Is Jihad war or self Defense as claimed

In this case Jihad is war, real war not the verbal jihad that western Muslims want to convince us of.

We can find what jihad in this case means in Saheeh Muslim Book of Imara chapter (the sin of the one who died without hoping to invade) in this hadith we see that Abi saleh said that abu Hurarira told him that the prophet said, one who died without invading or hoping to invade has died as a type of Munafik (hypocrite)

Arabic Source:
حدثنا محمد بن عبد الرحمن بن سهم الأنطاكي أخبرنا عبد الله بن المبارك عن وهيب المكي عن عمر بن محمد بن المنكدر عن سمي عن أبي صالح عن أبي هريرة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من مات ولم يغز ولم يحدث به نفسه مات على شعبة من نفاق قال ابن سهم قال عبد الله بن المبارك فنرى أن ذلك كان على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
صحيح مسلم» كتاب الإمارة » باب ذم من مات ولم يغز ولم يحدث نفسه بالغزو

We can also find further evidence in Sahih Al Bukhari book of Iman chapter Fa in tabu w Akamu el salah.
Omar said that the prophet said that “ I was ordered to fight everybody until they confess that there is no god but allah and that Mohammed is his prophet , pray and Pay Zakat, so if they did they shielded their blood and money from me.

صحيح البخاري .. كتاب الإيمان .. باب فإن تابوا و أقاموا الصلاة و آتوا الزكاة فخلوا سبيلهم

Jihad Exposed: The Myth of “Self-Defense” Shattered – Muhammad’s Aggressive Wars and the Mandate for Endless Conquest

Hold on tight, because if you’ve bought into the sanitized narrative that jihad is just “self-defense” or an “inner spiritual struggle” (as some Western apologists peddle), prepare for a reality check. Straight from Islam’s most authentic sources—the Sahih Hadiths of Bukhari and Muslim—this isn’t about protecting borders; it’s a divine command for offensive warfare, invasion, and forced submission. Muhammad didn’t hunker down in Medina waiting for attacks; he launched proactive raids (ghazwat) far from home, targeting distant tribes, caravans, and cities to expand his empire under the banner of “Allah’s word supreme.” These weren’t desperate defenses—they were calculated aggressions, plundering resources, enslaving captives, and imposing Islam by the sword. We’ll break it down step by step, with crystal-clear explanations of the Hadiths you provided, historical proof of Muhammad’s expansionist campaigns, and why this blueprint for holy aggression debunks the “self-defense” lie. By the end, you’ll see jihad for what it is: a perpetual war machine aimed at global domination, not peaceful coexistence.

Step 1: Defining Jihad – It’s Military Invasion, Not “Inner Peace” or Verbal Debate

First things first: In the context of these Hadiths and Muhammad’s life, jihad means armed struggle—full-stop warfare involving invasions, battles, and conquests. The Arabic term “ghazw” or “ghazwa” literally refers to military raids or expeditions, often for plunder and expansion. Western Muslims might spin it as “struggle against the self” (jihad al-nafs) to make it palatable, but that’s a modern deflection. The sources you cited scream otherwise: Jihad here is about marching armies, shedding blood, and subjugating non-believers. No fluffy metaphors—just swords, shields, and sieges.

Let’s dive into the Hadiths you shared. I’ll translate them fully (based on standard English renditions from sunnah.com and scholars), explain their chain of narration (isnad) for authenticity, and unpack why they prove aggression over defense.

• Hadith from Sahih Muslim (Book of Imarah/Leadership, Chapter: The Sin of One Who Dies Without Having Gone on a Military Expedition or Having Thought of It): Arabic: “حدثنا محمد بن عبد الرحمن بن سهم الأنطاكي أخبرنا عبد الله بن المبارك عن وهيب المكي عن عمر بن محمد بن المنكدر عن سمي عن أبي صالح عن أبي هريرة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من مات ولم يغز ولم يحدث به نفسه مات على شعبة من نفاق قال ابن سهم قال عبد الله بن المبارك فنرى أن ذلك كان على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم” English Translation (Sahih Muslim 1910): Narrated by Abu Hurairah: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever dies without having fought in the cause of Allah (i.e., without having gone on a military expedition/ghazw), or without having thought of doing so, dies on a branch of hypocrisy.” The narrator adds that this was during the time of the Prophet.

