Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem

The mere desire to do good or the declaration of one’s intention to do good (for the benefit of others) is in itself not enough. It is essential that one's methodology is correct.
After promoting various convoluted arguments to create the notion that political activity/ political lobbying/ attending certain political rallies to support oppressed Muslims is synonymous with jihad and that jihad is fard ayn now the issue that funding jihad is fard is being highlighted. Implying that giving zakah to those engaged in these sort of political activities/ political lobbying etc. is an obligatory religious duty. Do people not realise where this kind of crooked thinking is likely to take the Muslim Ummah.

No one doubts anybody’s sincerity and zeal to do good (for the benefit of others).
However, one has to understand the principles of Islamic law and do one’s utmost not to undermine clearly established principles.
Jihad, is surely one of the most used and misused terms in this day and age with reference to Islam.
The important thing is that jihad can be used in a metaphorical sense (e.g. seeking knowledge, a woman’s Hajj which are based on authentic hadith) and in the actual sense.
In Islamic law fundamentals there is an important principle of haqeekat (real) and mujaz (metaphorical). Sharaiah laws arising thereof apply to haqeekat and not mujaz. Unforunately some people are applying Shariah laws which are meant for haqeekat (real) acts to mujaz (metaphorical) acts.

One could say that political activity/ political lobbying/ attending certain political rallies to support oppressed Muslims is a “form of jihad” but to apply the rules of Shariah which are applicable to actual jihad is a step in the wrong direction. One person takes a step in the wrong direction then others following extend the step a little further and so on until you end up on the wrong path altogether.
To illustrate the point of haqeekat (real) and mujaz (metaphorical) consider the example that hajj is the jihad of a woman (based on authentic hadith). Obviously jihad here is meant in a metaphorical sense so it would be wrong to apply Sharia law applicable to actual jihad to a woman performing Hajj. Another example would be dealing in riba is akin to having sexual intercourse with one’s own mother. Again this is in a metaphorical sense, it does not imply that we apply the punishment for adultery according to Shariah to those involved in riba transactions.

We are living in an era where the iman of Muslims is generally weak, our knowledge of our religion is poor hence it is important for those of us in responsible positions to promote the true and unadulterated form of Islam which is free from any misconceptions.
I request the think tank of MPACUK to consider the far reaching implications of what they are promoting. Indeed we are living in difficult and testing times but it is crucial that we do not undermine the pillars of Islam while claiming to be doing good for other Muslims.

"Whoever guides (another) to a good deed will get a reward similar to the one who performs it." (Sahih Muslim). Conversely, he who guides another to a bad deed will also get a share thereof.

There is no situation which is so bad that it cannot be made worse

Time to think.

A.H.

Actually there is no need to call it even a 'leap of faith' to fund MPACUK. Any organisation makes mistakes at some point or other. But what of the upsides? They have already shown themselves competent in raising the voices of Muslims in the Media when the majority were too scared to talk out. This is funding a rational cause, not taking a leap of faith.

AH you are well known for disagreeing with MPACUK's pro Political stance.

If you feel Jihad in the Shariah sense is only on the battlefield you lack true knowledge of jihad.

"Fight them like they fight you" is a Quranic injunction for jihad

"The man who makes the arrow, the man who transports the arrow and the man who fires the arrow will all get the reward for fighting in Jihad " is another Hadith.

Yes you are not shaheed if dying in your bed, if you joining a political party, but you would be shaheed if your political message led you to be killed despite never fighting on the battlefield eg "Malcolm X"

So please do not allow your lack of knowledge on Jihad to put people off funding the Jihad.

The enemies of Allah are building their politcal base so they can attack Iran, people like you allow our enemis to grow while complaining we should not grow ourselves and stop them 0 fighting them like they fight us!

MPAC do not be put off by these HT supporters! Carry on the political Jihad, you have my financial support.

not often a supporter of mpac, i must credit them for this article. when all muslim groups are running away from the word "jihad" mpac seems to be raising it back up!

