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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Taqwa (Piety) Advice of Piety And Jihad =================== Jihad comes from the root ‘Jahd’ meaning endurance and hard work. The word ‘Ijtihad’ too is from the same root meaning what is hard to obtain. Therefore, ‘Jihad’ means to do what is in your capability to fend off the enemy.

Although the word ‘Jihad’ means campaign against the outward enemy, it is used in relation to other enemies like Satan and passions, for human beings are continuously faced with three enemies; the outward enemy, Satan, and the inducive soul (towards sin). Therefore, man is always in fight. He either defeats or is defeated.

In both cases, he has to do his best to observe piety (Taqwa) whether he fights an outward enemy, defends his life and property, or fights against his passions for the sake of God. He should know that, as Imam Ali (AS) has said, “Jihad is one of the doors of Paradise, which Allah has opened for His choice friends. …It is the dress of piety and the protective armor of Allah and His trustworthy shield.

Whoever abandons it, Allah covers him with the dress of disgrace.”[^1] Jihad has been mentioned in the holy Quran more than fifty times. Jihad against enemies, which is an obligatory duty, has its own rules in a way that religious authorities have devoted a special chapter on it in their books of jurisprudence.

Jihad has special rules; for example, the permission of one’s parents, its necessity on men and not on women, the ruling of the use of chemicals in water and air, night attacks, the rule of prisoners of war, tricks, fighting in the inviolable months, the rule of booties, and etc. God Almighty has repeatedly used the word ‘Taqwa’ in relation to Jihad.

In one place, God says: “Eat then of the lawful and good (things) which you have acquired in war, and be careful of (your duty to) Allah…” [^2] Of course, the rules of booties have been discussed in the books of jurisprudence answering the questions as to who can benefit from them, whether the permission of the Imam or the deputy of the Imam is needed or a fighter can benefit from it.

Elsewhere, on the invisible and divine assistance, God says: “And Allah did certainly assist you at Badr when you were weak; be careful of (your duty to) Allah then, that you may give thanks.