What is Jihad

Tuesday, September 19, 2006 What is Jihad? =====>>> (Must Read to Know) Jihad is one of the most misunderstood, and abused aspects of Islam. There are some Muslims who exploit and misuse this concept for their own political objectives. There are many non-Muslims who misunderstand it. There are some non-Muslims who misinterpret it to discredit Islam and Muslims.What is Jihad?The word Jihad does not mean “Holy War”. It means “struggle” or “striving”. The word for war in the Qur’an is “Harb” or “Qital”. Jihad means serious and sincere struggle on the personal as well as on the social level. It is a struggle to do good and to remove injustice, oppression and evil from the society. This struggle should be spiritual as well as social, economic and political. Jihad is to work hard to do right things. In the Qur’an this word is used in its different forms 33 times. It often comes with other Qur’anic concepts such as faith, repentance, righteous deeds and migration.Jihad is to protect one’s faith and one’s human rights. Jihad is not a war always although it can take the form of war. Islam is the religion of peace, but it does not mean that Islam accepts oppression. Islam teaches that one should do one’s utmost to eliminate tension and conflict. Islam promotes non-violent means to bring change and reform. Actually, Islam urges that one should eliminate evil through peaceful means without the use of force as much as possible. In Islamic history from the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) until now, Muslims most of the time resisted oppression and struggled for liberation in non-violent and peaceful manners.Islam teaches proper ethics in the situation of war also. The war is permissible in Islam, but only when other peaceful means such as dialogue, negotiations and treaties fail. It is a last resort and should be avoided as much as possible. Its purpose is not to convert people by force, or to colonize people or to acquire land or wealth or for self-glory. Its purpose is basically: defense of life, property, land, honor and freedom for oneself as well as defense of others from injustice and oppression.The basic rules of war in Islam are:1. Be strong so that your enemy fear you and should not attack you.2. Do not begin the hostilities. Work for peace as much as possible.3. Fight only those who fight, no collective punishment; non-combatants should not be harmed. Weapons of mass destruction should not be used.4. Stop hostilities as soon as the other party is inclined to peace.5. Observe the treaties and agreements as long as the enemy observes them.Allah says very clearly: (Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not do aggression, for Allah loves not the aggressors.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 190)(The prohibited month, for the prohibited month, and so for all things prohibited, there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 194)Jihad is not terrorism:It is to be emphasized that terrorism against the innocent civilians, whether through aggression or suicidal means, is under no circumstances permissible in Islam. Islam encourages the oppressed people to struggle for their liberation and it commands other Muslims to help those who are oppressed and suffering, but Islam does not allow, under any circumstance, terrorism against non-combatants and innocent people. Terrorism is not Jihad, it is Fasad (mischief). It is against the teachings of Islam. There are some people who use their twisted arguments to justify terrorism for their causes, but it has no justification: Allah says: (When it is said to them: 'Make not mischief on the earth,' they say: 'Why, we only want to correct things.' Indeed they are the mischief doers, but they realize (it) not.)(When it is said to them: 'Make not mischief on the earth,' they say: 'Why, we only want to correct things.' Indeed they are the mischief doers, but they realize (it) not.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 11-12)Islam wants to establish a world order where all human beings - Muslims and non-Muslims - can live with justice in peace, harmony and good will. It gives its followers full guidelines to find peace in their personal and social lives, but it also tells them how to extend the good will on the basis of human relations towards others. Muslims worked under these principles for centuries. People of many faiths lived with them and among them. Islamic societies were known for their tolerance, generosity and humanity.In our modern society where we are living in a global village, where non-Muslims are living with Muslims in the Muslim countries and Muslims are living with non-Muslims in countries where non-Muslims constitute a majority, it is our duty to bring better understanding among ourselves, work for peace and justice for all people and cooperate with each other in matters of goodness and virtue in order to stop all terrorism, aggression and violence against the innocent people. This is our Jihad today. 3:52:29 PM Posted By certainly certainly Comments (5) Uncategorized Comments Farhan Tuesday, September 19, 2006 4:16:18 PM Well Said. As you already have done I want to reiterate that our Jihad today is to strive to leave in harmony with our neighbours. But this world is made of people who misuse the texts of the holy Quran and eyewash poort and young innocent brothers to take up the path of aggression and take innocent lives. onlooker Tuesday, September 19, 2006 4:42:22 PM Whatever u guys say ...but truth is unlike any other religion in this planet, Islam is the only relgion that had its prophet shedding blood of others...Jesus was mecilessly killed but still he remained docile and forgave the sinners, Hindu saints always took to non violence, Buddha was also totally non violent... Can't think of any saint/prophet except for Muhammed who taught with the sword Manwendra Tuesday, September 19, 2006 4:47:31 PM I have firm belief in what is said.Further, no religion in the world is based on violence and all of them teach us fraternity, love and peaceful co-existence. K.Venugopal Tuesday, September 19, 2006 7:35:54 PM The faith of Muslims is based on Allah's declaration that Islam is the only true religion. Muslims believe that they have a bounden duty to preach Islam to the world. When they preach, they are actually telling their audience that any path other than Islam has no sanctity. This is one basis of Jihad – Jihad by the sword (Jihad bis saif). There are Jihads and there are Jihads. Jihad bis saif does mean holy war for the sake of sanctity, i.e. to purge all other, according to Islam, so-called religions. If it hasn't quite happened, it is because worldwide Islam is still in a minority. jj Tuesday, September 19, 2006 9:01:18 PM in the international conference of world religions, a document was circulated among the religious leaders to sign that "all religions are true"the hindus signed it, the budhists signed it. the sikhs and the jews did it.all except muslisms and christianswhy this hypocrisy ??