Law of Itmam al-Hujjah (Conclusive Contention) and the Law of Jihad (Armed Struggle): An Analytical Study
This article presents the analytical and critical study of Jawayd Ahmad Ghamidi's argument of Law of Conclusive Contention (itmam al-Hujjah) and the Law of Armed Struggle (jihad). According to Mr. Ghamidi, the form of offensive armed struggle (Jihad al-Qudumi) which the Qur'an discusses is impermissible after the departure of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from this world as it was specified for him alone and his time. However, a defensive armed-struggle (Jihad al-Diffai) is permitted. He argues that the offensive Jihad carried out by the Messenger SAW was in fact a form of retribution against those who denied his Prophethood once it was clarified. He calls this penance to be the law of Itmam al-Hujjah as such punishment embraced even earlier generations as well who denied the Divine Messages brought by their respective Messengers. In the view of the author, this opinion does not conform to the guidelines that are given by the Qur'an and Sunnah regarding offensive armed-struggle.
This article presents the analytical and critical study of Jawayd Ahmad Ghamidi's argument of Law of Conclusive Contention (itmam al-Hujjah) and the Law of Armed Struggle (jihad). According to Mr. Ghamidi, the form of offensive armed struggle (Jihad al-Qudumi) which the Qur'an discusses is impermissible after the departure of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from this world as it was specified for him alone and his time. However, a defensive armed-struggle (Jihad al-Diffai) is permitted. He argues that the offensive Jihad carried out by the Messenger SAW was in fact a form of retribution against those who denied his Prophethood once it was clarified. He calls this penance to be the law of Itmam al-Hujjah as such punishment embraced even earlier generations as well who denied the Divine Messages brought by their respective Messengers. In the view of the author, this opinion does not conform to the guidelines that are given by the Qur'an and Sunnah regarding offensive armed-struggle.