The Quraish were very upset at their defeat in the battle of Badr and wanted to avenge their dead. They gathered a large force to attack the Muslims. The tribes of Tihama and Kinana joined them. Their united forces numbered three thousand well-equipped soldiers under the command of Abu Sufyan. This army marched towards Medina and occupied a vantage position near the hills of Uhud at a short distance of 3 miles from Medina. The Prophet marched out with a thousand men. On the way, Abdullah Ibn Ubayy with three hundred of his followers deserted and the Prophet was left with only seven hundred men.

The Prophet took up his position below the hill. The army was arrayed in fighting formations and fifty archers were posted, under Abdullah bin Jubair, at a pass between the hills to guard the army from any attack from the rear. They had strict order not to leave their post, whatever the outcome of the battle.

The standard was in the hands of Mus'ab ibn Umair; Zubair was in command of the other section and Hamza in command of the rest. On the side of the Meccans, Talha held the standard and the various regiments were under the charge of Khalid bin Walid, lkrema bin Abu Jahl, Safwan bin Umayya and Abdullah bin Umayya.

Talha challenged the Muslims to individual combat. The challenge was accepted by Ali bin Abi Talib and very soon Talha's dead body lay on the ground. The standard was taken by his brother Usman who was killed by Hamza. A general engagement then started. Ali, Hamza and Abu Dujana gave heroic accounts of their valour.

Hind, wife of Abu Sufyan had engaged an Abyssinian slave, Wahshi, to kill either Muhammad (s. a. w.). Ali or Hamza (in order to avenge the death of her father, Atbah, and brother, Walid at Badr at their hands). He singled Hamza out and threw a spear at him, which pierced his abdomen and killed him.

On the Meccans side, one standard bearer after another met his end. The Meccans were losing heart till one of their women, Umra, daughter of Algawa, took up the standard. The Meccans after paying a heavy toll fell back in disorder and the Muslims started gathering the booty. Thinking that the fight was over, majority of the archers guarding the passage in the hill left their posts to gather the spoils even against the orders of their leader Abdullah bin Jubair.

When Khalid bin Walid, who was fleeing, so such an opportunity, he gathered a group and launched a furious attack from the rear. The Muslims were taken so much by surprise that they did not know what to do. In the general melee their ranks got disorganised. The retreating Meccans forces rallied again and launched a fresh onslaught from the front. The Muslim standard bearer, Musa'ab bin Umair, who bore a great facial resemblance to the Prophet, was killed. Up went the cry that the Prophet had been killed. This threw the Muslims into further confusion and utter dismay. The companions fled away concerned only with their own safety.

On the other hand, many valiant soldiers entered the thick of the Meccan ranks, determined to fight to their last breath. This went on until Ka'ab bin Malik saw the Prophet and shouted at the top of his voice that the Prophet was still alive. The spirit of the Muslims revived but the Prophet now became the chief target of the Meccan forces.

Abdullah bin Qame-a who was known for his valour among the Quraish, advanced towards the Prophet and struck a sword on his head. His two upper teeth were cut out by sword of another infidel. He had fallen in a pit where Ali bin Abi Talib found him and protected him against the continuous furious onslaught of the Meccans.

When Ali's sword broke down, the Holy Prophet gave him his sword "Dhul-Fiquar".

The Meecan forces had turned the tables but they were too exhausted to take advantage of either attacking Medina or by driving the Muslims from the heights of the hill.

With victory almost within their grasp, the Muslims had suffered a heavy blow. They were shaken in body and spirit.

The Meccans were determined to destroy the Muslims. This aim they could not achieve. Their infantry had suffered such losses that they could not even press home the advantage they gained in the last stages of the battle. It is not surprising, therefore, that they marched back to Mecca frustrated and dispirited.

The defeat of Uhud did create serious difficulties for the Muslims for it emboldened the nomadic tribes on the one hand to make forays upon Medina and encouraged the Jews of Medina, on the other, to foment further trouble.

The First Battle Of Islam

The Quraysh had begun preparations to attack Medina. Led by Abu Sufyan, the trade caravan left for Syria.

Every Quraishite had put all his savings in that caravan and all the profit made that year would be spent on arms, horses and other items of war against Muslims of Medina.

This news did cause much anxiety in Medina. When Abu Sufyan was returning from Syria, he feared that the Muslims might intercept the trade caravan. He sent a messenger well in advance to inform the leaders of the Quraysh of his fears. On receiving this message, a well-equipped army of one thousand Meccans marched towards Medina under the command of Abu Jahl.

With an ill-equipped body of three hundred and thirteen people having between them only two horses and seventy camels, the Prophet proceeded to Badr to meet the Meccan army. After individual combats, according to the custom of the Arabs, between Hamza, Ali and Obaidah on. the side of the Muslims and Utbah,

Shaiba and Walid bin Atba (all Umayyads) from the Meccan ranks. When the three enemies were defeated (Ubayda was hurt and the other two killed), the Quraysh were disturbed and a pitched battle ensued.

The Muslims got the upper hand. The Meccans were driven back and left seventy dead including a number of their notable chiefs, and seventy of them were taken prisoners. The Muslim force had lost fourteen men. The prisoners were treated with kindness. The rich prisoners paid ransom and were set free.

The others were asked to teach ten children each to read and write and this teaching was to count as their ransom. The defeat made the Meccans very bitter and furious and the word "revenge" was on all lips.

http://ummah.net/alsalafyoon/EnglishPosts/jihad2.html

Jihad And Expedition

(Kitab Al-Jihad Wal-Siyar)

Narrated Burayd(Sahih Muslim 8:4294):

When the Messenger of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) appointed anyone as leader of an army or detachment he would especially exhort him to fear Allah and to be good to the Muslims who were with him. He would say: Fight in the name of Allah and in the cause of Allah. Fight against those who do not believe in Allah. Wage a holy war: do not embezzle the spoils, do not break your pledge, do not mutilate (the dead) bodies and do not kill the children.