  Explanation: This Hadith is classified as “sahih” (authentic), with a strong chain tracing back to Abu Hurairah, a close companion. “Ghazw” here explicitly means military invasion or raiding—not self-defense, not prayer, not debate. Muhammad condemns Muslims who die without actively participating in or even aspiring to offensive warfare as hypocrites (munafiqun), the ultimate insult in Islam (Quran 63:1-8 calls them hell-bound liars). Why? Because true faith demands conquest. If jihad were only defensive, why shame those who never “invade” (ghazw implies proactive attack)? This pushes endless aggression: Every able Muslim must wage war or crave it, turning pacifism into sin. In Muhammad’s era, this fueled his expansion—raiding caravans and tribes to “spread” Islam. No “inner struggle” here; it’s a call to arms for perpetual holy war.

• Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Faith/Iman, Chapter: “If They Repent, Perform Prayer, and Give Zakat, Then Leave Their Way Free”): Arabic: “الحديث الثامن عن ابن عمر رضي الله تعالى عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : أمرت أن أقاتل الناس حتى يشهدوا أن لا إله إلا الله ، وأن محمدا رسول الله ، ويقيموا الصلاة ، ويؤتوا الزكاة ، فإذا فعلوا ذلك ، عصموا مني دماءهم وأموالهم ، إلا بحق الإسلام ، وحسابهم على الله تعالى رواه البخاري ومسلم .” English Translation (Sahih Bukhari 25): Narrated by Ibn Umar: Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and perform the prayers, and give Zakat. If they do that, then they save their lives and property from me except for Islamic laws, and their reckoning (accounts) will be with Allah.”

  Explanation: Also sahih, narrated by Ibn Umar (son of Caliph Umar). Muhammad claims a direct divine order to “fight against the people” (al-nas, meaning everyone) until they convert or submit fully—Shahada, prayer, zakat. Refuse? Your blood and wealth are halal (permissible) to seize. This isn’t defense; it’s an open-ended command for offensive war until global Islamization. “Fight the people” doesn’t specify threats—it’s universal. After Muhammad’s death, this justified the Ridda Wars (apostasy campaigns) and conquests of Persia, Byzantium, etc. If it were self-defense, why fight until they pay zakat (a Muslim tax)? This is coercion: Convert/submit or die—pure aggression.

These Hadiths aren’t outliers; they’re echoed across collections (e.g., Muslim 22, Bukhari 392). They mandate invasion (ghazw) as a religious duty, proving jihad’s core is offensive expansion, not reactive protection.

Step 2: Muhammad’s Wars (Ghazwat) – Far-Flung Aggressions, Not Home Defense

The ultimate proof? Muhammad’s own military record. He didn’t sit in Medina fending off invaders; he initiated 86 campaigns in 9 years (27 ghazwat he led personally, 59 saraya he dispatched)—an average of 9+ per year. Most were offensive raids far from home, targeting trade routes, tribes, and cities to plunder, convert, or conquer. Medina was his base, but he marched hundreds of kilometers to attack, showing naked expansionism. This wasn’t survival; it was empire-building, spreading Islam by force as per the Hadiths.

Here’s a breakdown of key ghazwat (from historical sources like Ibn Ishaq’s Sirah and Tabari’s Tarikh). Distances from Medina highlight the aggression—why travel so far if it’s “defense”?

