THE TRUE JIHAD

~ 14 ~ Whenever the prophet had to choose between two courses, he would always opt for the easier course. other option but to give a military response in selfdefence. A tradition narrated by Aisha, the Prophet’s wife, provides a guiding principle. She said: Whenever the Prophet had to choose between two courses, he would always opt for the easier one. This means that whenever the Prophet had two options before him in any matter, he would always abandon the harder option in favour of the easier one (Bukhari). This tradition (sunnah) of the Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him, is relevant not only to everyday affairs but also to such serious matters as, by their very nature, relate to harder options. The study of the Prophet’s life shows that he never initiated a military move himself. When his opponents wanted to embroil him in war, he would on all occasions apply some strategy of avoidance to avert war. He fought only when there was no other way left to him. According