.

    References

    1. ↑ Surah At-Tawbah, verse 36.
    2. ↑ Surah At-Tawbah, verse 123.
    3. ↑ Ali Kia, "Islam: The Religion of War and Peace," p. 22.
    4. ↑ Muhammad Karim Ishraq, "History and Regulations of War in Islam," pp. 259–260.
    5. ↑ Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai, "Tafsir al-Mizan," translated by Sayyid Muhammad Baqir Musavi Hamadani, vol. 16, p. 205; Sayyid Abul-Qasim al-Khoei, "Minhaj al-Salihin," vol. 1, p. 361.
    6. ↑ Surah At-Tawbah, verse 29.
    7. ↑ Al-Shahid al-Thani, "Sharh al-Lum'ah," vol. 10, p. 54.
    8. ↑ Morteza Motahhari, "Jihad," pp. 13–14.
    9. ↑ Surah At-Tawbah, verse 73.
    10. ↑ Ishraq, "History and Regulations of War in Islam," p. 271.
    11. ↑ Jalal al-Din Farsi, "Jihad: The Ultimate Stage of Development," p. 109.
    12. ↑ Sayyid Abul-Qasim al-Khoei, "Minhaj al-Salihin," vol. 1, p. 361.
    13. ↑ Surah An-Nisa, verse 75.
    14. ↑ Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 47, p. 558; Fattal Nayshaburi, "Rawdat al-Wa'izin," p. 136.
    15. ↑ Jalal al-Din Farsi, "Jihad: The Ultimate Stage of Development," p. 108.
    16. ↑ Morteza Motahhari, "Jihad," p. 25.
    17. ↑ Al-Shahid al-Awwal, "Al-Durus," vol. 2, p. 59; Allamah al-Hilli, "Qawa'id al-Ahkam," vol. 3, p. 571.
    18. ↑ Abbas Ali Azimi Shushtari, "The General Laws and Regulations of War and Defense in Islam," Misbah Quarterly, Year 6, Issue 22, p. 26.
    19. ↑ See: Abul-Qasim ibn Hasan Mirzayi Qumi, "Jami' al-Shatat," vol. 1, p. 362.
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