• Ghazwa al-Abwa (Waddan, 623 CE): Offensive. Muhammad raided a Quraysh caravan alliance 80km west. No battle, but a treaty—preemptive strike on trade.
• Ghazwa Buwat (623 CE): Offensive. Targeted a Quraysh caravan 150km north. No fight, but intent: Disrupt commerce, weaken enemies economically.
• Ghazwa al-Ushayrah (623 CE): Offensive. Raided another caravan 200km north. Again, no clash, but shows Muhammad seeking out distant targets.
• Battle of Badr (624 CE, 130km south): Offensive. Muhammad intercepted a rich Quraysh caravan returning from Syria. He marched out with 313 men to ambush it, leading to battle. Not defense—pure raid for spoils (booty distributed per Quran 8:41).
• Invasion of Banu Qaynuqa (624 CE, in Medina): Arguably defensive (post-Badr tensions), but Muhammad besieged and expelled a Jewish tribe inside Medina after accusations—internal power consolidation.
• Ghazwa as-Sawiq (624 CE, near Medina): Defensive chase after raiders, but rare exception.
• Battle of Uhud (625 CE, 5km from Medina): Defensive. Quraysh attacked to avenge Badr.
• Invasion of Banu Nadir (625 CE, in Medina): Offensive. Muhammad besieged and expelled another Jewish tribe over alleged plots—more consolidation.
• Battle of the Trench (Khandaq, 627 CE, Medina): Defensive siege by coalition.
• Invasion of Banu Qurayza (627 CE, Medina): Offensive follow-up to Trench; besieged Jewish tribe, executed 600-900 men, enslaved women/children.
• Invasion of Banu Mustaliq (627 CE, 200km east): Offensive raid on a tribe for alleged hostility—plundered, took captives (including Juwayriya as wife).
• Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (628 CE, near Mecca, 400km south): Non-violent pilgrimage attempt, but led to…
• Battle of Khaybar (628 CE, 150km north): Offensive. Marched to siege Jewish fortresses, accused of plotting. Conquered oases, imposed jizyah tax—expansion for resources.
• Conquest of Mecca (630 CE, 400km south): Offensive. Muhammad led 10,000 men to seize his birthplace, destroying idols, forcing conversions.
• Battle of Hunayn (630 CE, near Taif, 450km south): Offensive against Hawazin tribe resisting Mecca’s fall.
• Siege of Taif (630 CE, 450km south): Offensive continuation; bombarded city with catapults.
• Expedition to Tabuk (630 CE, 700km north): Offensive. Marched to Byzantine border on rumors of invasion—show of force, collected jizyah from Christian tribes.

Out of 27 ghazwat, at least 18 were offensive/initiated by Muhammad, most 100-700km from Medina. Saraya (delegated raids) were similar—e.g., Sariyya to Nakhla (200km), where Muslims killed and plundered a caravan in sacred month, sparking Badr. Why venture so far if “self-defense”? These were expansionist: Raid for wealth (caravans funded army), subdue rivals (Jews/tribes), and enforce Islam (convert or tax/submit). Total casualties: Thousands killed, enslaved. Muhammad’s forces grew from 313 at Badr to 30,000 by death—classic conquest.

Defenders claim “context” (tribal warfare), but Hadiths show divine mandate for universal fight, not just local threats. If defensive, why attack peaceful caravans or distant oases?

Step 3: The Big Picture – Jihad’s Aggressive Legacy and Why It Matters

These Hadiths and wars prove jihad is offensive: Muhammad’s “order to fight everybody” until submission isn’t reactive—it’s proactive domination. “Ghazw” as hypocrisy-preventer demands Muslims crave invasion. This fueled Islamic conquests: Post-Muhammad, caliphs invaded Persia, Egypt, Spain—millions subjugated.

Today? Groups like ISIS cite these for caliphate revival, but even “moderate” interpretations keep the expansionist seed. No wonder child marriages or apostasy killings persist—it’s sunnah.

In short, jihad isn’t self-defense; it’s holy aggression, with Muhammad as the aggressor-in-chief, waging far-flung wars to build an empire. The evidence? Undeniable.

Sources and Hadith References (Copy-Paste List)

• Sahih Muslim 1910 (Book 20, Hadith 4696): Full text available at https://sunnah.com/muslim:1910
• Sahih Bukhari 25 (Book 2, Hadith 18): Full text available at https://sunnah.com/bukhari:25
• List of Muhammad’s Expeditions: From Sirah Rasul Allah by Ibn Ishaq (translated by A. Guillaume, 1955), available at https://archive.org/details/SiratIbnIshaq
• Tarikh al-Tabari (History of al-Tabari): Volumes on the Prophet’s life, available in English translation by SUNY Press (e.g., Vol. 7: The Foundation of the Community)
• Wikipedia Summary of Expeditions: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_expeditions_of_Muhammad (cross-referenced with primary sources)
• Additional Hadiths on Jihad: Sahih Muslim 22, Sahih Bukhari 392
• Academic Analysis: “The Life of Muhammad” by Muhammad Husayn Haykal (1976), detailing offensive vs. defensive campaigns
• Critique on Jihad: “Understanding Jihad” by David Cook (2005, University of California Press), Chapter 1 on early Islamic wars
• Historical Maps/Distances: Based on “Atlas of the Prophet’s Biography” by Shawqi Abu Khalil (Darussalam, 2003)
• Online Hadith Databases: Sunnah.com for all Sahih collections; Quran.com for related verses (e.g., Quran 8:39)

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