Is being male a condition for the obligation of Jihad?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Jihad

Book 54 · Issue 3 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Being male is a condition for the obligation of Jihad. Aisha reported asking the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) if Jihad was obligatory upon women, to which he replied that the Jihad incumbent upon them without fighting is Hajj and Umrah. Additionally, women are not suited for direct fighting due to perceived weakness, which is why they do not receive a share (of spoils). The Khuntha Mushkil (ambiguous hermaphrodite) is not obligated because their status as male cannot be confirmed, thus negating obligation in case of doubt regarding the condition.