Pakistani TV: "Jihad is a great prayer, and is meant to spread the message of Allah and the rule of Islam"

The rule of Islam -- that is, Sharia.

These scholars retail standard jihad doctrine about the necessity and obligation of jihad, defensive and offensive jihad, etc. I have explained these doctrines in several of my books and many, many times here at this site. These Islamic scholars confirm the truth of everything I have said about the jihad doctrine. Are they "greasy Islamophobes"? Are they Misunderstanders of Islam? Note that the Islamic spokesmen in the West who claim that what I say is false will do nothing to show that these Islamic scholars, who have dedicated their lives to studying the Qur'an and Sunnah, have gotten it all wrong, wrong, wrong -- and that exposes the hollowness and hypocrisy of their critique of Jihad Watch and my books.

"Discussion About the Concept of Jihad on Pakistani Television: 'Other Prayers Can be Postponed... But Jihad Cannot be Deferred'; 'Muhammad Said That a Person Who Dies Not Having Waged Jihad... Is Like One Who Died in a State of Hypocrisy'; 'It Has Been Stated Most Explicitly In The Koran... Fight Those Who Interfere With Establishing the Rule Of Allah; 'Today, In Every Part of the World, Muslims are Being Forced to Wage Jihad in Their Own Defense,'" from MEMRI, January 11:

[...] The popular religious program Alim Online (Scholar Online) talk show, on Pakistan's Geo TV, recently devoted an exclusive episode to the subject of jihad in Islam. The talk show featured host Dr. Aamir Liaquat Hussain, former religious affairs minister of Pakistan and Islamic scholar, journalist, politician, and physician, and two prominent Islamic scholars - Qari Mansoor Ahmad, an Islamic cleric and columnist for the Urdu-language jihadist magazine Zarb-e-Momin, and Mohammad Hanif Tayyab, former Pakistani federal minister and Islamic scholar.

As part of their discussion of the issue of jihad, the three scholars took several calls from viewers. One key point in the discussion was made by Qari Mansoor Ahmad, who said that the requirement that only the head of an Islamic state can order jihad is only one aspect of the issue; the other aspect is that Muslims are under attack and therefore are waging jihad as required by Islamic law, and ethically, in self-defense.

Following are some excerpts from the talk show, which aired in August 2010:[1]

"If the Enemy Attacks and Muslims Are Standing Against Them, and There Comes the Time Of Namaz and the Muslims Cannot Find the Time To Say That Prayer - Then Namaz Can Be Postponed; But Jihad Cannot Be Postponed"

Host Aamir Liaquat Hussain: "Aamir Liaquat Hussain is here with the Alim Online Special. There are different types of obligatory prayers in vogue in Islam, commanded by Allah the Almighty, and it is mandatory that we obey His commandments. Each prayer has its distinct feature and position, and each has its own effect. For example, the Namaz [prayer] is a great mode of worship in Islam, which is meant to imbibe the greatness of Allah the Almighty in one's heart and mind; Zakat [Islamic tax] is meant for inculcating into one's head and mind the spirit of chastity, sympathy, sacrifices, and serving humanity. The effect of Roza [fasting] is to gain control of sensual and carnal desires and is meant to instill tolerance and hard labor in the body. Hajj [pilgrimage to Mecca] is meant to imbibe the passion of extreme love and sacrifices for Allah, and the philosophy of reverence and love in one's heart and mind.

"But besides all these prayers, Jihad is a great prayer, and is meant to spread the message of Allah and the rule of Islam, and to end fitna and fasad [mischief and rebellion], to establish peace and harmony throughout the world. Dear viewers, this is a prayer which has been made obligatory [for Muslims] for the sake of safeguarding all other prayers, and it works as a line of defense for all these [prayers]. That is why other prayers can be postponed for the time being, but Jihad cannot be deferred or delayed from its time and place.

"Therefore, if the enemy attacks and Muslims are standing against them, and there comes the time of Namaz and the Muslims cannot find the time to say that prayer, then Namaz can be postponed. But Jihad cannot be postponed. Because if Jihad is postponed at that time, the enemy will take that territory and in that case there would be neither Namaz nor worshipers, and no place to worship. That is why, in the war of Khandaq [Trench War], three prayers - Zuhr, Asr and Maghrib [noon, afternoon and evening prayers] - of the Prophet of both the worlds, Muhammad peace be upon him, were missed..., but Prophet Muhammad did not leave the battlefront.

"Before introducing you to our guests, let us know the meaning of Jihad first. Jihad has been derived from the word Jihd [strenuous efforts], which literally means to try, to make effort, to use strength, and to keep the struggle continuing till the goal is achieved. But according to Shari'a, Jihad means to put all efforts into fighting the enemies of Islam. And the Mujahid is the person who focuses all his efforts for the sake of Islam so that it is victorious.

"On the other hand, Allah the Almighty, in Surah Saf and Surah Tauba [two Koran chapters], said that He sent the Prophet Muhammad with the right religion, and one of the goals behind sending His Prophet was to establish the supremacy of Islam over other religions. However, Allah's work is done by chosen ones and the righteous in all ages and in various regions."

