The Hadith on Consistency

against the British in 1857. However, this jihad failed to achieve its objective. Following this experience, they changed their approach. Although armed jihad is, in principle, an Islamic act, when it comes to collective matters, it is not enough to determine whether an action is permissible in Islamic terms. It is equally important to assess whether it is practically effective and result-oriented. If an approach proves ineffective after experience, both reason and Shariah demand that the method be changed. For example, the Prophet Muhammad was compelled to engage in armed confrontation with the chiefs of the Quraysh at the Battle of Badr (2 AH). However, later, he made a peace treaty with those same chiefs at Hudaybiyyah (6 AH). Similarly, during the Battle of Uhud (3 AH), the Prophet left Madinah and went three miles outside the city to confront the attackers. However, during the Battle of Ahzab (5 AH), he adopted a defensive strategy and stayed within Madinah to deal with the attackers. This shows that changing one’s strategy based on circumstances is both wise and in accordance with Islamic principles. This shows that just as initiating action for a righteous purpose is a prophetic practice (Sunnah), so too is changing defensive strategies a prophetic practice. Both are equally Islamic and in line with the Sunnah of the Prophet. Indian scholars followed this established Sunnah by changing their approach after finding armed jihad to be ineffective. They shifted their focus to education, making it their new field of