Seyyed Qotb and Allamah Tabatabaei on Meaning of Jihad Being Regarded as Qital, Warfare

Propagating revelation and calling people to accept it may be regarded as two main duties of prophets. On prophets` manner of invitation with regard to jihad, two groups of verses may be found in the holy Quran: one calling up for jihad and the other recommends lack of obligation and opponents` acceptance of religion. Commentators have taken different positions to harmonize the two groups. The paper has intended to study views of two contemporary commentators Seyyed Qotb and Allamah Tabatabaei in this field critically. The former has viewed the verses as revealed stage by stage and, in this way, attempted to solve the problem. On his solution, jihad is regarded as a primary jihad and a revolutionary combat for destroying human-made governments and establishing Divine sovereignty. The latter, however, emphasizing lack of obligation in religion, has viewed the verses of jihad as mohkamat, entirely clear revelations, and in this way, solved the problem.