The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India c7.s1.5

c7.s1.5

In *Surah* (Chapter) 2, *ayat* (injunction) 193, the Quran says, Fight against them (*the mushriks*) until idolatry is no more, and Allahs religion reigns supreme. The command is repeated in *Surah* 8, *ayat* 39. In *Surah* 69, *ayats* 3037 it is ordained: Lay hold of him and bind him. Bum him in the fire of hell. And again: When you meet the unbelievers in the battlefield strike off their heads and, when you have laid them low, bind your captives firmly (47.14-15). Cast terror into the hearts of the infidels. Strike off their heads, maim them in every limb (8:12). Such commands, exhortations and injunctions are repeatedly mentioned in Islamic scriptures. The main medium through which these injunctions were to be carried out was the holy *Jihad*. The *Jihad* or holy war is a multi-dimensional concept. It means fighting for the sake of Allah, for the cause of Islam, for converting people to the true faith and for destroying their temples. Iconoclasm and razing other peoples temples is central to Islam; it derives its justification from the Quranic revelations and the Prophets *Sunnah* or practice. Muhammad had himself destroyed temples in Arabia and so set an example for his followers. In return the *mujahid* (or fighter of *Jihad*) is promised handsome reward in this world as well as in the world to come. Without *Jihad* there is no Islam. *Jihad* is a religious duty of every Muslim. It inspired Muslim invaders and rulers to do deeds of valour, of horror and of terror. Their chroniclers wrote about the achievements of the heroes of Islam with zeal and glee, often in the very language they had learnt from their scriptures.