1- Offensive Jihad
2- Defensive Jihad

1- Offensive

Jihad is when the Muslims launch an offensive attack. If this attack is on the Kuffar who have previously received the message of Islam, then to call them towards Islam before commencement of the attack is considered preferable. However, if the message of Islam has not reached them, then the Kuffar will be invited towards Islam. If they reject this true faith, then they will have to pay Jizyah (Kufr tax). If they refuse to submit to the payment of Jizyah then the Muslims are to fight against them. With this type of Jihad the Kuffar who plot against the Muslims are repelled and their hearts are filled with fear, so that they do not succeed in their plans.

The offensive Jihad is Fardh Kifayah, the purpose of which is to ensure the Kuffar remain terrorised and away from mischief, thereby, allowing the message of Islam to be conveyed without any obstructions.

If one group of Muslims fulfil this obligation then it will be sufficient on behalf of all Muslims, but if there are no Muslims fulfilling this obligation then everyone is considered sinful.

It is stated in Fatawa Shami: It is required of the Imam (leader) of the Muslims to dispatch the army routinely once or twice a year towards the Kufr countries. It is also the duty of the Muslim public to assist the Imam in this noble cause. If the Imam does not send an army, then he will considered sinful.

The majority of Jihad undertaken at the time of our Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) was within the category of offensive Jihad.

The Quran has called upon the Muslims to undertake the offensive Jihad and when this obligation is satisfactorily fulfilled there would be no apparent need for the defensive Jihad.

When Muslims neglect this important obligation then they are subjected to the defensive Jihad and this has become, with regret, widely common in our time.

2- Defensive Jihad

Defensive Jihad is when the Kuffar enemy attacks, the Muslims, forcing them in to a defensive position. This is one of the most important obligations upon the Muslims. In researching and studying the Jihad work predecessors, we understand that Jihad is considered Fardh ayn under the following conditions:-

a) When the unbelievers attack upon a country or city belonging to the Muslims or if they gain control of a Muslim country.

b) When the unbelievers take Muslims captives.

c) When a Muslim woman is held by the Kuffar, to ensure her freedom is Fardh upon the whole Muslim Ummah.

d) When the Imam (leader) of the Muslims orders the Muslims to go for Jihad.

e) When the Kuffar and Muslims face each other in the battlefield and the battle takes place.

The explanation of fardh Ayn is that every person will go for Jihad to such an extent that the son will march forth without the permission of his father, the wife without the permission of her husband, the debtor without the permission of the creditor. The Jihad becomes fardh , firstly upon all the Muslims in the area being attacked. If the Muslims are not sufficient or they do not fulfil this Jihad, then it is obligatory upon the Muslims in the next town or country to assist.

If they too are not sufficient, then it will be fardh upon the next country until the fardh extends from the East to the West. In discussing the issue of defensive Jihad, Imam Ibne Taymiyah (ra) writes: 'The defensive Jihad means to fight to defend our religion and our honour, it is the most important obligation. There is no obligation after Iman considered more necessary to implement than the fighting against an enemy who has attacked to corrupt our world and our Hereafter. There is no condition for this Jihad, not even the necessities to travel or wealth, in fact every individual will confront the enemy according to his ability.' We also understand from the writings of our scholars that Jihad does not only become fardh ayn when the enemy attacks, but also when the enemy is at a distance of a Shara`ee journey (48 miles); Jihad then becomes fardh upon that town. (Nihayatul Muhtaj, p58 v.8)

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