The article is right, supporting jihad is FARD and most muslims sadly do not know it comes before any other sort of charity and this is an islamic principle.

You cannot make your own DIY islam up. I used to work with fighters around the world and support their families after i became an aid worker.

I can tell you there is nothing worse then seeing the jihad suffer becuase muslims feel funding it is not obligatory.

since we cannot send money to the fighters from the uk (due to a political decision making it illegal), the least you can do is support them politically and legally right here in the uk.

I support and commend your efforts MPAC.

As for those who do not consider this Jihad i ask mpac to ignore them. Unlike most of these hot heads, i have fought alongside them and buried them when they have becomes Shaheed, and we know the war began in the corridors of western nations - politically.

Political Jihad is the need of the day.

Indeed, Jihad is the first obligation after Iman!

To A.H.: What's your alternative? What are you suggesting?

More sitting on the computer at home finding Hadith online to make yourself feel better about not participating. Are we going to have fatwa saying that this is not Jihad-e-Akbar and we should instil all Islamic values in ourselves first. Look where that has got us? Have we not been doing that same thing for the past 30 years, building our drive ways, making Masjid left right centre, on the corner of each and every road and building our Kortya (Houses - Mansions these days) in a village which we visit once every five years!
I'm not MPAC's biggest fan, but I do think they have pinpointed a much needed agenda or 'dimension' that we Muslims lack.

Get with it, use it don't abuse it!

I think it all boils down to doing good and forbidding what is wrong. So in this case, if what you are doing is preventing something bad from happening (through political action) then surely that is better than allowing something bad to happen and then giving charity to the victims of it. I can't see what the big argument is. It's clear. Unfortunately, Muslims are stuck in the minsdet of the past, when we didn't have things like the global media, and the hype and propaganda that it produces. Today's wars are all about lobbying and fighting this propaganda, in the form of lobbying politicians and the media, and also disseminating information through our own media. That sort of thing wasn't possible in the past because the structures were not there. And now the only way to do any good is to get involved in these structures. This has nothing to do with whether it's right or wrong Islamically and anyone who tries to make an argument out of it is leading people astray, as far as I'm concerned. I don't care what label people give it - Jihad, Zakaat or whatever. It stands to reason that our efforts up to now have been misplaced because you only have to see what is happening with the Ummah to see it. We have to get out of this mindset of thinking we're fixing problems only by feeding or clothing people after disaster strikes.

This crucial issue here is not about funding political participation, political activities, political lobbying etc. but about the use of zakah funds for such purposes. What is being purported is that it is a religious obligation upon us to give zakah for “political jihad”! This is the issue which warrants attention.
It is incumbent on the one giving zakah to make sure his/her zakah is going to be used for the eight categories as ordained by the Almighty .

Quote from: “Is Funding Jihad More Important Than Charity In Islam?” http://www.mpacuk.org/content/view/4/1264/103/
1. Jihad - funding jihad (fard)
2. Zakat - a percentage of your earnings go to the poor but even here zakat can be given to Jihad and if you have not given to the Jihad in other ways this becomes the priority (fard) zakat can be given to Jihad and if you have not given to the Jihad in other ways this becomes the priority (fard).

Wassalaam, AH (AH1999 on the forum)

Well its obvious what the article is about AH, you seem to say that the article is incorrect. At the bottom of the article it says write in, lets here your "dont pay your zakat to the political jihad" side.

Bring forth your evidence as they say, mpac i hope would publish it.

I for one firmly believe that mpac is taking part in jihad, and after having spoken to a few learned people, will be donating my zakat to them.

ps i am a volunteer at a well known chatrity, and still feel that zakat to jihad takes priority.

Thank you for your comments.
If your first assumption is wrong then any conclusions you derive from that assumption are also likely to be wrong as well.