When you meet enemies who are polytheists, invite them to three courses of action. If they respond to any one of these, you also accept it and restrain yourself from doing them any harm. Invite them to (accept) Islam; if they respond to you, accept it from them and desist from fighting against them. Then invite them to migrate from their lands to the land of Muhajirs and inform them that, if they do so, they shall have all the privileges and obligations of the Muhajirs. If they refuse to migrate, tell them that they will have the status of Bedouin Muslims and will be subjected to the Commands of Allah like other Muslims, but they will not receive any share from the spoils of war or Fay' except when they actually fight with the Muslims (against the nonbelievers). If they refuse to accept Islam, demand from them the Jizyah. If they agree to pay, accept it from them and hold your hand. If they refuse to pay the tax, seek Allah's help and fight them.

When you lay siege to a fort and the besieged appeal to you for protection in the name of Allah and His Prophet, do not accord to them the guarantee of Allah and His Prophet, but accord to them your own guarantee and the guarantee of your companions. It is a lesser sin that the security given by you or your companions be disregarded than that the security granted in the name of Allah and His Prophet be violated. When you besiege a fort and the besieged want you to let them out in accordance with Allah's Command, do not let them come out in accordance with His Command, but do so at your (own) command, for you do not know whether or not you will be able to carry out Allah's behest with regard to them.

The Call to Jihad in the Qur’an

Praise is to Allah who has ordained al-Jihad (the holy fighting in Allah’s cause):

1. with the heart ( intentions or feelings)

2. with the hand (weapons, etc.)

3. with the tongue (speeches, etc. in the way of Allah) Allah has revealed the one who performs it with lofty dwellings in the Gardens of paradise.

I testify that there is none who has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone and He has no partners with Him. I also testify that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger, peace be upon him, the one sent by Allah as mercy for the alamin (mankind and jinn) the one commanded by Allah to fight against the mushrikun and all those who ascribe partners with Allah). He fought in Allah’s cause with all his power and ability- may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, upon his followers and upon his Companions who believed in him, and honored him, helped him and followed the light and his Sunnah which was revealed to him, those who emigrated and fought in the way of Allah with their wealth and their lives, they were supreme conquerors and the masters.

It is well known how the Messenger, peace be upon him, was fighting against he mushrikun since Allah the Most Respectful, the All-Majestic sent him and honored him with the Messengership until Allah caused him to die and selected for him what was with Him (paradise and all that is good).

The Prophet used to visit the people in their gatherings during season days and other days too. He used to come in their market places, recite the Qur’an, invite them to Allah the Most High, the Most Respectful, the All-Majestic and say: "Who will give me a safe shelter, and who will support me till I convey the Message of my Lord (Allah) then he will have paradise" But he would not find none to support him or to give him a safe shelter.

He (Muhammad) carried on inviting people to Allah (Islamic Religion) and persisted in (this invitation for 13 years in spite of the harm and injuries (which he suffered) , and he used to forgive the ignorant...in order that Allah’s proof be established against them (disbelievers) and that His promise be fulfilled to them (disbelievers) which He assured them with His statement :

"And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger" (to give warning) (17:15)

The people continued in their transgression, they did not take guidance from the manifest proof. The Quraish (people) oppressed and harmed all those who followed him (Muhammad) from his tribe, put them to trials and afflictions in order to screen them from their religion (Islam), even to the extent that they exiled them from their homeland, some of them fled to Ethiopia, some went to Al-Medina (Al-Munawwara) and some remained patient (at Mecca) in spite of the harm they received; by being imprisoned, made to suffer from hunger and thirst and by being beaten (in a horrible manner). . . so much so that some of them were not able to sit straight from the severity (of the injuries) of the beating.

They used to tie a rope round the neck of Bilal (Allah be pleased with him) and give the end of that rope in the hands of boys to play and pull him with it through the pathways of Mecca. And so what Yasir’s family encountered from the torment was beyond what a normal human can tolerate .

The Quraish (people) harmed Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, (Muhammad) (too), they besieged him in Ash-Shi'b, once 'Uqbah ibn Abi Mu'ait tried to strangle him and he kept on squeezing the Prophet’s clothes round his neck till the eyes of the Prophet bulged out, and Abu-Bakr rushed at 'Uqbah and released the Prophet from him and said, "Would you kill a man because he says: My lord is Allah?

Abu Jahl also tried to kill the Prophet while the latter was in prostration praying in the Holy Mosque, he carried a huge stone to throw it on the Prophet’s head. But when he (Abu Jahl) tried to throw it he turned on his heels full of fear and fright saying: "I am being prevented from Muhammad by a huge stallion camel intending to swallow me."

And when Allah wanted to reveal His religion (Islam) and to fulfill His promise and to make victorious His Prophet Allah the Most High ordered him to emigrate to Al-Medina. So he stayed there and Allah supported him with His victory and with His slaves the faithful believers - the Islamic army unit composed of different sorts of people (black, white, and red). They strove hard for him with all their efforts, and preferred his love to the love of (their) fathers, offspring and wives.

So he was closer to them (believers) than their ownselves i.e. (he was their guardian in all their affairs). And the (pagan) Arabs and Jews had formed a united front against them (Muhammad and his followers) and had put up all their efforts of, enmity, standing and fighting against them . . . and (in fact) they shouted against them from every corner. Then, at that time Allah permitted them (Muhammad and his followers) "The (Jihad) fighting" but he did not make it obligatory. He said:

"Permission to fight is given to those (i.e. believers against those disbelievers) who are fighting (them, and) because they (believers) have been wronged, and surely Allah is able to give (believers) victory. . . (22:39)

(They are) those who have been expelled from their homes unjustly only because they said: "Our Lord is Allah (22:40)

That means that He (Allah) is able to give victory to his worshipers (the believers) without fighting, but Allah wants from His worshipers obedience with all their efforts. As in His statement;

"So when you meet those who disbelieve (in fight) smite at their necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond (take them as captives) firmly (on them). Thereafter (is the time for) either generosity i.e. free them without ransom or, ransom (according to what benefits Islam), until the war lays down its burdens. This (are you commanded) but if it had been Allah’s will He Himself could certainly have punished them (without you). But (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are killed in the way of Allah, He will never let their deeds be lost." (47: 4). He will guide them and improve their conditions,

(47:5) And admit them to Paradise which He has made known to them (i.e. they will know their places in Paradise more than they know their homes in this world) (47:6).

