Position of Jihad in Imam Ali’s View
In a series of sessions, Emad Afroogh tries to introduce the thoughts of Imam Ali (AS). In the seventh session, he points to some of the remarks of Imam Ali (AS) about jihad and military readiness.
Khutba (Sermon) 11 of Nahj al-Balagha refers to significance of Jihad and military training. These remarks are important for nations that claim to confront arrogance.
“Mountains may move from their position, but you should not move from yours. Grit your teeth. Lend to Allah your head (in fighting for Allah, give yourself to Allah). Plant your feet firmly on the ground. Have your eye on the remotest foe and close your eyes (to their numerical majority). And keep sure that succour is but from Allah, the Glorified,” reads the sermon.
Furthermore, Khutba 6 points to readiness in the battlefield. “O Muslims! Make fear of Allah the routine of your life. Cover yourselves with peace of mind and clench your teeth because this makes the sword slip off from the skull. Complete your armour and shake your swords in their sheathes before showing them out. Have your eyes on the enemy. Use your spears on both sides and strike (the enemy) with swords.”
Another sermon which related to the issue of Jihad and battlefield is Khutba 121 which reads:
“Where are those who were invited to Islam and they accepted it? They read the Quran and decided according to it. They were exhorted to fight and they leapt (towards it) as she-camels leap towards their young. They took their swords out of the sheaths and went out into the world in groups and rows. Some of them perished and some survived. The good news of survival does not please them nor do they get condoled about the dead. Their eyes have turned white with weeping. Their bellies are emaciated because of fasting. Their lips are dry because of (constant) praying. Their colour is pale because of wakefulness. Their faces bear the dust of God-fearing. These are my comrades who have departed. We should be justified if we feel eager for them and bite our hands in their separation.”
Nahj al-Balagha (the Peak of Eloquence) is a collection of sayings and writings of Imam Ali (AS) which have been compiled by al-Sayyid al-Radi in 11th century CE. The book has been organized into three parts: sermons, letters and short sayings. Throughout the sermons, Imam (a) calls people to obey God's orders and abandon prohibitions and in his letters advises his agents to observe the rights of people.
