In the cause of Allah:

Go forth [O you who believe!] whether you are free or busy, and jahidu (do jihad) in the way of Allah with your properties and selves; that is better for you, if you know (9.41). [Madinite.]

And whoever jahada (does jihad), he yujahidu (does jihad) only for the benefit of his own soul. Surely, Allah is in no need for anything from the people (29.6). [Makkan.]

 "The Significance of "Jihad"

The holy Qur`an is full of instructions on Jihad and the life of Rasulallah allah salala ho alihi wasalm was a practical example of Jihad. It is clear from the verses above that Al Jihad is no small matter in the Islamic way of life and in the protection and propagation of the "˜Deen' The Islamic existence.

Perhaps the importance of Jihad is even greater than we actually understand. It will not be inaccurate to equate Jihad with Islam. One is nil without the other, when Jihad will seize so will Islam. Until there are evil forces on Earth there will be a need for Al-Jihad. Today in order to curb Islam it is taken that Jihad should be curbed! The word "˜Jihad' has almost become a taboo. People refrain from mentioning the word even, let alone trying to understand or live in its spirit.

The word "˜Jihad' is from the root word "˜Juhd' meaning exertion or effort. Jihad is also from the Arabic word Jahd to toil.

A person engaged in Juhd is the one who is not careless or lazy but makes an effort for an upright life and so he or she is a "˜Mujahid" A Mujahid is a devotee of his/her cause who uses both his physical and intellectual capacity to forge the cause. His cause may be the quest of knowledge and eradication of Jahiliya/ignorance. His cause may be to vanquish evil and secure himself and his family. His cause may be the survival of his Deen and his Islamic Dunya/world/state.  In all his effort the sincerity of his conviction niyah is judged by the creator Allah in order to reward the Mujahid.

Jihad is the "˜Independent Action' the struggle/effort of a person in maintaining good and forbidding evil: Amr bil Maroof & Nahi Anil Munkar -Enjoining good & forbidding evil.

Amongst the greatest obligations are amr-bil-Ma'roof (ordering for acknowledged virtues) and nahi anil munkar (forbidding from sin). Allah (SWT) says: "And there should be a group amongst you who invite towards good, order for acknowledged virtues, forbid from sin and these it is that are the successful ones" Sura 3 verse104

Rasul allah sallalah o alihi wasalm's life clearly portrays 2 types of Jihad or 2 types of attitudes and instructions for a believer to follow. Rasul allah's instructions for restrain and patience for the believers in the Makkan life under an unbelieving state were entirely different from the instructions of behavior in the believing state of Medina. In Medina the believers were expected to challenge the hypocrites and the unbelievers when threatened and establish the writ of Allah in its fullest.

For the Muslims living in secular or differing faith societies Jihad effort has to be more on the personal level in order to retain their Deen for themselves and for their families. They have to make every effort to practice and present Islam in the best of manner by their good conduct without expecting any help from the state. They are the ambassadors of Islam and for their Jihad of maintaining Islamic virtues they will be granted great rewards inshallah.

"Those who believe and suffer exile and strive with might and main, in Allah's cause, with their goods and their persons, have the highest rank in the sight of Allah: they are the people who will achieve salvation". Surah 9 verse 20

However the Muslims living within Islamic societies and states are expected to participate vigorously in all national and international congregations in order to hold and promote the Islamic way. They are also expected to abide totally to the Islamic laws in all walks of life whether Political, social or economic. It is the duty of the Islamic state to create genuine conditions for a sustainable Islamic society for its citizens to practice their Deen in its purity. The citizens are obliged to maintain harmony, peace and unity while also abiding by the Islamic codes of conduct. Likewise the Muslims within the Islamic community may also demand an upright Islamic behavior from their rulers and states men. They are also eligible to report and make known any un-Islamic and lewd practices within the state in order to maintain the Deen.

The greatest of responsibility upon a sovereign Muslim state and its Muslim citizens is to maintain the brotherhood with other Muslim states and especially more with those Muslim communities who live within the differing belief states as minorities. This attitude of brotherhood/connectivity and sincere concern will not only secure the vulnerable Muslim communities but also establish the lure of the Ummah and maintain the important Ghalbah/might/ authority required for the salvation of the Islamic world.

