Between Seeking Knowledge and Jihad – what to prefer?

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Shaikh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

The answer is: (seeking) knowledge is better than doing Jihaad in the way of Allaah, because everyone is in need of knowledge.

Imaam Ahmad رحمه الله said: “There is nothing like (seeking) `ilm for the one who has the correct intention.”

And it is not possible to make Jihaad obligatory upon every individual (Fardh `Ain) because of the saying of  Allaah تعالى:

{ وَمَا كَانَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لِيَنْفِرُوا كَافَّةً }

{And it is not (proper) for the believers to go out to fight (Jihad) all together} [Surah al-Tawbah (9): 122]

And if it were Fardh `Ain, then it would have been obligatory upon every Muslim:

{ فَلَوْلا نَفَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِنْهُمْ طَائِفَةٌ }

{Of every troop of them, only a party should go forth} [Surah al-Tawbah (9): 122]

Meaning: (a group should go forth) and group should stay behind.

{ لِيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَلِيُنْذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ إِذَا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ }

{So that they (who are left behind) may get instructions in religion, and that they may warn their people when they return to them, so that they may beware (of evil)} [Surah al-Tawbah (9): 122]

It also differs depending upon the doer and also differs depending upon the time.

Depending upon the doer: For example, we say to one person: It is better for you to go for Jihaad. And to the other we say: It is better for you to seek knowledge. For if a person is brave, strong and active but he is not that intelligent, then it is better for him to go for Jihaad, because this is what is suitable for him. And if a person is intelligent, has good memory and strong in persuasion, then it is better for him to seek knowledge. So, this is how it differs depending upon the doer.

Depending upon the situation (time): As for the time, then if we are in a time where the scholars are many and there is a need to fill the gaps in the frontline, then it is better to go for Jihaad. But if we are in a time where ignorance is prevailing and Bid`ah has began to appear among the people (i.e. people do Bid`ah more openly) and is spreading, then seeking knowledge is better.

There are three things which make it imperative to seek knowledge:

1. When the Bid`ah has emerged more openly and its evil has spread.

2. When people give Fatwaa without `ilm.

3. When people argue in (religious) matters without `ilm.

[Sharh al-Arba`een al-Nawawee]