Then after that He made (Jihad) ‘fighting" obligatory against all those who fight you (Muslims),m so He said: And fight in the way of Allah those who fight you. (2:190)

Then Allah revealed in Sura Bara’at (Repentance, IX) the order to discard (all) the obligations (covenants, etc.) and commanded the Muslims to fight against all the pagans as well as against the people of the scriptures (Jews and Christians) if they do not embrace Islam, till they pay the Jizya (A tax levied on the Jews and Christians who do not embrace Islam and are under the protection of an Islamic government) with willing submission and feel themselves subdued (as it is revealed in the verse 9:29). So they (Muslims) were not permitted to abandon "the fighting" against them (Pagans, Jews and Christians) and to reconcile with them and to suspend hostilities against them for an unlimited period while they are strong and have the possibility of fighting against them.

So at first "the fighting" was forbidden, then it was permitted and after that it was made obligatory - (1) against those who start "the fighting" against you (Muslims). . . (2) And against all those who worship others along with Allah. . as mentioned in Sura Al-Baqara (II) Al’Imran (III), and Bara’at (IX). . . and other Suras (Chapters of the Qur’an).

Allah made "the fighting" (Jihad) obligatory for the Muslims and gave importance to the subject matter of Jihad in all the Suras (Chapters of the Qur’an) which were revealed (at Medina) as it is in Allah’s statement:

"March forth whether you are light (being healthy, young and wealthy) or heavy (being ill, old and poor) and strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. That is better for you if you (but) knew." (9:41)

And He said: Muslim holy war (Jihad) is ordained for you (Muslims) and you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know (2:216)

So "The fighting"; even though by its nature is disliked by the human soul because of the liability of being killed or being taken as a captive, or being injured, with the wasting of the wealth, the damaging of the industry, the destruction of the country, the spreading of fear and awe in the souls and the (possibility) of being exiled from one’s homeland. Allah has made ready an immensely good reward that can not be imagined by a human soul.

"Ikrama (a religious scholar) said: At first Muslims disliked it (Jihad), but later they loved it and said: "We listen and obey." And that is because the submission to the order includes hardship, but if the reward is made known it becomes easy for one’s self in comparison with the estimation of (its) hardship. And the verses of the Book (Qur’an) and Sunnah (The Prophet’s Tradition) have exhorted greatly for Jihad and have made quite clear its rewards, and praised greatly those who perform Jihad (the Muslim Holy War-fare) and explained to them the news of various kinds of honors which they will receive from their Lord (Allah). This is because they (Mujahideen) are Allah’s troops. Allah will establish His religion (Islam), with them (Mujahideen). He will repel the might of His enemies, and with them He will protect the light of Islam and guard thereligion safely. And it is they (Mujahideen) who fight against the enemies of Allah in order that the worship should be all for Allah (alone and not for any other deity) and that the word of Allah (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and His religion Islam) should be upper most. And He has made them (Mujahideen) partners in reward along with all those who guard Islam with their weapons, along with their good deeds which they performed even if they sleep in their homes. And the legislator put the one who brings about a thing to happen equal in rank to its doer, both in reward (for a good-deed) and in punishment (for a crime). So the inviter to a good deed and the inviter to all evil deed both will have a reward (good or bad) equal to the reward of the one who has done that (good or evil) deed.

And sufficient is Allah’s statement in this matter:

"O you who believe! Shall I guide you to a commerce that will save you from a painful torment: (61:10).

So the inviter to a good deed and the inviter to an evil deed both will have a reward (good or bad) equal to the reward of the one who has done that (good or evil) deed.

And sufficient is Allah’s statement in this matter:

"O you who believe! Shall I guide you to a commerce that will save you from a painful torment" (61:10).

So the souls became filled with the yearning desire for this profitable commerce which Allah the Lord of the worlds, the All-Knower, the All-Wise directed the people-towards . . .

Allah said:

"That you believe in Allah and His a Messenger (Muhammad) and that you strive hard and fight in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives (in this world). . .

So Allah said: "That will be better for you than your staying (back at home).

Allah said: "If you do so (i.,e. Jihad) He will forgive you, your sins, and (along with the forgiveness) admit you into gardens of Eternity - that is indeed the great success." (61: 12).

So it was as if they (the souls) said (as regards the above verse). This is for us in the Hereafter and there is nothing for us in this world . Then Allah said :

"And (he will give you) another blessing which you love: Help from Allah (against your enemies) and a near victory - And give glad tidings (O Muhammad) to the believers. (61:13)."

Good - gracious (indeed) how nice are these (Allah’s) words and how they get attached to the human hearts. How great is the attraction for them and (how they) lead one towards one’s Lord (Allah). How soothing are they for the hearts of every lover (of good). How great is the contentment of the heart and a happy life when one understands their meaning. So we ask Allah to give us His blessings.

And Allah said: [(As to this aspect (of Jihad)]: "Do you consider the giving of water to drink to Pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque (of Mecca) as equal to (the worth of) those who believe in Allah and the last day, and strive hard and fight in the cause of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah and Allah guides not the wrongdoing people (9:19)

Those who believed, emigrated and strive hard and fought in Allah’s cause with their properties and their lives are far higher in degree in Allah’s sight. They are (the people) who will be successful. (19:20).

"Their Lord (Allah) gives them glad tidings of Mercy from Him, and that He is pleased (with them) and of gardens (of Paradise) for them wherein are delights that endure "(9:21).

