it is stipulated that he must possess the provisions (zad) and the support for his family during the period of his absence, and a weapon with which to fight. A riding beast (rahila) is not considered [a condition] because it is a short journey. If the distance is one where prayer is shortened, then the riding beast is also considered, due to the saying of Allah the Exalted: {Nor [is there blame] on those who, when they came to you that you might give them mounts, you said, "I can find nothing to mount you upon." They turned back, and their eyes overflowed with tears out of grief that they could not find something to spend [for the cause of Allah]} (23).

Section: The minimum [frequency for Jihad] is once every year, because the Jizyah (poll tax) is mandatory upon the people of the Dhimmah (protected non-Muslim subjects) every year, and it is a substitute for military aid (nusrah), so its substitute, which is Jihad, must likewise be performed once every year, unless there is an excuse. Examples of this include the Muslims being weak in numbers or equipment, or [awaiting reinforcements] (24) to assist them, or the road to them being blocked, or there being no fodder or water, or knowing that the enemy has a favorable view of Islam such that there is hope for their conversion if fighting is delayed, or other similar circumstances where one perceives that the public interest lies in refraining from fighting. It is permissible to abandon it for a truce [or without a truce] (25), for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) made a truce with the Quraysh for ten years and delayed fighting them until they breached his covenant (26), and he delayed fighting certain Arab tribes without a truce. If the need arises for fighting more than once in a year, it becomes mandatory, because it is a communal obligation (fard kifayah), so it becomes obligatory to the extent that the need requires.

1620 - Issue; He said: (Abu Abd Allah said: I do not know of any act after the obligatory ones that is better than Jihad.)

A group of his companions narrated this issue from Ahmad. Al-Athram said: Ahmad said: We do not know of any of the gates of righteousness that is better than the way [of Jihad]. Al-Fadl ibn Ziyad said: I heard Abu Abd Allah, and the matter of military expedition (ghazw) (1) was mentioned to him, so he began to weep and said: There is no act of righteousness better than it. Others also narrated from him: