A Muslim is only permitted to take up arms in two main instances . Firstly , against an oppressive government. Secondly , in self defence. When any of these two conditions are present , then a Muslim is permitted to take up arms , provided that the decision has been made by a group consensus of leading Ulema’s (Scholars and Jurists). In this case , striving in this effort , against an oppressor , is known as Jihad. It does not matter who the oppressor is – all Muslims have a duty to fight all forms of oppression, discrimination and slavery (whether it is social, political or economic). If a Muslim is oppressing a Muslim, then all Muslims must perform Jihad against the Muslim ruler to fight on behalf of the silent masses. If a Jewish government is oppressing its Jewish citizens, then Muslims have a duty to perform Jihad against the oppressor. If a Christian government or a Hindu government or a Communist government or any other oppressive government is oppressing its citizens , then Muslims are duty bound to assist and free the victims of oppression.
