Question: What
is the basis of launching Jihad against other countries? Are we
required to fight them merely because they are non-Muslims or is there
another reason for it?
Answer: As
explained in a previous query1,
fighting non-Muslims into subjugation was the prerogative of the Prophet
Muhammad (sws) and his Companions (rta) only. It was actually a form of
divine punishment meted out to people who had deliberately denied the truth.
After their departure, according to the Qur’an, the only legitimate
reason for an Islamic state to undertake Jihad is to curb oppression
and persecution in some other state whether Muslim or Non-Muslim. The Qur’an
says:
And why is it that you not fight in the cause of God and for the cause of those who, being weak, are ill-treated and oppressed – men, women, and children, whose cry is: ‘Our Lord! rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from unto You one who will protect and raise for us from unto You one who will help!’ (4:75)
In other words, to fight for the defence
of the weak and the oppressed is something which the Qur’an upholds
as the only valid reason for an Islamic state to wage war. Whether a particular
people are oppressed and subjected to persecution and injustice is something
which the elected representatives of the Muslims must themselves decide
keeping in view the data they have.
Also, countries that have signed the
UN charter are bound in a no war pact with all the member nations. So if
ever a situation comes when they have to wage Jihad, they must first
openly annul this pact, and of course be ready to face its consequences
as well.