Jihad: one of the most misunderstood concepts in Islam
by M. Amir Ali, Ph.D
by M. Amir Ali, Ph.D
"Islam" and other various Islamic terms and concepts are grossly
misunderstood in the West. Muslims can hardly find anyone to blame but
themselves because (a) they have failed to live by the Islamic tenants
in our times, and (b) they have failed to promote understanding of Islam
in the West through outreach projects. This brochure is a humble
attempt to briefly explain the terms given in the title. The Institute
of Islamic Information & Education (III&E) has published almost
fifty brochures and several articles for promoting understanding of
Islam among Muslims and non-Muslims equally. Please write to the
III&E or visit their web site for more information.
Some of the Islamic Terms
Islam: means a commitment to live in peace through submission to the Will of God (Allah).
Muslim: is a person who makes a commitment to live in peace through servitude to Allah.
Jihad: means "struggle" and "strive" against
evil thoughts, evil action and aggression against a person, family,
society or country. Jihad may be a "justifiable war", borrowing the
Christian term.
Mujahid: is a person who engages in Jihad for
the sake of Allah according to the Quran (Muslim's source book for
guidance) and Sunnah (the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon
him). Mujahidin is the plural of Mujahid.
"Islamic terrorism": There is no such phrase or term in the Islamic source books of the Quran or the Sunnah and has no place in Islam.
Sunnah: Sunnah is the preferred way of the
Prophet Muhammad that includes his teaching. The sources of the Sunnah
are authentic Hadith (reports of the Prophet's sayings, doings and
approvals) collections.
The True Meaning of "Jihad"
Jihad is usually associated with Islam and Muslims, but in fact,
the concept of Jihad is found in all religions including Christianity,
Judaism and political/economic ideologies, such as, Capitalism,
Socialism, Communism, etc. Islam defines Jihad as striving and
struggling for improvement as well as fighting back to defend one's
self, honor, assets and homeland. Also, Jihad is interpreted as the
struggle against evil, internal or external of a person or a society.
Jihad, in Islam, means doing any or all but not limited to the
following:
Learn, teach, and practice Islam in all aspects of one's life at
all times to reach the highest and best education in order to benefit
oneself, family and society.
Be a messenger of Islam everywhere, in every behavior and action.
Fight evil, wrongdoing, and injustice with all one's power by
one's hand (action), with one's tongue (speech), or at least with one's
heart (prayer).
Respond to the call for Jihad with money, effort, wisdom and
life; yet, never fight a Muslim brother, a Muslim country, or a
non-Muslim society that respects its treaties and harbors no aggressive
designs against Islam or Muslims.
Suicide under any pretext is not condoned as Jihad in Islam.
Converting people to Islam by force or coercion is never Jihad but a crime, punishable by law.
The concept of Muslim men rushing out to kill themselves to get "70 dancing virgins" in Paradise, is really quite silly.
The fact of the matter is, the "companions of Paradise" are
mentioned as being pure and so much above anything we might imagine on
earth, so as to indicate to us they are perpetually "virgin" and are not
"touched" by men or devils.
The words "perpetual virgin" even in English, should give anyone the understanding these are not such as we have known on earth.
There can be no mistaking the meaning in the Arabic language as to the purity and innocence of these companions.
The Levels of Jihad
A personal struggle within one's self to submit to Allah, fight
evil within one's self, achieve higher moral and educational standards -
Inner Jihad.
Jihad against evil, injustice and oppression within one's self, family and society - Social Jihad.
Jihad against all that prevents Muslims from servitude to God
(Allah), people from knowing Islam, defense of a Muslim society
(country), retribution against tyranny, and/or when a Muslim is removed
from their homeland by force - Physical Jihad or an armed struggle.
The Quran defines physical Jihad as being the highest level of
Jihad that one can undertake. Its reward is eternal Paradise. Muslims
also know that all humans are accountable for what they have done during
their life on this earth. Muslims will be asked about what they did
with their lives and their level of submission to Allah on the Day of
Judgment.
Does Jihad mean Holy War?
In Islam, there is no such thing as holy war. This terminology
was generated in Europe during the Crusades and their war against
Muslims. Islam recognizes Jews and Christians as the "People of the
Book" because they all follow the Prophet Abraham, believing in Moses'
and Jesus' teachings. For many centuries, Muslims have peacefully
coexisted with Christians, Jews, and people of other faiths, maintaining
social, business, political and economic treaties. Islam respects all
humans and faiths as long as there is no religious oppression,
forbidding Muslims from serving Allah, preventing others from learning
about Islam, and not respecting treaties. For more information on the
topic of Jihad see the brochure Jihad Explained or request brochure #18
from the III&E, the publisher of this article.
Who is authorized to call for Jihad as a war?
Jihad must be performed according to Islamic rules and
regulations and only for the sake or in the service of Allah. The
physical or military Jihad must be called by a Muslim authority, such
as, a president or head of a Muslim country after due consultations with
the learned leadership.
What Does Islam Say about Terrorism?
