ISLAM AND JIHAD 217of war) as defined in the Koran has been brought to Islam. Other scholars
see the “duty to fight” until the whole world is ruled by Islam and is
controlled or headed by a Muslim imam or leader.
Until recently it was considered, in theory, that the Shia Muslims could
not launch into a jihad until their “invisible” imam reappeared. This in-
visible or missing imam was, in 1979, considered to be the Ayatollah
Khomeini—at least by many in Iran.
Wars against nonbelievers were always right in the religious sense, in
that they are supported by many verses in the Koran. However, from a
legal sense they were also right. The ShariÛa, or Islamic Law, required
that a Muslim head of state organize annual raids into enemy territory as
a legal ritual to remind everybody, including the faithful, of their Islamic
obligations. Even in times of peace they were expected to undergo military
training as well as prepare their weapons for the jihad to come.
As time passed, later Islamic legal experts determined that a ruler could
fulfill his obligations by simply making the annual preparations for the
jihad, even if he did not then go to war. Historically, however, even these
preparations produced a momentum that made conflict almost inevitable.
The organization of an army in times past brought with it anticipation of
loot, women, and slaves. When a medieval Muslim ruler brought together
such a force without giving it the opportunity to vent its desire to gather
the anticipated booty, he ran the risk of mutiny.
When a holy war was declared and combat engaged, those about to be
attacked or those just defeated were given the opportunity, by Koranic
edict, to embrace Islam. The period for reflection, as mentioned earlier,
could be short. On occasion, select groups, that is, the “children of the
book” (Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians) were given the opportunity to
reconsider and accept status asdhimmisand to pay thejizya(tribute) and
kharadj(a tax paid on land). This was regarded as a generous concession.
Those who accepted Islam to escape this and reverted to their previous
religion faced death.
Surah III, 85–91.How shall Allah guide a people who disbelieved after
their belief and (after) they bore witness that the messenger is true and after
clear proofs (of Allah’s sovereignty) had come unto them[italics added].
And Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.
87.As for such, their guerdon[reward]is that on them rests the curse of
Allah and of angels and of men combined[italics added].- They will abide therein. Their doom will not be lightened, Neither
will they be reprieved. - Save those who afterward repent and do right. Lo! Allah is Forgiving,
Merciful.