"They will dwell therein forever. Verily, with Allah is a great reward "(9:22)

So Allah, the Most High, be He glorified above all that they ascribe to Him, informs that those who maintain the Sacred Mosque (of Mecca). [and their maintenance of the Mosque means to do I’tikaf in it, the Tawaf (circumambulation) of the Ka’ba, and the offering of prayers in it, etc.] mentioned in the above said verse - and those who give water to drink to the Pilgrims are not equal to those who did Jihad in Allah’s cause. Allah informed that the believers who fight in Allah’s cause (Mujahideen) are far superior in grades before Him and it is they who will be successful.

And they are the ones who have received the glad tidings of: 1) His Mercy, 2) His being pleased with them, 3) and gardens (of Paradise).

So Allah denied the equality between the Mujahideen (those who fight in Allah’s cause) and those who maintain the Sacred Mosque (of Mecca) along with the various kinds of worship, inspite of His praising those who maintain the mosques in His statement:

"The mosques of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the last day, offer prayers perfectly, give obligatory charity a;and fear non but Allah. It is they who are expected to receive true guidance. (9:18).

So it is they (above said people) who are [called by Allah] as "the maintainers of the mosques" - And inspite of all this, still the people who do Jihad are far superior in grade than them (maintainers of the mosques) before Allah.

And Allah said "Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) except those who are disable (by injury, or are blind, or are lame, etc.) and those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah. He has preferred in grade those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and lives to those who sit (at home). Unto each Allah has promised good, but Allah has preferred those who strive hard and fight above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward -0 (4:95).

Degrees of (higher Grades from Him, Forgiveness and Mercy. And Allah is ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (4:96).

So He (the Almighty) denied the equality between the believers who sit (at home) and join not in Jihad - and the Mujahideen (those who fight in Allah’s cause) - Then He mentioned the superiority of the Mujahideen over those (believers) who sit (at home) and join not it Jihad - and the Mujahideen (those who fight in Allah’s cause) - Then He mentioned the superiority of the Mujahideen over those (believers) who sit (at home) by a grade and then later on mentioned their (Mujahideen) superiority over them (believers who sit at home) by degrees of grades.

Ibn Zaid (a religious scholar) said: These degrees of grades with which Allah preferred the Mujahideen over those (believers who sit (at home) are seven and these Allah mentioned in His statement: "That is because they suffer neither thirst, nor fatigue, nor hunger in the cause of Allah, nor step they any step to raise the anger of disbelievers or inflict any injury (killing, robing or taking captive, etc.) upon an enemy, but is written to their credit as a good deed. Surely Allah loses not the reward of the doers of good (9:120).

So these are five - Then Allah said: Nor do they spend any thing (in Allah’s cause) small or great nor cross a valley, but it is written to their credit. (9:121).

And sufficient is this excellence - (for a Mujahid which he will receive) honor and high degrees of grade - along with other things which Allah has made clear in the Qur’an: about the description of the reward of Mujahideen, their magnificent state, moving of feelings and sentiments, the demanding of sacrifice in the cause of inviting others to Islam, to put strength and courage in the souls and to urge them to go forward and be stable and firm, and Allah will grant them victory and support them with the angels. It is narrated in the book Sahih-Al-Bukhari Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, said: "Any one whose feet get covered with dust in Allah’s cause will be forbidden from the Hell-Fire." (Vol. 4th, Hadith no. 66).

It is also narrated in the two books (Bukhari and Muslim): A man said: "O Allah’s Messenger! Inform me of a thing that is equal to Jihad (in Allah’s cause)" The Prophet said: "you cannot (do that)." The man said: "Inform me of that." The Prophet said: "can you fast continuously without eating or drinking (at all) and stand continuously in prayer from the time the Mujahideen go out for Jihad (fill the time they return back home)?" The man replied, "No," The Prophet said: "That is (the thing) which is equal to Jihad."

Likewise Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, said:

1) The souls of the martyrs are in the bodies of green birds dwelling in paradise wherever they like.

2) That all their sins and faults are forgiven.

3) That he can intercede with Allah for seventy (70) of his family members.

4) That he will come secure on the Day of Resurrection from the great terror.

5) That he will not feel the agonies and distress of death

6) That he will not be horrified by the (great) Gathering (on the Day of Resurrection).

