A Critical Exposition of the Popular 'Jihád'/Chapter 12/102

[Sidenote: 102. Ainee quoted and refuted.]

Another commentator of the Hedaya, Ainee (who died in 855) follows Kifaya already quoted, and mentions some other verses of the Koran on the war of aggression, which the author of Kifaya has left uncited in his work. They are as follows:&mdash;

"... Then do battle with the ringleaders of infidelity,&mdash;for no oaths are binding on them&mdash;that they may desist."&mdash;(Sura IX, 12.)

"War is prescribed to you, but from this ye are averse."&mdash;(Sura II, 212.)

"March ye forth, the light and heavy, and contend with your substance and your persons on the Way of God."&mdash;(Sura IX, 41.)

The first verse when it is complete runs thus:&mdash;"But if, after alliance made, they break their oaths and revile your religion, then do battle with the ringleaders of infidelity,&mdash;for no oaths are binding on them&mdash;that they may desist;" and fully shows by its wording that it relates to the war of defence, as the breaking of alliances, and reviling of the Moslem religion were the grounds of making war with the object in view that the aggressors may desist. This verse is one of those in the beginning of the ninth Sura, which have already been discussed.&mdash;(Vide pages 51-55.)

The second verse (II, 212) does not allow a war of aggression, as the next verse (II, 214) expressly mentions the attacks made by the aggressors on the Moslems. It has been quoted at full length in page 18.

The third verse (IX, 41) was published on the occasion of the expedition of Tábuk, which was certainly a defensive measure, and has been discussed in pages 51 to 55.