"˜Therefore the greatest of Jihad is in the way of maintaining brotherhood and the spirit of the Ummah'.

If the Muslims had understood the true meaning of Jihad/Effort Muslims of Kosovo and other eastern European communities would not have been slaughtered. Today Muslims of Somalia, Kashmir, Chechnya, Palestine, Philippines and Thailand face similar risks. Kosovo has still not been given its sovereign status and remains highly vulnerable. Somalis are being killed and their nation destroyed but the Muslim world has still not risen to save their brothers, while we see how the west is exerting emence pressure on Sudan to secure the Christian community in its south. Vulnerable Muslim communities need security forces from brotherly countries not forces from hostile countries who exhilarate war and massacre. It is also required of the Muslim World to put pressure on those responsible for securing the Muslim minorities or else face the severing of economic ties.

The Islamic belief also centers on unity and oneness of the Ummah. A believer is expected to feel the pain and suffering of another believer and try his best to eliminate or reduce his fellow believer's anguish. Therefore in the spirit of Islam Somalia or Kosovo is not another nation but the Nation of Islam who is suffering and requires help from his brothers whether in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia or Pakistan.

Now as the Ghalbah/might /authority of the Ummah is weak even sovereign Muslim states are not secure and they face the risks of war, oppression and sanctions. Such states are Pakistan, Syria and Turkey after Afghanistan and Iraq. Such threats will continue because the Nation of Islam did not rise to secure the first, second or third Muslim community and now the Muslim world is understood to be incompetent and self-centered Nationalists.

Beside this general conduct of a Muslim within different societies a Muslim has to understand the greater concept of Jihad.

"˜Jihad in reality is the essence or spark of faith'. When the will/spark to forge/Jihad is weak there is a danger of reluctance in the adherence of faith and up righteousness. Justice and human rights are soon undermined as no will effort Jihad is present to determine such fundamentals of human society. Such a person or society is susceptible to corruption and crime which later or sooner becomes devoid of "˜Peace' with war and destruction becoming its eventuality!

Let us further understand Jihad:  Jihad is better understood as in 2 capacities

1. Jihad e Saghera personal daily effort and

 2. Jihad e Akber the greater selfless effort.

Adhering to our Haquk Allah observance of 5 fundamentals and Haqukul Ibad/ family/social responsibilities in the best of manner is the believer's primary Jihad

In our personal daily existence we have to observe our Hudud boundaries. Most of us as human beings have observed that we best perform under some structure and routine, restricting or complying with certain rules and regulations. Islam as a complete way of life provides us with the structure Hudud and observing those hududs and controlling ones urges/nafs is also our Jihad.

Jihad e Akber is our adherence/submission to the creator Allah on a more supreme level. The effort Jihad is more on a conscious level of the believer and requires much sacrifice and selflessness. It may begin with the complete understanding of the believer's fundamental shahadah oath.

It is extremely important for us to understand exactly the meaning and responsibility upon taking the Shahadah/ Oath when entering Islam and becoming a Muslim.

Ashahadah:

Ash-hadu anla ilaha illal-Lahu Wahdahu la Sharika Lahu wa-ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu

I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, the One, without any partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger.

The word Islam is from the root word "˜slm' meaning peace, reconciliation. Moslm or Muslim means one who delivers peace. With taking the shahadah/oath A Muslim confesses to peace. A Muslim is the one who believes in the supreme authority of none but Allah and who acknowledges Muhammed (saw) as only the dutiful Messenger of Allah who delivered "˜Peace' Al-Islam. With this acknowledgement A Muslim a Peace Promoter is obligated to the duties and responsibilities upon him by his lord Allah.

The Islamic creed/Oath is no different from the Oath of a soldier when he enters into the Military service. The soldier promises to uphold the law and display courage and sincerity in the securing and guarding of his nation regardless of his life. The soldier is willing to sacrifice himself as in his flesh and blood for the sake of the nation. A Muslim's Oath Shahadah is not just an allegiance to a nation and a particular people but to the Creator himself the originator of all humanity and the ruler of the Alameen all the worlds, Jinn animals and humans. Therefore the Shahadah is the greatest of Oaths of submission and commitment to the cause of the Lord of the worlds.