The term "terrorism" does not exist in the Quran or the
teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. If the terms "terrorist or terrorism"
are derived from a verb used in the Quran, such as 5:33 describing a
"Muslim's" terrorist acts, it is in condemnation and prescribes most
severe punishment. Islam is a religion and a way of life that does not
separate politics from religion. Islam is a religion of mercy, unity and
most importantly peace with one's self and others, to defend not to
fight. Allah said in His Book the Quran:
"God does not forbid you from showing kindness and dealing
justly with those who have not fought you about religion and have not
driven you out of your homes, that you should show them kindness and
deal justly with them. God loves just dealers." [Noble Quran 60:8]
"Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not begin aggression, for God loves not aggressors." [Noble Quran 2:190]
"If they seek peace, then seek you peace and trust in God for He is the Hearer, the Knower." [Noble Quran 8:61]
" and let not the hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be
just: that is next to piety; and fear Allah, for Allah is
well-acquainted with all that you do." [Noble Quran 5:8]
"But (remember that an attempt at) requiting evil may, too,
become an evil: hence whoever pardons (his foe) and makes peace, his
reward rests with Allah- for, verily He does not love transgressors." [Noble Quran 42:40]
"The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel the evil
deed with one which is better, then lo! He between whom and thee there
was enmity, (will become) as though he was a bosom friend. [Noble Quran 41:34]
Some of the Prophet Muhammad's Teachings (Sunnah)
He prohibited Muslim soldiers from killing women, children and
the elderly, or cut a palm tree, and he advised them, "do not betray, do
not be excessive, do not kill a newborn child."
"Whoever has killed a person having a treaty with the Muslims
shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance is found
for a span of forty years."
"The first cases to be adjudicated between people on the Day of
Judgment will be those of bloodshed." Killing is the second major sin in
Islam.
"Truly your blood, your property, and your honor are inviolable."
"There is a reward for kindness shown to every living animal or human."
Islam and Human Rights
The Quran and Sunnah encourage Muslims to respect the life and property of all mankind.
In an Islamic State these rights are considered sacred, whether a person is Muslim or not.
Islam protects honor, forbids insulting others, and/or making fun of them.
Islam rejects certain individuals or nations being favored because of their wealth, power, and/or race.
All Muslims believe that Allah created all humans free and
equal, only to be distinguished from each other on the basis of
God-consciousness or piety and never on the basis of race, color or
ethnicity.
Islam is a practical religion that respects all human beings and
it was revealed for all mankind. Its message is that of peace and
submission to Allah. Muslims believe in all the Prophets mentioned in
the Bible, and the Quran. The Quran shares many moral teachings of the
Old Testament and the New Testament. These three religions (and their
books) were founded upon the revelations by One True God, Allah.
Jihad in the Bible
Let us see what the Bible has to say about Jihad in the meaning
of war and violence. The following verses are from the Bible, New
International Version (NIV), 1984
"Do not allow a sorceress to live. Anyone who has
sexual relations with an animal must be put to death. Whoever sacrifices
to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed." [Exodus 22:18-20]
"This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says:
'each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp
from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and
neighbor.'
The Levites did as Moses commanded and that day about three
thousand of the people died." [Exodus 32:27-28]
"The LORD said to Moses, 'Take vengeance on the
Midianites for the Israelites. The Israelites captured the Midianite
women and children and took all the Midianite herds, flocks and goods as
plunder. They burned all the towns where the Midianites had settled, as
well as all their camps. (Moses ordered) "Now kill all the boys. And
kill every women who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every
girl who has never slept with a man." [Numbers 31:1-18]
(Jesus said) "But those enemies of mine who did
not want me to be king over them - bring them here and kill them in
front of me." [Luke 19:27]
"He (Jesus) said to them, 'But now if you have a
purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your
cloak and buy one." [Luke 22:36]
Differential treatment
Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy and forgiveness. If an
individual Muslim were to commit an act of terrorism, this person would
be guilty of violating the basic tenants of Islam.
When Timothy McVeigh bombed the Oklahoma City building, no
American or Christian was labeled as a terrorist or was the target of
hate crimes. When Irish Christians carry out acts of terrorism against
each other and on the British Isles, the Christian religion is not
blamed but individuals or their political agenda. Unfortunately, the
same is not true for American Muslims and Arabs. The vast majority of
Muslims or Arabs have no association with the violent events around the
world yet Islam is invoked with terrorism. It is unfair to 1.5 billion
Muslims of the world and religion of Islam.
Criteria of guilt
Innocent until proven guilty in an open court is an accepted
universal principle of justice along with liberty and freedom for all
humankind. However, the U.S. failed to practice the same principles for
those who are not U.S. nationals. Even worse, the U.S. is creating
military tribunal for secret trials because there may be inadequate
evidence to prove Arabs and Muslims guilty in open courts.
May Allah bless us all and purify our hearts from all misunderstanding, malice, hate and anger.
Source: http://www.aboutjihad.com/terrorism/islam_jihad_terrorism.php
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