Under Whose Command Obligatory Jihad Takes Place?

"'Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ‘Abbad al-Basri met Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), on the way to Mecca and said, ‘O Ali ibn al-Husayn, you have disregarded Jihad because it is difficult but you have inclined toward al-Hajj because of the ease in it. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, says, “Allah has purchased the souls and property of the believers in exchange for Paradise. They fight for the cause of Allah to destroy His enemies and to sacrifice themselves. This is a true promise which He has revealed in the Torah, the Gospel, and the al-Quran. No one is more true to His promise than Allah. Allow this bargain to be glad news for them. This is indeed the supreme triumph.’” (9:111) Ali ibn al-Husayn, (a.s) said, ‘Complete the verse.’ He then recited: ‘(The believers) who repent for their sins, worship Allah, praise Him, travel through the land (for pious purposes), kneel down and prostrate themselves in obedience to Allah, make others do good and prevent them from sins and abide by the laws of Allah, will receive a great reward. Allow this to be glad news for the believer.’ (9:112) Ali ibn al-Husayn, (a.s) said, ‘If we see these kinds of people with these qualities then Jihad along side with them is more virtuous than al-Hajj.’”

I was listening, said, ‘My father has narrated from the people of his family from their ancestors, Alayhim al-Salam, that he said to a certain one of them (ancestors), “In our location there is a place called Qazwin for keeping guard against the enemy called al-Daylam. Is Jihad or Ribat (guarding) obligatory?” He (the person of our ancestors) said, “You must not miss performing al-Hajj around this House.” He repeated the Hadith he had just said and the answer was again, “You must pay attention to this House to perform al-Hajj around it. Do you not agree that one of you stays home to spend on his family of his gains and wait for our cause to materialize? If he finds himself in such a day he is considered like those who were present with the prophet on the day of Badr. If he dies, while waiting for our cause to materialize, he is considered like one standing with the one from us, who will rise with divine authority, in his tent like this” - holding his two index fingers together - saying, “I do not say like this” - holding his index and middle fingers together -“because this one is taller than this.’” Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), then said, ‘He had spoken the truth.’”

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I saw a dream in which I said to you, “Fighting alongside one who is not an Imam, obedience to whom is obligatory, is unlawful just like consuming dead animals, blood and pork for food. You said to me (in my dream), “That is how it is.’” Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, then said, ‘That is how it is. That is how it is.’”