7) That he does not feel the pain of "the killing" except like that of a pinch. And how many agonies and distresses are there for a person who dies on his bed - and a standing (praying) or sleeping person in Jihad is better than a fasting or standing (praying) person not in Jihad. - And whosoever acted as a guard or escort in Allah’s cause, his eyes will never witness the fire (Hell) and that a day spent while one is in Jihad for Allah’s cause is better than the world and whatsoever is in it. If one has understood (all) that, then Allah has reproached those who remained behind from Allah’s Messenger during the battle of Tabuk (i.e. they did not join in it) - they who cling heavily to the luxuries of this world - they who lagged behind from hastening onwards to march forth (for the battle of Tabuk) - As Allah said: "O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the cause of Allah (i.e. go for Jihad) you cling heavily to the earth? Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than with the Hereafter? But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter - " (9:38). Similarly Allah disapproved of those who abandoned Jihad (i.e. they did not go for Jihad) and attributed to them hypocrisy and disease in their hearts, and threatened (all) those who remain behind from Jihad and sit (at home) with horrible punishment. He (Allah) accused them with the most ugly descriptions, rebuked them for their cowardice and spoke against them (about their weakness and their remaining behind) as He said: "If you march not forth, I will punish you with a painful torment and will replace you by another people and you cannot harm Me at all, and Allah is able to do all things - " (9:39). And there are many verses of the Qur’an after this verse (that threaten the Muslim nation if they give up Jihad). And you will not find any organization part or present, religious or non-religious as regards (Jihad and military) (ordering) the whole nation to march forth and mobilize all the them into active military service as a single row for Jihad in Allah’s cause so as to make superior the word of Allah (i.e. non has the right to be worshipped but Allah), as you will find in the Islamic Religion and its teachings. The book (Qur’an and the Sunnah (Tradition of the Prophet Muhammad) has clearly given (wonderful explanation for) each and every act concerning Jihad. The Book has distributed its different actions and its great number of responsibilities on its special units, a most accurate distribution that excels above all the modern organizations and he military teachings. And in fact these modern organizations and military teachings are only a portion (drop) from the military laws of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The verses of Qur’an and the traditions of Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, Muhammad are both flooded with these high meanings, calling with eloquent phrases in a crystal clear way. The Muslims were ordered to take all precautions against the enemies of Allah and to get ready against them with all they can of power - because that is the first step for Jihad (fighting) and the supreme way for the defense. To get ready (for Jihad) includes various kinds of preparations and weapons (Tanks, missiles, artillery, airplanes (air force), naval ships (navy) etc. and the training of the soldiers in these weapons) are all included under (the meaning) of the word "force" (i.e. land-force, navy and air-force). And to look after (take-care of) the permanent forces as well as the stationed forces similar to looking after the mobile forces. And to take care of the army in peace-time as well as during War-time. The foundation of the military spirit is as they say: Obedience and military discipline. Allah has gathered these foundations in the verses of His Book (Qur’an). As to the obedience: Allah said: "Those who believe say: Why is not a chapter (of he Qur’an) sent down (for us). But when a decisive chapter (explaining and ordering things) is sent down and fighting (Jihad) is mentioned (i.e. ordained) therein, you will see those in whose hearts there is a disease (of hypocrisy) looking at you with a look of one fainting to death. But their (i.e. hypocrite’s) destruction is very near (47:20). And as to the military discipline: Allah said: (Surat-us-Saf) "Rows or ranks." "Verily! Allah loves those who fight in His cause in rows (ranks) as if they were a solid structure." (61:4). Similarly the Islamic Armed forces are exhorted to swear their allegiance for: to listen and obey, in hard times and in ease, and in likeness (i.e. to listen and obey while one is active) and in dislikeness (i.e. to listen and obey when one is tired). Allah said: "Verily those who are swearing allegiance to you (O Muhammad) they are (in fact) swearing allegiance to Allah" (48:10). Remember when you (Muhammad) said to the believers: Is it not enough for you that Allah should help you with three (3) thousand angels sent down? Yes - if you keep patient and pious and the enemy comes rushing at you; Your Lord will help you with five thousand angels having marks (of distinction). Allah made it not but as a message of good news for you and as an assurance to your hearts, but there is no victory except from Allah the All-Mighty, the All-Wise (3:124, 125,126). "So do not become weak (against your enemy) and be not sad and you are superior (in victory) if you are indeed believers. If a wound and killing has touched you, be sure, a similar wound and killing has touched the others. And so are the days (of varying fortune). We give to men and men by turns, that Allah may test those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from among you. And Allah likes not the wrong-doers, and that Allah may purify the believers and destroy the disbelievers. Do you think that you will enter Paradise before Allah tests those of you who fought (in His cause) and (also) tests those who remained steadfast? (3:139, 140, 141, 142). And Allah informed about those who are martyred in His way. They are alive and that they are with their Lord Allah finding what they wish of provisions and their faces are delighted with glad tidings. As Allah said: Think not of those who are killed in the way of Allah as dead. Nay, they are alive, (they are) with their Lord and they have provision (3:169). They rejoice in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty, rejoicing for the sake of those who have not yet joined them, but are left behind (not yet martyred) that on them no fear shall come, nor shall they grieve. (3:170). They rejoice in a grace and bounty from Allah and that Allah will not waste the reward of the believers. Those who answered (the call of) Allah and the Prophet Muhammad after being wounded for those of them who did good deeds and refrain from wrong - there is great reward. (3:169,170,171,172), And He (Allah) said: "Let them (believers) fight in the cause of Allah those who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter and whoso fights n the cause of Allah and is killed or gets victory, We shall bestow on hi m a great reward (4:74). And so on - There are other similar verses (in the Qur’an) - after these. So consider deeply dear brother in Islam, how Allah encourages the spirit to make His word superior and to protect the weak, and to rescue the oppressed ones. Also, think deeply how Jihad disconnected with prayers and fasting. It is made obvious that Jihad is similar to both of them, and all the three. (Jihad, prayers and fasting) are ordained (by Allah) for the believers. See how Allah has encouraged the cowardly men to plunge themselves into the battles, to face death with an open heart, and to run madly for it (Jihad) with great encouragement, showing clearly to them that death will certainly overtake them, and in case they die as Mujahideen (Martyrs) they will be compensated for their worldly life with a mighty compensation and they will not be dealt with unjustly in the very least. And Jihad is a very wide gate and there is no deed whose reward or blessing is as great as that of it, and for this reason,m it is the best thing that one can volunteer for. All the Muslim religious scholars unanimously agree that Jihad is superior to Hajj and ‘Umra (Pilgrimage) and also superior to non-obligatory prayers and fasting as mentioned in the Book (Qur’an) and Sunnah (Prophet’s traditions). It is obvious that the benefits of Jihad for us are in general (from all sides), it (Jihad) includes all kinds of worship both hidden and open, it also includes (a great) love for Allah and it shows one’s sincerity to Him and it also shows one’s trust in Him, and it indicates the handing over or one’s soul and property to Him - it (Jihad) shows one’s patience, one’s devotion to Islam, one’s remembrance to Allah and there are other kinds of good deeds which are present in Jihad and are not present in any other act of worship. For these mentioned above (degrees of grades and various kinds of worship one should race for Jihad). It is confirmed in the two authentic Books (of