Contemporary Self-Styled Jihadi Movements

Contemporary Self-Styled Jihadi Movements qital or war. Here, I wish to clarify just one point. Moreover, it is that jihad in the sense of war does not have the same status as individual actions such as prayer and fasting. Instead, it is an action that has wholly to do with the state. In the sense of war, this status of jihad is very clearly explained in the Quran and Hadith. For instance, the Quran (4:83) ordains that if an atmosphere of fear is created because of an enemy, people should not launch action against it on their own. Instead, they should turn to those in authority—that is, people in charge of the government, so that the latter can adequately understand the situation and take appropriate and necessary steps. The Quran tells us that in the event of fear (a situation of war), it is not permissible for members of the general public to act independently. They can only leave the matter with the rulers and assist the latter in their actions. According to a Hadith report in the Sahih alBukhari, Hadith No. 2957, the Prophet has declared that the leader is a shield; war is undertaken under his leadership, and protection is procured through him. We learn that military defence must always be