whose hypocrisy was known, but he said: “People must not say that Muhammad kills his companions.” (1) The evidence that they are to be striven against is Allah’s saying:

“O Prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites.” [At-Tahrim 66:9]

Since striving against the hypocrites is through knowledge, we must equip ourselves with knowledge in the face of the hypocrites who raise doubts concerning Allah’s religion in order to turn people away from the path of Allah. If a person lacks knowledge, doubts, desires, and innovations may overwhelm him, and he will be unable to refute them.

As for the third category:

It is striving against the openly hostile, obstinate disbelievers who wage war, and this is carried out with weapons. It may be said that Allah’s statement,

“Prepare against them whatever force you can.” [Al-Anfal 8:60]

includes both categories: striving against the hypocrites through knowledge and striving against the disbelievers through weapons. However, the Prophet’s saying, peace and blessings be upon him, “Indeed, strength is in shooting,” (2) supports the view that what is intended is weaponry and fighting.

It is a collective obligation, but it becomes obligatory when one is present for it, when an enemy besieges one’s land, or when the Imam calls one forth.

His statement, “It is a collective obligation”: a collective obligation is that which, when a sufficient number of people undertake it, is waived for the rest and becomes recommended in their case. This is its ruling.

As for its rank in Islam, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, called it: “the highest peak of the camel’s hump