Is There Personal Jihad In Islam?

Question:
Recently, I was in southern Italy and encountered so much sadness
along the way. There is so much Mafia and prostitution is rampant
These prostitutes are from Muslim countries such asmy country of
Albania or Morocco. They do this because they are low on money (the
Moroccan ones), or because they are forced into it through fear of
death or death of a little brother (such as the many Albanian ones).
Being anAlbanian myself, I want to know is it permissible to do
anything about this? In my heart, it seems like had this occurred
during the Prophet�s time, may peace and blessings be upon him, then
the umma, or at least a part of it, would declare war and execute the
perpetrators of this crime. I want to know if in such a case, is one
allowed to declare a jihad on these people who perpetrate this crime,
in order to liberate these poor women?
Answer:
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
Not at all, only the rightfulleader of the Muslims may declare jihad,
otherwise killing such people is only a murderous crime, even ifthey
are criminals. The jihad of the entire Muslim Community right now is
toeducate ourselves that thecrime of others is no justification for
indiscriminate violence, although we are supposedto know this basic
moral already. But Allah Almighty reminds us: {O yewho believe! Be
steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any
people seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer
to your duty. Observe yourduty to Allah. Lo! Allah is Informed of what
ye do} (5:8).
Your own jihad is to teach yourself and your community, particularly
secularists, to return to their traditional values by which a Muslim
daughter knows that even poverty is preferable to a sordid living and
that she has, in reality, a better choice than prostitution and crime.
Liberation is achieved with the help of Allah through education, not
mayhem.