Islam at War: A History

ISLAM AND JIHAD 215

The idea of the jihad, born at Badr, fed on Islamic confidence and a
sense of righteousness of Islam’s cause. Inspired by their sense of right
and the promises of paradise if they fall in their cause, jihadic warriors
can be fanatically courageous and ferociously single-minded. They should
never be underestimated because of this.
Islam added a new motive to the natural proclivity of the Arabic people
to war. Despite this, in the early years of Islam the jihad was not limited
to open war. Other forms of combat, aggression, and conflict could be
justified as holy. What the Koran states—or is interpreted to have stated—
is so absolute, however, that justification is meaningless and irrelevant.
As a result, murder and assassination have been part of holy wars through-
out the history of Islam.
Tradition and Koranic instructions about the jihad take the requirement
to participate in it to an individual level. This is clearly stated in Surah
III, 167–68:

167.And that He might know the hypocrites, unto whom it was said: Come,

fight in the way of Allah[italics added], or defend yourselves.They an-

swered: If we knew aught of fighting we would follow you. [i.e., refusing to

engage in the jihad.]On that day they were nearer disbelief than faith. They

utter with their mouths a thing that is not in their hearts. Allah is best aware

of what they hide.

168. Those who, while they sat at home, said of their brethren (who were
     fighting for the cause of Allah): If they had been guided by us they would
     not have been slain. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Then avert death from
     yourselves if ye are truthful.

The Surah III goes on to say that those who were “slain” have gone to
Paradise. As far as these verses go, however, it is clear that those who
were called to war and did not go were “hypocrites.” In later verses, the
Koran is clear as to the fate of hypocrites. By this verse, in the context of
others, the believing Muslim finds himself called to war or to face the fate
of hypocrites. That fate is laid out in several verses.

Surah LVII, 13. On the day when the hypocritical men and the hypocritical

women will say unto those who believe: Look on us that we may borrow

from you your light! It will be said: Go back and seek for light! Then there

will separate from them a wall wherein is a gate, the inner side whereof

containeth mercy, while the outerside thereof is toward the doom.

Surah XXXIII, 24. ThatAllah may reward the true men for their truth and

will punish the hypocrites[italics added] if He will, or relent toward them

(if He will). Lo! Allah is forgiving, Merciful.