Conditions of Jihad

Seven conditions are required for jihad to be obligatory: **1. Islam** - Jihad is not obligatory on a disbeliever because it is an act of worship - A disbeliever cannot be sincere or trustworthy - Not permitted to go out with the Muslim army - **Hadith:** The Prophet ﷺ told a mushrik who followed him at Badr: "Do you believe in Allah and His Messenger?" He said no. He said: "Go back, for I will not seek help from a mushrik" [Muslim] **2. Puberty** - Not obligatory on a child as he is not legally responsible - **Hadith of Ibn Umar:** He presented himself to the Prophet ﷺ at Uhud when he was 14, and the Prophet did not permit him to fight [Bukhari & Muslim] **3. Sanity** - Not obligatory on the insane as the pen is lifted from them **4. Being Male** - Not obligatory on women - **Hadith of Aisha رضي الله عنها:** "O Messenger of Allah, is there jihad for women?" He said: "Jihad without fighting: Hajj and Umrah" [Ibn Majah - sahih] **5. Freedom** - Not obligatory on slaves as they are owned by their masters **6. Physical and Financial Ability** - Not obligatory on one who cannot bear arms due to weakness or old age - Nor on the poor who cannot afford provision - **Quran:** "Nor [is there blame] upon those who find nothing to spend" [9:91] **7. Soundness from Ailments** - Not obligatory on the blind, lame, or chronically ill - **Quran:** "There is not upon the blind any guilt or upon the lame any guilt or upon the ill any guilt" [48:17]