CSS 2020 Solved Islamiyat Past Papers | Discuss Jihad in the light of Quran & Sunnah
The following question of Islamiat is solved by Miss Ayesha Irfan, the highest scorer in CSS Islamiat. Moreover, the question is attempted on the same pattern taught by Sir Syed Kazim Ali to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
The examiner has asked about the fundamental principles guiding jihad and terms and conditions for jihad grounded in the Quran and Sunnah, clarifying the specific requirements and limitations governing jihad. In this answer we will discuss the principles and terms and conditions for jihad in the light of Quran and Hadith. The first part is an outline, breaking the question into different parts. Moving further, an introduction is given, followed by an overview of the concept of jihad in Islam and its significance, principles, terms and conditions, and conclusion.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Concept of Jihad in Islam
3-Significance of Jihad in Quran and Sunnah
4-Principles for Jihad
- ✓Striving for the sake of Allah
- ✓Defending faith and protecting innocent lives
- ✓Fighting against oppression
- ✓Promoting justice and fairness
- ✓Ensuring proportionality
5-Terms and Conditions for Jihad
- ✓Seeking permission for jihad from legitimate authority
- ✓Ensuring just cause and right intentions
- ✓Exhausting all peaceful means before initiating jihad
- ✓Avoiding harm to non-combatants
- ✓Ceasing hostilities when the enemy desists
6-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Jihad refers to a noble sacred fight in the way of Allah for the verification of Muslim society free from cruelty, oppression and subjugation. It is a complex Islamic concept often misunderstood; jihad is about defence, not aggression. Allah has commanded in the Holy Quran that fighting for Islam is obligatory for Muslims. Moreover, Allah’s messenger has established honorable and strict order and principles for Jihad. These include defending faith and innocent human lives, ensuring proportionality, and avoiding unnecessary destruction and harm to non-combatants. Additionally, the Quran and Sunnah have established terms and conditions for Jihad that include permission from a legitimate authority, ensuring just cause and right intentions, and resorting to Jihad after all peaceful means are exhausted. These principles and terms and conditions for jihad give a clear understanding that helps to dispel misconceptions and a nuanced of this vital concept of Islam.
Concept of Jihad in Islam
The word Jihad is derived from the Arabic term Jahada, which means struggle or effort. This struggle may be an internal struggle, a greater jihad, a struggle to create a good Muslim society or a struggle to defend Islam. “Religiously, jihad is the expanding of utmost effort in upholding and defending justice,” said Sheikh Jaafar Idris. In Islam, jihad refers to any effort exerted in the way of Allah. Allah has ordered in the Quran to end persecution and establish religious freedom. Holy Prophet also emphasizes mercy, justice and compassion during the war as it is a sacred war that aims at spreading security, safety, mercy and compassion.
Significance of Jihad in the Quran and Sunnah
The Quran and Sunnah both emphasize jihad’s role in establishing justice, protecting the weak and spreading or defending Islam. Allah in the Quran commanded the Muslims to fight against oppression without exceeding limits and unnecessary destructions, only under specific conditions by following the principles and terms and conditions of jihad described in the Quran and Sunnah only for the sake of Allah.
“And fight them until there is no persecution (Fitnah) and religion is (freely practised) for Allah. But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors.”
(Al Baqrah-193)
Quran emphasizes peace maintenance, and in the same way, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made it clear that jihad is about defence, not aggression and consistently emphasized mercy, justice and restraint during the war.
Principles for Jihad
- Striving for the sake of Allah
Jihad must be undertaken purely for the sake of Allah and the intentions behind it should be to please Allah, not for personal gains or worldly desires. Allah says in the Quran,
“As for those who struggle in Our cause, We will surely guide them along our way.”
(Al Ankabut-69)
It is being reassured that Allah does not leave alone who strive in His cause sincerely, even at the risk of conflict with the entire work, and Allah succors and guide according to their sincerity and intensity of desire for good. Therefore, striving for the Allah is one of the core principles of jihad.
- Defending faith and protecting innocent life
Another core principle of jihad is the defence of the faith (Islam) and the protection of innocent human lives. Allah has commanded Muslims to fight against persecution and defend Islam when it is under attack. This defensive nature of jihad is clearly emphasized in the Quran.
“And fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you but do not transgress.”
(Al Baqrah-190)
The real intention of the verse is to show that Allah has ordered force and fight against those who wage war against Muslims, but at the same time, Allah has emphasized not to exceed the limit and maintain the peace.
- Fighting against oppression
Jihad refers to waging a war against tyranny and oppression. Muslims are commanded to support those who are oppressed and helpless by using force in the way of Allah, even if they are not Muslims. Allah says in the Quran,
“And what is (the matter) with you? You do not fight in the cause of Allah and (for) the oppressed among men, women and children who cry out.”
(Al Nisa-75)
This verse encourages Muslims to come out in the way of Allah and fight for those who are oppressed but do not gain any personal benefit from them.
