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The Shia and Armed Uprising - Al-Shia The Scientific and Cultural Website of Shia belief The Shia and Armed Uprising 2021-06-21 417 Views Shia , Armed Uprising QUESTION: Is armed uprising one of the conditions of the Imamate of the Imams? Is armed uprising unconditionally and in all situations part of the agenda of the Shia?

In other words, must the Shia always be in a state of armed conflict with oppressive systems of government, or are the same conditions relevant here as are mentioned about enjoining good and forbidding evil? Also, what was the role of the Shia in the armed uprisings against the government of the Umayyad Caliphs?

Contents QUESTION: ANSWER: ANSWER: The Shia have no agenda regarding jihad against the infidels except the agenda of Islam, which has been explained in-depth in books of jurisprudence, and which many jurisprudents consider obligatory only in case of the presence and call of the Imam. However, defending the heart of Islam and the honour of the Muslims and repelling the enemies’ attacks from the Islamic borders – whether physical, cultural, or economic – is a general obligation.

In fact, according to the verse of the Qur’an preparation to defend and guard the physical and cultural borders is a Divine obligation.

وَأَعِدُّوا لهَمِ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِنْ قُوَّةٍ وَمِنْ رِبَاطِ الخَيلِ تُرْهِبُونَ بِهِ عَدُوَّ اللهِ وَعَدُوَّكُمْ “And prepare what strength you are able and trained horses with which you frighten the enemy of Allah and your enemy.” (1) In the physical battlefield, this is by acquiring military weaponry and on the cultural or economic battlefield by acquiring the provisions peculiar to that arena. In this aspect, the time of the Imam’s presence is no different from the time of his absence.

Just as a Muslim’s house, dependents, property, and self must be safe from danger and attack by outsiders, وَمَنْ قُتِلَ دُونَ مَالِهِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ “One who is killed defending his possessions is a martyr” (2) The Islamic homeland as well – which is the home of all – must be free from danger. This is the gist of the method of dealing with external enemies.

As for dealing with internal anti-Islamic events and factors that hypocritically inflict damage on Islam and Muslims on account of seeking power, the positions taken to repel these dangers must be such as are able to remove that anti-Islamic movement.

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