"Muhammad... Said That a Person Who Dies Not Having Waged Jihad, Or Never Having Wished In His Heart to Participate in Jihad, Is Like One Who Died In a State Of Hypocrisy"

"In Sahih Muslim [book of Hadith considered correct by most Muslim sects] Hazrat Jabir bin Samaira RA [May Allah be pleased with him] narrates that the Prophet of Allah, Muhammad peace be upon him, said that deen [true religion of Islam] will always remain established and that a group of Muslims would continue waging Jihad everywhere and always till the Day of Judgment. In Sunan Abu Daud [book of Hadith], Hazrat Imran bin Hussain narrates that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that a group of people from his followers will continue fighting in the right path of Allah, and every other nation will show animosity against it, but it would prevail against them till the people from among them [i.e. Muslims] would fight against the Dajjal [Anti-Christ].

"Dear viewers, that is why there is a severe threat [by Allah] against those who do not crave Jihad in their heart. According to the Sahih Muslim, Hazrat Abu Hurairah RA narrates that Muhammad PBUH [peace be upon him] said that a person who dies not having waged Jihad, or never having wished in his heart to participate in Jihad, is like one who died in a state of hypocrisy. Hazrat Abu Umama RA narrates that Prophet Muhammad PBUH said that such people who did not fight in Jihad and did not contribute in making arrangements for Jihadis, and also did not care for the families of those who are waging Jihad - Allah would give them very harsh difficulty before the Day of Judgment.

"According to Tirmizi and Ibn-e-Maja [both books of Hadith], Hazrat Abu Hurairah RA narrates that Prophet Muhammad PBUH said that when a person meets Allah on the Day of Judgment in a condition that he had no sign of Jihad on him, he is like a person who is with some defect insofar as the religious point of view is considered. On the other hand, those who participate in Jihad are guaranteed exemption from the hellfire.

"In Sahih Bukhari [the most prominent book of Hadith] Hazrat Abu Abas RA narrates that Prophet Muhammad PBUH said that a person whose feet were covered in dirt in the path of Allah would have his feet untouched by the hellfire. Apart from this, Allah the Sustainer has called the drop of blood shed in His path by a momin [faithful Muslim] His most beloved thing. So, according to Tirmizi, Hazrat Abu Umama narrates that Prophet Muhammad PBUHC said that Allah loves two drops and two marks very much - one is the teardrop which comes from fearing Allah, and the second is the drop of blood by a man in His path [i.e. Jihad]. One of these two marks is a cut wound received in the path of Allah, and the second is the one borne in performing any of the obligations ordered by Allah, such as the mark on the forehead created by prostration in Namaz. The only ones who can achieve all these distinction are those who want to please Allah with true intentions..." [...]

"Now we have to understand one basic thing here: that we have people with two different viewpoints regarding Jihad. One of them doesn't accept the importance of Jihad altogether. [I] don't know who they are. They don't have any craving for Jihad in their hearts, but call Jihad terrorism, under the influence of the Western media. They, in the line of Hadith, are following the line of hypocrites. The second category is those who do not place Jihad in its just and right place; they don't maintain its rules, regulations and terms, and they keep creating trouble on earth and shed the blood of innocent people through suicide attacks to achieve their just or unjust goals - even going so far as to record a video before suicide attacks and to release their tapes after the attacks. Such people are not likely to get any benefit as far the sayings of the Prophet go; on the contrary, their work will be a burden for them [on the Day of Judgment]. [...]

Caller: "This is Ehteshamul Haq calling from Karachi. I would like to ask two questions related to today's program. First, who gives the call for Jihad in an Islamic state? Is it the ruler of the time or any group can give the call? And my second question, what is the difference between Jihad and terrorism, please elaborate on this."

Qari Mansoor Ahmad: "First, I would like to thank you for inviting me on this program. And whatever you said about Jihad in your introduction of Jihad in the beginning of the program represents not only our views but also the views of all the Muslims in the world. In fact, Jihad is essentially one of the greatest orders of Allah, and it is extremely necessary for safeguarding Islam and its very existence (Talk show host interjects: 'True.') My brother has asked whether the ruler of an Islamic state has the authority to give the order for Jihad or can any other person do this. "In my opinion, it would be better if the Islamic concept of Jihad is explained, so that it is easier [to make the point clear] later.

"It is accepted throughout the world that the powerful institution, be it a person or a group or an organization or the parliament, has the authority to make law. It is accepted throughout the world. And if anyone goes against it, then the person or group or organization makes him obey his writ. If we expand our viewpoint, then we may ask who is the real ruler of this universe, who possesses it? The rulers of the world don't have the full authority over their country or nation. They are made ruler by the people. And Allah is the real Lord, Ruler and King. He has the power and the authority. When He is the Lord of this Earth and the whole universe, then the authority to make law and its implementation remains in His hands alone."