A Muslim's Eman/Faith is not complete until he rises to the responsibility and duties to his creator Allah. A Muslim upon taking the Shahadah is automatically a Mujahid keeping the peace, guarding the law, community and the land of his Creator. We may be required to contribute physically as in person and flesh or give from our possessions and wealth or participate intellectually as in our knowledge and talent. (As our Lord may have programmed us)

Jihad e Akber is fe sabillilaah for the sake and love of Allah we are called upon to rise above our personal lives to unite with the cause of Allah without expecting or collecting any personal gains monetary or otherwise.

*If Allah has given us the potential to earn and donate generously from our earnings in the cause of Allah we may do so.

*If Allah has given us inheritance, land or any other valuables that we may donate for the cause of Allah we may do so.

*We may be professionally able to teach, cure or assist humanity in any other way by our talent and knowledge we may do so"¦.. fe sabillilaah.

What is the cause of Allah and why is it mandatory upon each Muslim to be the helper of Allah when required?

"Cause or Mission of Allah is nothing but " Peace"

We should not forget for a moment the true rightful ownership of this world, earth and the whole universe is with Allah its creator and Allah does not appreciate fasad, fitnah, harb, war, injustice and impurity on his Earth. It is our duty as a resident/ tenant on Allah's earth to keep it free of all corruptions.

Therefore Muslims the Peace Providers are expected to unite under the banner of the creator Allah and Jihad against oppression, injustice or thereat to the human lives and the way of Peace.

We must seek nearness to Allah the protector, the provider and the sustainer and what can be better than to join him in his cause! And that is establishing Peace.

The world is from Allah, and it has to run by the laws and commandments of Allah and all have to return to none other"¦. but Allah alone!

You may join forces physically by becoming "˜the front line Mujahid' in diplomatic efforts for peace. You may choose pacific activism to stimulate peace or you may give your wealth to promote peace or you may write and encourage peace or if required lawful martial action is taken to reduce the corruption or the corruptor and bring back the Peace.

These are 3 great Efforts/Jihad,  Jihad bil Batan/physical,  Jihad bil Mal/wealth and    Jihad bil Qalm/pen.

Not equal are the believers who have no impediment who stay [at home] and al-mujahiduna (those who do jihad) in the way of Allah with their properties and selves. Allah has favored al-mujahidina (those who do jihad) with their properties and selves above those who stay [at home] with a higher degree; and Allah has promised good to both. And Allah has favored al-mujahidina (those who do jihad) above those who stay [at home] with a mighty reward (4.95). [Madinite.]

 "˜The salvation of the world is only in unity against war and promotion of Peace and Justice'.

The world has always made and trained war instruments and personal but never has trained or made Peace instruments or personal, but Al-Islam trains Peace Makers and Promoters "˜The Muslim' to uphold the word of Allah and to provide equality and Justice to Allah's community on Earth.

A Muslim who has confessed to peace will not destroy property or take life without its threat being established. A true believer is the one who lives in moderation but gives excessively. A true believer forgives more than he avenges. A true believer despises ignorance and forges for knowledge.

 "O ye who believe! Shall I lead you to a bargain that will save you from a grievous Penalty?

That ye believe in Allah and his Messenger, and that ye strive your utmost in the cause of Allah, with your property and your persons: that will be best for you, if ye but knew!'

"He will forgive you your sins, and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow, and to beautiful mansions in gardens of eternity: that is indeed the supreme achievement. And another favor will he bestow, which ye do love- help from Allah and a speedy victory. So give glad tidings to the believers'.

"O ye who believe! Be ye helpers of Allah: as said Jesus the son of Mary to the disciples, "˜Who will be my helpers to the work of Allah?' Said the disciples, "˜We are Allah's helpers!' Then a portion of the children of Israel believed, and a portion disbelieved: but we gave power to those who believed, against their enemies, and they became the ones that prevailed'.     Surah 61 verses 10 to 14

May Allah select us for greatest of deeds and greatest of Jihad"¦"¦"¦..aameen.

Humbly

Furheen.