- Promoting justice and fairness
All principles of jihad are aligned with justice. Muslims are encouraged to fight to suppress tyranny, establish justice, and eradicate oppression and all other wrongdoings that are against Islam.
“O Believers! Be upholder of justice and bearers of witness to truth for the sake of Allah.”
(Al Nisa- 135)
This verse underscores that jihad promotes justice and fairness in society; believers should put faith and trust in Allah and strive against injustice. And any unjustice act, even in warfare, negates its legitimacy.
- Ensuring proportionality
Muslims are obligated to use force against aggression they face, but excessive force is forbidden, ensuring proportionality in jihad. As Allah says in the Quran,
“And fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you but do not transgress.”
(Al Baqrah-190)
There should be proportionality in response to aggression and excess use of force should be controlled. This highlights the importance of the necessity of proportionality, and excessive violence, retaliation or unnecessary force is prohibited in Islam.
Terms and conditions for jihad in Islam
- Seeking permission for Jihad through Legitimate Authority
Jihad cannot be declared by individuals or groups on their own in Islam, but it must be sanctioned by a legitimate authority, such as a ruler or government, who carries out responsibility and proper oversight. This presents chaos and misuse of jihad for political or personal gains, also strengthening mujahedin when they are lead by a responsible leadership. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said,
“The ruler is a shield for the believers, they fight behind him, and they are protected by him.”
(Al Bukhari)
This hadith highlights the importance of following those in legitimate authority because a Muslim must organize and lead jihad to please Allah.
- Ensuring just cause and right intentions
In Islam, jihad must only be done for a just cause, such as defending the faith, protecting the oppressed or spreading Islam. And the intention behind jihad is critical, as it should be purely for the sake of Allah. Allah says in the Quran,
“permission to fight back is <hereby granted> to those being fought for they have been wronged. Allah is truly most capable of helping them < prevails>.”
(Al Hajj-39)
This verse underscores the insurance of just cause and right intentions and also strengthens the believers’ faith because they know Allah is with them and will help them.
- Exhausting all peaceful means before initiating jihad
Islam is a peaceful religion and also emphasizes that all peaceful solutions must be exhausted, such as negotiations, diplomacy and other non-violent mean, before initiation of armed jihad.
“But if the enemy inclined towards peace make peace with them. And put your trust in Allah.”
(Al Anfal- 61)
This verse calls Muslims for peace and to accept peace, as by following Quran orders, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made a peace agreement, the treaty of Hudaybiyyah, with the Quraysh.
- Avoiding harm to non-combatants
During jihad, Islam prohibits harming women, children, live stocks and destruction of corps. To ensure the sanctity of innocent lives and fight with those who are directly involved in the fight. As the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) instructed the soldiers,
“Do not kill women, children, or the elderly, and do not destroy homes and crops.”
(Sahih Bukhari)
This hadith lays down the explicit rules of jihad by protecting non- combatants and not overstepping the boundaries of jihad as designed by Quran and Sunnah.
- Ceasing hostilities when the enemy Desists.
Islam does not permit fighting for the sake of revenge; once the enemy ceases fighting, hostilities must come to an end. As Allah emphasizes in Quran,
“Then if they desist, know well that Allah is ever-forgiving and most passionate.”
(Al Al-Baqarah 192)
This verse depicts that jihad is directed only against the wrongdoers, not for perpetuating conflicts. If the enemy withdraws from war and offers peace, then Muslims are required to cease fighting immediately, as Islam focuses on reconciliation rather than prolonged wars and conflicts.
Conclusion
In Islam, Jihad is a multifaceted concern encompassing personal, spiritual, and physical struggles for the sale of Allah. The principles, terms, and conditions of jihad established in the light of the Quran and Sunnah ensure justice, peace, and protection of innocent lives. According to the Quran and Sunnah, Jihad is conducted justly, ethically, and with the right intentions to suppress operation and persecution by requiring permission from the Legitimate Authority for just cause and exhaustion of all peaceful means. However, jihad is used as a last resort and is followed by mercy and righteousness.
CSS Solved Past Papers’ Essays
Looking for the last ten years of CSS and PMS Solved Essays and want to know how Sir Kazim’s students write and score the highest marks in the essays’ papers? Then, click on the CSS Solved Essays to start reading them.
CSS Solved Essays
CSS Solved Islamiyat Past Papers
Want to read the last ten years’ Islamiyat Solved Past Papers to learn how to attempt them and to score high? Let’s click on the link below to read them all freely. All past papers have been solved by Pakistan’s top CSS Islamiyat coach having the highest score of their students.
CSS Solved Islamiyat
CSS Solved General Science & Ability Past Papers
Want to read the last ten years’ General Science & Ability Solved Past Papers to learn how to attempt them and to score high? Let’s click on the link below to read them all freely. All past papers have been solved by Pakistan’s top CSS GSA coach having the highest score of their students.
CSS Solved General Science & Ability
