The True Jihad
Non-Violence and Islam
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fields. This was not a matter of accident but in
obedience to the express injunctions of the shariah.
As we know, in the books of Hadith detailed
traditions have been set down in the chapters titled
Kitab al-Fitan
. The Prophet Muhammad observed in
plain words that in later times perversions would
set in in the rulers, they would become tyrannical
and unjust, but that Muslims should not wield their
swords against them. They should rather move to
the mountains with their goats and camels.
By ‘goats and camels’ are meant the opportunities
in non-political fields which exist, even when the
political institutions are corrupted. This injunction
given by the Prophet meant that the Muslims
should avail of such opportunities by avoiding
clash and confrontation in the political field. In
short, by ignoring the political problem, they
should avail of the non-political opportunities.
These injunctions of the Prophet Muhammad were
so clear that the Muslim
ulama
of later times formed
a consensus to make insurrection against the rulers
unlawful.
