The Concept of Jihad in Islam

changed conditions of today, only peaceful methods must be used. An instructive example from recent times in this regard is the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Because of the changes our times have witnessed that are referred to here, Mahatma Gandhi could engage in a full-fledged peaceful political struggle and succeed. Moreover, all of this happened by adhering, from start to end, to non-violent methods and peaceful activism. According to a well-known principle of fiqh or jurisprudence, rules can or should be modified to suit the change of time and place. This accepted principle of fiqh demands that when times have changed, one must, if need be, seek the re-application of Shariah commandments per the prevailing conditions. This fiqh principle applies as much to the issues of war as it does to many other matters. It, too, demands that violent methods should now be abandoned and peaceful methods alone are considered legitimate according to the Shariah.