Hadith); Narrated Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him), I heard Allah Messenger, peace be upon him, saying: By Him in WHOSE hands my soul is! Were it not for some men amongst the believers who dislike to be left behind me, and whom I cannot provide with means of conveyance, i would certainly never have left behind me, and whom I cannot provide with means of conveyance, I would certainly never have left behind any army unit going out for Jihad in Allah’s cause. By Him in Whose Hands my life is! I would love to be martyred in Allah’s cause and then get resurrected and then be martyred and then get resurrected again and then be martyred and then get resurrected again and then be martyred. (Sahih-Al-Bukhari. Vol. 4 Hadith No. 54). So the Prophet through his ways of life, his dress, his courage, and his patience has deeply encouraged the Mujahideen for Allah’s cause. He informed them of Jihad’s advanced and delayed reward that is for them, and how different kinds of evils Allah repels with it, and what a great honor, power dignity and high grade is obtained through it. So the Prophet said: "Paradise has one hundred grades, the distance between each of two grades is like the distance between the heaven and the earth, and these grades Allah has reserved for the Mujahideen who fight in His cause" (as mentioned in the two authentic Books of Hadith). And Allah praised those who are true to (their ) covenant and who fulfill their promise,m by His statement: "Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah, of them some have fulfilled their obligations to Allah (i.e. have been martyred) and some still are waiting but they have never changed n the least. (33:23). And He ordered the believers to take a firm stand against the enemy when you (believers) meet their force, and to remember Allah (much) at the time of horror as He said: "O you who believe! When you meet (an enemy) force take a firm stand against them and mention much (and often) the name of Allah (both with tongue and mind), so that you may be successful. (8:45) And He (Allah) encouraged the Mujahideen in His cause to take a firm stand without any (kind) of fear and to display true bravery (against the enemy) from the start of the battle to the end - as He said: "So when you meet those who disbelieve (in fight) smite at their necks till you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond (i.e. take them as captives) firmly (on them). Thereafter (is the time for) either generosity (i.e. free from them without ransom) or ransom (according to what benefits Islam), until the war lays down its burdens" (47:4). And don’t be weak in pursuit of the enemy, if you are suffering (hardships) then surely they (too) are suffering (hardships) as you are suffering, but you hope from Allah that for which they hope not; and Allah is ever All-Knowing, All-Wise (4:104). And so many a Prophet fought (in Allah’s cause) and along with him (fought) large bands of religious learned men. But they never lost heart for which befell them in Allah’s way, nor did they weaken (in will), nor did they degrade themselves. And Allah loves the steadfast. (3:146) Similarly He ordered the Mujahideen) to have confidence, to keep (their) body parts calm and quiet and to expel (from their minds) all wrong conceptions, weakness and sadness - as He said: "So do not become weak (against your enemy) and be not sad, and you are superior (in victory), if you are indeed believers - (3:139). And Allah informed that He has given a guarantee of victory to those who will defend Allah’s Religion (true Islam). And there is no consideration for the number or for the equipment with weapons but (the most important thing) is: The true faith in Allah and that the victory is (always) from Allah - as Allah said: "if Allah helps you, none can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in Allah (Alone) the believers put their trust - (3:160). How often a small group overcame a mighty host by Allah’s leave? And Allah is with the steadfast. (2;249). "O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of ) Allah, He will help you and make your foothold firm. - (47:7). "And verily OUR Word has gone forth of old for OUR slaves, the Messengers, that they verily will be victorious; and that OUR hosts, they verily will be the overcomers. (37:171,172,173). And (as for) the believers it was incumbent upon US to help (them). - (30:47). Similarly the Holy Qur’an points out the well-known fact that the battle is by turns, (one) day (victory) is for you - (the other) day (victory) is for others - as Allah said: "if a wound and killing has touched you be sure a similar wound and killing has touched the others. And so are the days (of varying fortunes) we give to men and men by turns." - (3:140). And He made "the mutual consultation" as one of the legal foundations in order to make an exact decision, particularly in important matters like Jihad and dealing with enemies etc. and He praised His believer - slaves for this quality by His statement: "And - Who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation." - (42:38). And inspite of the perfection of the intelligence of Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, and along with his being helped by Divine Inspiration still Allah ordered him (saying): "And consult them in the affair." (3:159). So that his followers may follow his example after him. Similarly the Holy Qur’an warned (the believers) from committing sins (both in open and in secret) small sins or great sins . . . and He informed them that Allah’s Help does not descend upon the disobedient sinners: Those of you who turned back on the day, the two hosts met (i.e. Battle of Uhud) - it was Satan who caused them to backslide (run away from the battlefield) because of some (evil) they had earned (3:155). He has absolutely forbidden any dispute on any matter concerning the Fighting (battle) and to be always in complete agreement (about it), and informed them that the dispute is the reason for the failure and the losing of the strength and Kingdom: "And do not dispute (with one another) lest you become cowards and your Kingdom and strength depart and be patient. Surely Allah is with those who are patient" (8:46). And to beware of fleeing from the enemy during the fight (battle), and it is one of the biggest sins and its committers (the defeated ones) are threatened with crushing punishments: "O you who believe! When you meet those who disbelieve in a battlefield, never turn your backs to them" (8:15). "And whosoever turns his back to them on such a day, unless it be a strategem of War, or to retreat to a troop (of his own); he indeed has drawn upon himself wrath from Allah. And his abode is Hell: - an evil destination." (8:16). And Allah forbade the taking (of a part) of War-Booty illegally, and warned the Muslims from it with an extreme warning . . . And that person who takes it, shall bring it forth (on the Day of Resurrection) carrying it over his back and neck, being tortured by its heavy burden and weight, terrified with its voice, rebuked for his dishonesty in front of all the witnesses (mankind and the present ones): "It is not for any Prophet to take illegally a part of booty. And whosoever deceives his companions as regards booty, he shall bring forth on the Day of Resurrection what he took (illegally). Then every soul shall be paid in full what it has earned. And they shall not be dealt with unjustly". . . (3:161). Similarly one should be cautious, not to fight (with the intention to show off, or for good reputation for dignity, or for pride and haughtiness , or for the clamour (noise) of nationalism and for false-forged Slogans. Whenever the Messenger, peace be upon him, appointed a Chief-Commander for an army unit, he used to advise him specially to be afraid and dutiful to Allah, and to be good to those Muslims who were accompanying him. he then used to say (to that Commander): "Invade in the name of Allah and for the cause of Allah and kill those who disbelieve in Allah. Invade and do not press heavily by exceeding the limits, and do not betray, and do not kill children. . ." And he (the Prophet) used to say to his companions when they intended invasion: "Proceed in the name of Allah and for Allah and upon the Religion of Allah’s Messenger: Do not kill a very old man or a child or a woman and do not press heavily by exceeding the limits. Collect the (War) booty, reconcile, and do good as Allah loves the go od-doers." For that, the Messenger, peace be upon him, and those who believed with him were tried with pleasant trials (Martyrdom or mighty reward) to make victorious this religion (Islam) and to invite others for it (Islam). So Allah assisted them with victory and sent down upon them tranquility and helped them with angels and united their hearts and casted terror into the hearts of their enemies. So fight in the cause of Allah (for) Islamic Faith (worshiping non but Allah Alone) and sincerely (for Allah’s sake) and to make victorious Allah’s Religion till it becomes superior over all religions, and mankind is brought out,

