"Should I Get Married or Go on Jihad?"

Dr. Salah Soltan, President of the American Center for Islamic Research, Columbus, Ohio, and Member of the European Council for Fatwa and Research, frequently advises Muslims at the Live Fatwa sessions at Islam Online.  We've talked about Dr. Soltan (aka Sultan) earlier here, here and here.  This week, Dr. Soltan helped AbdAllah decide whether to get married, go on jihad, or do both!

Q: I live in France but there is jihad in my land. I am going to get married, but I'm afraid that maybe I will love this world too much and will change my mind and decide not to go to jihad. What is your advice for me?

A: Your question lacks details, therefore I cannot give you a specific answer. But generally speaking, marriage does not prevent someone from participating in legitimate jihad, it should increase his reward even as it would mean sacrifice of family and children. But whether this jihad is legitimate and worthy of sacrifice this what needs to be decided on getting to know the country and circumstances and needs of the people. Allah Almighty knows best.

Naturally, I assume AbdAllah and Dr. Soltan are both speaking about the peaceful jihad, the inner striving sort of jihad. You know, how can improve myself?  How can I do my job better? Yeah, that's it, certainly.  Of course neither AbdAlaah nor Dr. Soltan would be referring to participating in any sort of violent jihad back in his country of origin.  How could you think that?!?  What are you, some sort of bigot? 

Tell me again why this guy lives in the U.S.?

Comments

[Sissy Willis]

You know what I love? How it's all about the man's fears about his manhood. Family and children are mere props in their monomaniacal fantasies:

" . . . it should increase his reward even as it would mean sacrifice of family and children."

And guess who's going to be left behind to pick up the pieces? Family and children. Small price to pay to make the man feel better about himself?

[Solomon]

"Allah Almighty knows best"

With a little help from Salah Soltan.