Surah Hajj – 22:-78 – Exerting our utmost for the sake of Allah

And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline). He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of your father Ibrahim. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation); that the Messenger may be a witness for you, and ye be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer, give regular Charity, and hold fast to Allah! He is your Protector, the best to protect and the Best to help! [22:78]

Place and Context of Revelation:

• Revealed during the Madinan period; most probably in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah in 1 A.H.
• The migrants had just arrived in Madina. It’s Hajj time but they weren’t able to perform it.
• Muslims were granted the right to fight against oppressors.

Lessons:

Essence of Jihad

• To strive; to exert to the utmost.
• Should be for the sake of Allah.
• To remove the forces obstructing man from following the Way of God so that one may be able to serve God without persecution.

Targets of Jihad

• Self
• Other forces

Excelling in our struggle

• No room for half-hearted, poorly-planned struggle
• Struggle must be in an acceptable manner within the limits set.

The chosen ones!

• Praise for the Companions and those who take up the task
• Failure to fulfill this task is rejection of Allah’s favour

It’s not a burden

• Freedom from slavery to others.
• Simple, straightforward set of beliefs and practicable laws.

One Message, One Mission

• All the Prophets had one message, the message of monotheism, after-life, prophethood and scriptures.
• All of the followers of the prophets were named Muslims.
• Our mission is to be example for the rest of the world as the prophets were for their followers.
• We can be witnesses through our actions, words and by showing a living example of Islamic ideals (ie. Islamic State).

Tools for the task

• Prayer and Charity.
• Holding on to Allah’s guidance in the Quran and in the Sunnah of the Prophet.
• Trust that Allah will be there to help and protect us during this struggle.