By Babatunde Zainab.
Jihad is a meritorious struggle or effort. It primarily refers to the human struggle to promote what is
right and to prevent what is wrong.
During the period, when the Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) received revelations of the Qur’an at Mecca, the emphasis was on the internal dimension of jihad, termed Sabr(patience), which refers to the practice of “PATIENT FORBEARANCE” by Muslims in the face of life’s vicissitude and toward
those who wish them harm.
The different ways of promoting what is good and preventing what is wrong are included
under the broad rubric of al-jihād fīs abīl Allāh,“striving in the path of God.” Awell-known Hadith of
the prophet, therefore refers to three(3) primary ways in which jihad can be carried out:
“Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his Hand; and if he is not able to do so,
then let him change it with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart-as that is the weakest of faith.”(Hadith34 An Nawawi’s collection)
The Hand(physical action short of armed combat): we are encouraged to change or prevent a bad character or wrong doing with our hand, in as much we have the ability to do so. Example of the this, is the saying of Prophet(PBUH) on children’s Solah, where he said encourage your wards to offer
Solah at the age of seven(7) and when they become age ten(10) beat them when they refuse to pray.
The Tongue: The prophet(PBUH) encourages usto correct or prevent a wrong action with our tongue if we are capable of using it, as correcting a wrong action with tongue is more powerful to
using the heart to forbid wrong actions.
By The Heart: The last portion of the hadith clearly states that the least a Muslim can do in
the case of witnessing an evil act is to change it by his/her heart. This means that he/she should dislike the evil he/she comes across. This is an action of the heart, such as saying: “O Allah, there is nothing that I can do to change this bad situation that You dislike and disapprove except that I hate it to take place. I do not agree to it. O Allah forgive me, guide me and save my heart to be influenced by it. This is the last resort for someone without any capacity to change what is bad or prevent what is wrong.
Using the heart will only be known to the person and Allah (s.w.t) as it is the weakest of faith.
Qualities possessed by a Caller who enjoins the good and forbids the evil
Ikhlas(Sincerity): Since enjoining the good and forbidding the evil becomes an action pleasing to Allah and accepted by Him only if it is done with sincerity for Him.
‘Ilm (Knowledge): This is an important condition since the Caller must know what matters are good,
so he enjoins it, and what matters are evil,so he forbids it. In Ibn Taymiyyah’s al-Amaritis stated that it is necessary to possess the knowledge of good and evil and of the difference between them, and it is necessary to know the situation of the person being commanded or forbidden.
Allah commands in the glorious Quran: Say:
“This is my path, I do call to Allah upon clear knowledge.”[Surah Yusuf(12): Ayah 108].
Hikmah(Wisdom): Which means saying or doing the right thing in the right way at the right time to the right person, as prescribed by Allah in His statement:

“Call to them way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful admonition”.[Surahan-Nahl(16):Ayah125]
IbnTaymiyyah wrote: Enjoin the good in a goodway and do not forbid the evil in an evil way.
Hilm(Forbearance) and Rifq(Gentleness): The Prophet(pbuh) also said:“Indeed gentleness does not enter into anything except it beautifies it, nor is it removed from anything except that it makes it ugly
[Reported by Imam Muslim]”. Especially in the face of opposition from the people.As Allah said to His Messenger(pbuh),”And by the Mercy of Allah you were able to deal gently with them.If you had
been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from you.”[Surahal-Imran(3): Ayah
159]
Sabr(Patience): Since the people whom the Caller opposes in enjoining good and forbidding evil, may
be stubborn to his call and may even try to harm him. Ibn Taymiyyah says in al-Istiqaamah,
concerning the call to the good and away from the evil:” Knowledge must precede it, gentleness must accompany it and patience must follow it”.
Tawaadu'(Humility): Since the people will not heed if the Caller is arrogant or he seeks to put himself above others.
Qudwah(Good example):For the Caller himself becomes a model to the people to whom he calls, doing those things which he enjoins and leaving those things which he forbids. Allah says:
“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do.It is a most hateful thing to Allah that you say that which you do not do.”[Surah as-Saff(61):Ayah2-3]
Husnul-Istimaa'(Goodlistening): Which is that the Caller is attentive to the needs and feelings and
also the complaints of the people whom he calls.
Shajaa’ah(Courage): Which does not refer to strength of the body; rather it is the strength of the heart,
together with knowledge-this differentiates between true courage and mere recklessness.
Karam (Generosity
May Allah(s.w.t) accepts all act of jihad done by individuals, groups and community as an act of Ibaadah.
Subuhanakah Allahumo wabi Hamdika Ashadu an LaaiLlahaillah waa shadu ana muhammadan abduhu wa rosul.