The third circumstance: when the lines have formed and the two armies confront one another—the ranks of the unbelievers facing the ranks of the Muslims—jihad then becomes an individual obligation, and no one may withdraw. Allah the Exalted says: “O you who believe! When you meet those who disbelieve advancing in battle, do not turn your backs to them. Whoever turns his back to them on that day—unless it be as a tactical maneuver or to join another company—has incurred the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell, an evil destination indeed” (al-Anfal 8:15-16).

The Prophet ﷺ counted fleeing on the day of battle among the seven destructive sins.

The fourth circumstance: when the community needs a particular person—such as when only one individual knows how to operate a certain weapon and the people require him to use this new arm—jihad becomes personally binding on him even if the imam has not summoned him, because the need is specific to him.

In these four situations, jihad is an individual duty; in all other situations it is a collective duty.

The scholars have said that the Muslims must undertake jihad at least once each year against the enemies of Allah so that the word of Allah remains supreme—not merely to defend the homeland as homeland, for the defense of one’s land as such is done by both believers and unbelievers alike; even the disbelievers defend their countries, but