"One Thing Should Be Clear to All of Us: The Law of Allah Should Be Followed in This World, and the Muslims Are Responsible for Its Implementation... It Has Been Stated Most Explicitly In the Koran... Fight Those Who Interfere With Establishing the Rule Of Allah"

Qari Mansoor Ahmad [continues]: "Allah would like His laws to rule this world. The Koran says: An order is from Allah only. To govern this land in accordance with His law, He sent His last Prophet [Muhammad] and also gave His law, which the Koran calls Islam. And He made His Prophet responsible for the implementation of His laws, and also gave him the responsibility of its supremacy. And this responsibility was transferred through Prophet Muhammad PBUH to his followers.

"In other words, we can say that the establishment and implementation of the law of Allah on this earth is, in fact, the responsibility of Muslims. And, in practical terms, the ruler does not go into the battlefield to ensure that his law is followed. But his responsibility is carried out by the police and the military and administrative institutions in this world today on his behalf. And those who challenge the law of the land are not accepted anywhere in this world, no concession is made with them.

"One thing should be clear to all of us: The law of Allah should be followed in this world, and the Muslims are responsible for its implementation. The next point is whether Allah has told us the ways and means to implement His laws, or has he left it to us [to decide]? In Surah Fatah, Surah Saf and Surah Tauba [Koran chapters], three verses have been revealed with similar wording, which says: 'He is the one who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad, peace be upon him) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islamic monotheism) to make it victorious over all (other) religions.' In other words, Allah has entrusted this responsibility upon His Messenger to make His religion victorious over other religions. On three occasions this has been said [in the Koran], with similar wordings which emphasize its importance.

"Secondly, what would be the means to achieve it? Should it be decided through consultation or through interpretations? No, if Allah has entrusted such a big responsibility, he has also shown us the way to achieve it. And there are two occurrences about it in the Koran, in two different places - one in Surah Baqrah and second in Surah Anfal [Koran chapters]; [Qari Mansoor Ahmad recites Koranic verses] If we want to end the mischief and disobedience in this world, and want peace and harmony established, and want none remaining to challenge the writ of Allah, and want the law of Allah, which is the guarantee of all comfort, peace, and harmony for the whole world, to be victorious - then it is necessary to fight those who create obstacles in the path of, or challenge the writ of Allah.

"The Koran's diction states the important things in the most explicit and easy way, so as to make it clear - although people may take many literal meanings of Jaheduhum - to strive, to make an effort, to try - in other meanings, but it has been stated most explicitly in the Koran. In this regard, it has been said most explicitly and in such a way that no other meaning can be attached to it, except to fight those who interfere with establishing the rule of Allah."

"[Another Form is] Defensive Jihad; It is Common Sense... as An Ethical Norm, That If Someone Attacks You and Occupies Your Land... Anyone is Entitled to Defend Himself"

Talk show host Aamir Liaquat Hussain [interjects]: "You have given a good explanation [of Jihad], but the part of the question asked is, who is authorized to do it..."

Qari Mansoor Ahmad: "I am just coming to that point. When we go out to implement this law [of Allah], there should be an organization, some people, a group, and power behind it. When we attack or advance and try to implement the writ [of Allah] worldwide, there should be some authority, some power behind it. And we advance on the basis of that power and ask and invite people towards that writ and make them accept it. Certainly, an Emir or a ruler, who has the authority to implement, is needed for that. This is one aspect [of Jihad]. This is when Muslims of the world advance for the implementation of the writ of Allah in different parts of the world.

"The second aspect of Jihad is the defensive one; we might call it defensive Jihad. It is common sense and a common phenomenon throughout the world, and is accepted worldwide as universal truth, as an ethical norm, that if someone attacks you and occupies your land and your houses, disgraces you... and is hell-bent on cutting your father's throat, then anyone is entitled to defend himself. In such a case, there is no condition that he must wait for someone to give an order. He would not wait until the next day to ask a Mufti or an Alim [scholar] what Islam says about it, whether it is an individual attacker or a group of attackers (Talk show host interjects: 'It is obvious that he would defend himself.')

"The situation in today's world is commonly of a defensive nature (Talk show host interjects: 'At present, defensive Jihad is being waged.') Today, wherever Muslims are, they are waging defensive Jihad, and there is no condition for it. A nation, a land, a country has been attacked, the honor of people is at risk, their blood is being shed, their houses have been looted, they have none to come to their aid, their country has been turned into debris, there is none to care for them (Talk show host interjects: 'For example, Palestine...') like the situation in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Chechnya, (Talk show host interjects: 'Kashmir.') and in Kashmir. There is no need to wait for any fatwa [decree] or for any other condition, it is even beyond reasoning.

"And it goes the same in Islam too... It comes into the sayings of the Prophet. The Prophet Muhammad PBUH was asked, if someone tries to snatch my belongings, what should I do? Should I defend myself, and in doing so, what if I kill that person? The Prophet said, you have the right, and it would not be a sin. He asked, and if I got killed, the Prophet said then you are a martyr. If a person fights for the sake of his personal belongings, risks his life for that, and does not hesitate even to kill, if the Muslim community is faced with such a situation, then there would be no condition to wait for an order [to wage jihad]." [...]

There is much, much more. Read it all.