(1) from the darkness into the light,

(2) from the worshiping of the slaves (created false gods) to the worshiping of Allah Alone (the only true God),

(3) from the distress of the world to its wideness (ease) and (4) from the injustices of the religions to the justice of Islam. They knew well that Allah has guaranteed them victory and promised them that they will be the Conquerors. So they were sure of Allah’s support, and of His Messenger’s promise and considered the matter easy with a small or great (number) and thought little of the fears and dangers. They remembered the statement of Allah: "If Allah helps you, none can overcome you. . ." (3:160).

And that they are troops of Allah, and that they are fighting in Allah’s cause, and surely Allah will help and support them and will defeat their enemies, as their enemies fight for the cause of Satan.

Here is the example of ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, as he consulted his companions regarding sending troops to Iraq (for the Battle of Nahawand). ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib said to him (‘Umar): "O chief of the believers! This matter cannot be "victory or defeat" because of a great number, or a small number but it is His (Allah’s) Religion which He has made superior and His troops which He has honored and supported (them) with the angels till it reached (far) what it has reached. So we have been promised (victory) by Allah, and Allah fulfills His promise and supports His troops."

And here is the example of Khalid Ibn Walid as he came from Iraq, a man from the Arab Christians said to Khalid: How great is the number of Romans and how small is the number of Muslims?" Khalid said to him: "Woe to you! Do you make me afraid of Romans? . . . But the greatness of the troops are with victory and the smallness of the troops are with defeat, not with the number of men, by Allah I wish if the red ones (i.e. the camels and the horses) are cured from their journey hurts. I will proceed to attack them (Romans) even if their number is doubled (The hooves of his horse had chafed and received hurt during its coming from Iraq to Medina)". . . They used to endanger themselves, used to do wonders and extraordinary deeds being sure of Allah’s help, depending upon His Promise as it happened in the Islamic army under the Commandership of S’ad ibn Abi Waqqas. . .he stood in front of the town "Al-Madian" and could not find any ship or boat (it became completely impossible for him to find anything of that sort) and the water of the river Tigris (Iraq) increased tremendously with over flooding (its water became dark) and it overthrew its foam from excessive water in it. S’ad addressed the people (troops) over its bank (saying): "I have resolved to cross this great river in order to assault them (the enemy). " They (the people) replied: "May Allah direct us and you to follow the right path. So please do it." Then he (S’ad) rushed heedlessly into it (Tigris) and not a single man remained behind from him; so they marched over it as if they were marching over the surface of the earth, till they filled it (the space) between its two banks and one could not see the water surface from the cavalry and the foot-soldiers. The people spoke to one another over the surface of water as they used to speak to one another over the surface of the earth. So when the Persians (army) saw them they said: "Diwan Diwan (i.e. mad people. . .mad people). By Allah! You are not fighting against human-beings, but against Jinns." On that S’ad started saying: "Allah is Sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer (for our affairs); By Allah! Surely Allah will give victory to His friends; verily Allah will make superior His Religion, and verily Allah will give defeat to His enemy as long as there are neither adulterers nor committers of those (similar evil) sins in the army (S’ad’s troops), then the good deeds will overcome (the evil)." Yes! They (the Muslims) used to be afraid:

(1) of their sins

(2) from the disobedience of Allah, more than they used to be afraid of their enemy or their enemy’s great number and mighty weapons, as we find ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab saying: (in his letter to the Commander S’ad ibn Abi Waqqas when he sent him for the conquest of Persia): "Then after, I order you and all the troops that are along with you to be obedient to Allah in all circumstances as this (being obedient to Allah) is better than the weapons against the enemy and a strong strategem (device) in the War. I order you and the soldiers who are with you to be more cautious and afraid of your own crimes and sins (and not to commit them) than your enemy, as the crimes and sins of the soldiers are more dangerous to them than their enemy. The Muslims are victorious only because of the disobedience of their enemy to Allah, and had it not been so, we have no power over them, because neither our number is like their number, nor our weapons are like theirs. I f we commit crimes and sins as they do, then they (our enemies) will have superiority over us in power and we will not gain victory over them. We do not overpower them by our strength. And you should also know that in this marching of yours (For Allah’s cause) there are guards (angels) upon you from Allah (to watch you), and they know all what you do. So be shy from them and do not commit Allah’s disobedience (crimes and sins) while you are going in Allah’s cause and do not say: "Our enemy is worse than us, so they will not overpower the others as the (disbelievers) Magians overpowered the children of Israel when they (the latter) covered themselves with Allah’s disobedience (crimes and sins). So they (disbelievers, "magians") entered the very inmost parts of their homes and it was a promise (completely) fulfilled. And ask "Allah" the assistance over your ownselves." (to save you from crimes and sins) just as you ask Allah for the victory over your enemies. . . I ask Allah for that, both for you and for us."

