The True Jihad
The True Jihad
~ 14 ~
Whenever the
prophet had to
choose between
two courses, he
would always opt
for the easier
course.
other option but to give a military response in self-
defence.
A tradition narrated by Aisha, the Prophet’s wife,
provides a guiding principle. She said: Whenever
the Prophet had to choose between two courses, he
would always opt for the easier one. This means
that whenever the Prophet had two options before
him in any matter, he would always abandon the
harder option in favour of the easier one (
Bukhari
).
This tradition (
sunnah
) of the
Prophet Muhammad, may
peace be upon him, is
relevant not only to everyday
affairs but also to such serious
matters as, by their very
nature, relate to harder
options.
The study of the Prophet’s life
shows that he never initiated a military move
himself. When his opponents wanted to embroil
him in war, he would on all occasions apply some
strategy of avoidance to avert war. He fought only
when there was no other way left to him. According