The question is which of these activities are eligible zakah:
1. Expenses incurred in attending a rally in London for the benefit of Muslims
2. Expenses incurred in promoting and lobbying for a Muslim MP/ councillor etc.
3. Expenses incurred in lobbying non-Muslim MP’s who may have a pro-Muslim stance
4. Expenses incurred in writing to media for the benefit of Muslims
5. Expenses incurred in attending media (newspaper/radio/TV) interviews to put forward the Muslims viewpoint
6. Exposing/ writing about non-Muslims who are anti-Islam
7. Monitoring the media for the benefit of Muslims
8. Exposing/ writing against Muslims who we consider to be not acting in the interest of Muslims
9. Producing and managing a website for the benefit of Muslims
Etc., the list is endless.

There are so many of these so-called “Jihads”, Political Jihad, Media Jihad, Non-violent Jihad, E-Jihad, Intelligent Jihad, Gender Jihad etc. etc. one wonders which “Jihad” is eligible for zakah and which is not.
A group of Muslims will always be engaged in actual Jihad and this will continue until the Day of Qiyamah (based on authentic hadith). The four Sunni schools of jurisprudence are agreed on which Jihad is eligible for zakah.

Just because someone labels their activities as “Jihad” does not imply they are doing Jihad which is eligible for zakah.
Besides political participation, political activities, political lobbying there are a thousand and one other activities which are also a form of Jihad.

I do not have anything personal against MPACUK. They have done a lot of good things. My comments should not be seen as an attack on MPACUK. However, when a wrong is about to be committed it become necessary to speak out for the benefit of others.Those who agree with MPACUK’s activities should support them financially and physically. Fund them abundantly.
However, zakah is exclusively for those who have been declared eligible for zakah by Allah SWT Himself. It is obligatory for Muslims to give their zakah ONLY to the eight categories ordained by the Almighty as detailed in surah Tauba 9:60.

There is no point in dragging this discussion on and on. I encourage other people to study Islamic law relating to zakah for themselves and consult scholars who are well-versed in this aspect of Islamic law before deriving at any concrete conclusion.
For me the case rests.

With respect, your bother in Islam, AH (AH1999 on the forum)

I have just read Ah comments, but he offers not a shed of evidence to say that Jihad against an enemy, is only eligable if it is strictly on the battlefield.

This is nonsense and again shows an inability to undestand even battlefield jihad.

Would for example "intelligence work" be considered jihad. Its not "kital", its not fighting directly either is it?

without it however the whole war effort is jepordised.

Zakat is there to fund jihad against oppression, and to do that and beat the oppressor funding needs to go to all parts of the machinery of war. Not just to the soldiers on the front line, who ultimately pay the price because of people AH's lack of funding the background war.

salaams, i'm really impressed the clarity and passion of the comments on here not to mention the article, apart from the comments of AH, he seems to actively not want people to contribute to MPACUK, i wonder why? i would advise people to read the fatawa of actual scholars like Sheikh Ahmed Kutty who has said giving zakat to political lobbies like CAIR in the US is certainly acceptable and encouraged i would ask people to search [LINK REMOVED] for more details. MPACUK maybe you should put up that fatwa or ask noted scholars here to provide you with one.

In fact, I'd go further and say that any talk which says that funding Jihad is unnecessary is a sin. The reason being, that if you give money to events after disaster strikes, then you deliberately detract from the fact that you do not give money to prevent these things from happening in the first place. People who are encouraged to give money towards Palestinian orphans and such-like then do not go on to consider why there are Palestinian orphans in the first place, and what can be done to ensure that there are no orphans in the first place. Therefore in effect, you are supporting the enemies of Islam in keeping the status quo. Therefore funding Jihad ought to be obligatory in times of war, which we are witnessing against Islam. The argument is so clear that I do not see what the fuss is all about.

Sword of Allah,
where is the reference to the "Quranic injunction for jihad" you quoted?

thanhs