When people talk about Jihad on the path of Allah, it sounds so beautiful. What a beautiful word - "Jihad on the path of Allah". But, in reality, not all outcomes and events of jihad are that beautiful.  

While in jihad, there are not always high-sounding speeches and fiery sermons, not always trophies and booties, and not always victories. But there is the death of loved ones, suffering of wounded friends, torn up body parts, loss of property, lack of aid and support.  

In addition to that, jihad has many other difficult aspects: the blend of different personalities of men, with disputes erupting among them ... this man was punched by that man, another one had an argument with somebody over there ... It is a human nature (Muslims are not angels): errors, opinions, views, some of which are permissible (in Islam), and some are not. There is an obvious and huge diversity between the beauty of the Noble Objective (reestablishing of the Caliphate) and the price (souls and wealth spent in Allah's cause) to implement it.  

If we study people's assumptions on an Islamic state, we find that they represent rather a dream world, a world full of beautiful pictures, on the verge of flying carpets, intoxicated by brilliant colours, with constantly pouring rain out of the skies, full udders, and our enemies fearing us, knowing about us being supported by Angels during warfare.  

They imagine an Islamic state, in which neither poor nor sick, and if someone wishes something, it appears right in front of him. But if we study the Islamic state of the Medina period, we would not find that paradise; instead we will learn that the followers of Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him, his family, and the companions, and grant them Peace, suffered not less than they had in Mecca.  

There were some tough times of fear among the companions, may Allah be pleased with them, like what happened at the Battle of the Trench:  

"When they came upon you from above you and from below you, and when the eyes turned dull, and the hearts rose up to the throats, and you began to think diverse thoughts of Allah".

(The Holy Quran, Surah 33. "The Clans", verse 10)  

There was terror in their eyes because of the violent danger imposed by the enemies of Islam. It was an earth shattering test from the Almighty.  

Compare the latter with an image advertised by the so-called ‘Islamic' scholars today. They promise you a wonderful state; neither fear, nor struggle, each a separate house, plenty of food, and crowds of non-Muslims accepting Islam, seeing us and our state.  

No doubt, there would be those who would become Muslim with the mindset based on belief that Muslims are the right jama'ah to be with, i.e. the party that guarantees them worldly goods, whereas other parties fail to do so.  

But what if I mention here that the three of the four Righteous Caliphs, may Allah be pleased with them, 'Umar bin Al Khattab, 'Uthman bin 'Affan and 'Ali bin Abi Talib died, being martyred? And all that happened during the time of the righteous Caliphate (the Most Gracious bestows His Mercy upon whom He wills). Those who do not recognize the truth (complete submission) of Islam are living in an imaginary, illusory world, and as soon as the tests come to be faced, they will be seeking refuge in wrong places, then give up and admit their inability to endure the hardships of this life and nothing but punishment would be their reward in the Hereafter (in this life, the steadfast Muslim will seek assistance and refuge in Allah, glory be to Him, and in the Hereafter, by the mercy of Allah will enter Paradise, the Final Abode of the steadfast believers).  

Truly, the life only bounded by books, thoughts, pen and paper is not Islam. Islam is human life with its success and failure. Correct actions strengthen and support the stance, while mistakes help to learn something new, recognize the wrong and avoid repeating the latter.  

Errors in Islam are inevitable and were expected, therefore the Divine Rules on punishment and reward were revealed to the Muslims, to whom the Islamic Monotheism and striving in the path of Allah were made obligatory. And, if we take a brief look at the early history of Islam, we can find many examples of such errors, here are few of them:

• Before the Battle of Nahrawan took place, the army of Kharijites (the deviant group) refused the amnesty and surrender (except a small number of troops) to the army of 'Ali Bin Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him. The battle ended up with the defeat of the Kharijites. From among the four thousand Kharijites about only four hundred wounded were left alive.

• The Battle of Jamal was a battle among Muslims in which Talhah and Zubayr, may Allah be pleased with them both, were martyred, the glad tidings of Paradise to them.

• The Battle of Siffin between the armies of 'Ali bin Abi Talib and Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, may Allah be pleased with them, was another example of errors.

Warfare is one of the aspects of human existence and should not be forgotten or neglected. The life of a Muslim is not only getting up at night for prayers, fasting during the daytime, constant supplications for forgiveness, exchange of gifts and other beneficial deeds.  

We address the group of people who prefer doing minor good deeds ignoring the greater ones, due to the fear of committing errors. They blindfold their eyes and do not see the grace of Allah.  

Jihad on the path of Allah is a human activity to obtain the power and domination. Jihad intertwines mindset and actions of men.  

Who was called to the sword should not turn round and 'fight' lecturing others, but prepare his heart to experience the heat of the sword. That is an order of the Creator given to the Muslims.  

Yes, you can either publish a monthly magazine, or create an opposition party, the party that would call for improvements, patiently awaiting the liberation of the imprisoned Muslims, and wishing a new ruler to come very soon, who might be more humane than the present slowly dying tyrant, then your job is done. You are the man firm on his word and politics. In your kept up-to-date file by the relevant authorities will be stated that you are a reputable (model) opponent.  

But if you say: "stand up and fight", "strive in the path of Allah" - then you should expect certain consequences. You should be prepared to face what was experienced by your predecessors, like Abdullah 'Azzam, Khattab and many others.  

A child may go grey, many would not endure the reality of the fight in Allah's Cause, glory be to Him, except the true believers, and before you turn to the genuine path to Paradise, think of your intentions well, (be steadfast in your iman in the Most Merciful, and fear Him) so you would not say something like: 'I was dragged'.  

If you feel being unable to stand up and fight, then be acknowledged that (there are some) people feel safe nested like sparrows with their fledglings eating, drinking and watching life go by through the windows of their dwellings, whilst there is a fierce battle between Muslims and infidels raging on. But once the fight has ended, some of them would come up with their 'important' lectures to tell us: 'You were told so', 'Did not we warn you?', 'We expect ... ', 'We ... we ...', and so on, and on. May Allah shorten their long tongues. He, glory be to Him, says:  

"Being niggardly with respect to you; but when fear comes, you will see them looking to you, their eyes rolling like one swooning because of death; but when the fear is gone they smite you with sharp tongues, being niggardly of the good things. These have not believed, therefore Allah has made their doing naught; and this is easy to Allah".

(The Holy Quran, Surah 33. "The Clans", verse 19)

From the lectures of Sheikh Abu Jandal Al Azdi

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