Javed Ahmad Ghamidi on The Islamic Law of Jihad,

Radical Islamism and Jihad

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi on The Islamic Law of Jihad

The first type of Jihād is an eternal directive of the Sharī‘ah. As stated, it is launched to curb oppression and injustice. The second type, however, is specific to people whom the Almighty selects for delivering the truth as an obligation. They are called witnesses to the truth; the implication being that they bear witness to the truth before other people in such a complete and ultimate manner that no one is left with an excuse to deny the truth. Bearing witness to the truth in such a manner is called ‘شهادة’ (shahādah). In the history of mankind, for the very last time this status was conferred on the Prophet Muhammad (sws) and his Companions (rta):

وَكَذَلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا (٢ :١٤٣)

And similarly, O Companions of the Prophet! We have made you an intermediate group2so that you be witnesses [to this religion] before the nations, and the Rasūl be such a witness before you. (2:143)

http://newageislam.com/javed-ahmad-ghamidi-on-the-islamic-law-of-jihad--/radical-islamism-and-jihad/d/1490