So the Muslim warriors (Al-Mujahideen) kept on clinging to what this rightly guided Caliph (‘Umar) mentioned (as above): And they (Mujahideen) were as they were described by a Roman to a Roman Chief; (he said): " I have come to you from the men, very precise in their manners; they ride swift race-horses, during the night they worship (Allah alone) in seclusion,during day they are cavaliers, if you speak to your companions something, your friend will not understand anything from you because of the high tone of their voices reciting the Holy Qur’an and the mentioning much of Allah." So he (the Roman Chief) looked at his companions and said: "It has come to you from them that for which you have no power."

And here is the story of ‘Uqbah bin Nafi’: He (‘Uqbah) intended to take a place (town) in Africa, so as to be a place for the Muslim army and to protect their families and properties from revolt against them by the natives of the country. So he took himself to he place of "Al-Qairawan" and it was a muddy place, full of every kind of beasts of prey (lions, tigers, leopards, etc.) and snakes. . .and others, etc. So he (‘Uqbah) invoked Allah, and Allah answered to his invocation, he then said: "O snakes and wild ‘beasts of prey! We are the companions of Allah’s Messenger[ (Muhammad), go away from us as we are landing here, and afterwards if we found any (of you wild beasts and snakes) we will kill you." So the people saw that day, the (wild) animals and snakes carrying their offspring, shifting from that place. .

And a great number of natives (Al-Bar-Bar) saw (all) that and embraced Islam. And when the term (time limit) was prolonged for the Muslims and their hearts were hardened and they forgot their religion and became ignorant of the fact (That for what purpose) Allah has sent and chosen them from among the great number of nations of the earth. . . Allah said: "you (Muslims, followers of Muhammad are the best of the peoples ever raised up for mankind, you enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and you believe in Allah" (3:110).

So (today) they (Muslims) are leading a life of the one who knows not any Prophet, nor believes in any Divine Message or Divine Inspiration, nor expects any reckoning nor is afraid of the Hereafter. They (Muslims) resemble the pre-Islamic ignorant nations, against whom they used to fight in the past. So they h have turned on their heels back as apostates from Islam, they have imitated them in their civilization, in their social affairs, in their political affairs, in their character and in the pleasures of their lives. They (Muslims) also imitated them in many other things because of which Allah hated and forsook them.

He (Allah) put them (Muslims) into trials under the effects of

(1) Western civilization

(2) and the Eastern Communist propaganda. So their land became "a free wealth with no protector, the Kingdom became a victim for every beast of prey and food for every eater, and the meaning of the statement of the Prophet became apparent: "It is expected that the nations will call other nations to share are them against you (Muslims) as the eaters call each other to eat from food in front of them in a large wooden plate.

"A person asked the Prophet "Is that will be because of our small number on that day?" The Prophet said "Nay! Your number will be great, but you will be rubbish like the rubbish of flood water. And certainly Allah will remove from the breasts of your enemies "the fear from you" and surely He will throw :"Wahn" in your hearts. A person asked: "What is ‘Wahn’, O Allah’s Prophet?" The Prophet also said: "If you (1) practiced "Bai'a Al-'Inah " (selling goods to a person for certain price and then buy them back from h him for less price), (2) and followed the tails of the cows ( indulged in agriculture and became contented with i t (3) and deserted the Jihad in Allah’s cause, Allah will cover you with humiliation and it will not be removed till you return back to your religion. (Abu Dawud) And now they have deserted the Jihad and asked help from their enemies and protection from the disbelievers them, turning towards them, expecting good from them. So they have become mean, despised before Allah inspite of their Islamic names and in spite of the presence of righteous pious persons amongst them and inspite of the fact that some of the religious laws, signs and ceremonies are practiced in their countries. One of the orientalists said: "When the Muslims turned away from their religious teachings and became ignorant of its wisdom and its laws and deviated towards the contradictory laws taken from the opinions of men, there spread in them, immorality of character, falsehood, hypocrisy, ill-will and hatefulness became increased in them. So their unity disintegrated and they became ignorant of their present and future state an became unaware of what will harm them or will benefit them. They have become contented with the life which they eat, drink, sleep an compete not with others, in s superiority.

All this is is a visible fact, which very true believer feels, and which every enthusiastic person palpates every community and gives up al-Jihad and dips itself:

(1) in a a luxurious life,

(2) in the worshiping of wealth and in the love of this world. History informs us: What did the most wretched (Al- Maghool and Al-Tatar) do with the Muslims? That which will sorrow the hearts and to be as if on the fire and will make the eyes shed tears...

Ibn Al Athir said: I remind for many years, avoiding the mentioning of this accident because of its great magnitude, disliking toe speak of it, so that I put a food forward and another backward and thought deeply, who is there who can write the wailing and crying of the Muslims, and who is there on who it is easy to mention that... wish that my mother had not begotten me.. would that I had been dead before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight... This job includes the mentioning of ) teachings. It was not long before their descendants deviated from the Right path, tore themselves into pieces after they had been one unite d piece, they doubted the truth, so, for them the path was separated and they became as groups (and sects) having different (views and) opinions opposing each other in their aims. . . So how can they be elevated?. . .How can there be any progress or priority possible for them while they are following the disbelieving nations, they drag along behind them, pursue their ways and footsteps and imitate their actions, small or great.

They judge their people with the contradictory (man-made) laws which conflict and clash with the Islamic laws, which were the origin of their honor and pride and in which was their peace and steadfastness.

Allah said: "Do they seek the judgment of (the Days of) Ignorance. And who is better in judgment than Allah for a people who have firm Faith?" (5:50).

We invoke Allah to make victorious His Religion (Islam) and to make superior His words and to lead all the Muslims to that in which His Pleasure is Ameen.