Jihad” is a term often misunderstood and associated with violent radical militants. This Arabic word is frequently mistranslated as ” holy war,” although there is no such thing in Islam. Holy war is something undertaken to forcibly subject others to certain religious doctrines. This expressly forbidden in Islam.
The concept of Jihad in peoples mind
The Arabic word “Jihad” actually means a struggle or striving within and applies to any great effort on the personal as well as the evil from oneself and from society. This exertion of effort can be spiritual, social, economic or political. For example, one of the highest levels of jihad is to stand before a tyrant and speak a word of truth. Restraining the self from wrongdoing is also a form of jihad. It is a broad Islamic concept that includes opposing evil inclinations within the self, opposing injustice by peaceful means, the exertion o effort to improve the quality of life in society, as well as striving by military forces on a battlefield in defense of the community or of peoples oppressed. Jihad is not synonymous with war, as that is only one possible aspect of the term and it certainly does not include terrorism!
There is also jihad of the soul, which means striving to purify the soul, to increase its faith, incline it toward good and keep it away from evil. Then there is jihad through wealth, which means spending it in various beneficial ways, including charities and welfare projects. And there is jihad through the self which comprises all good works done by a believer.
It includes the protection of societies from oppression, foreign domination and dictatorships that usurp rights and freedom, that abolish just and moral rule, that prevent people from hearing the truth or following it, and that practice religious persecution. Jihad endeavours to teach belief in the one supreme God and worship of Him, to spread good values, virtue and morality through wise and proper methods. Jihad means striving for social reform and the elimination of ignorance, superstition, poverty, disease and racial discrimination. Among its main objectives is securing rights for weaker members of society against the impositions of the powerful and influential.
Armed jihad is not an option for Muslim individuals or groups. It can only be declared by the Muslim head of state and religious leadership. Moreover, it must never be fought for worldly gain, conquest or revenge. Muslims may only engage in battle to protect people’s lives, properties and freedom.
Jihad is the most misunderstood Islamic fundamental. Lets analyze what does Jihad mean?
Jihad does NOT mean "Holy War"
In fact the Arabic word for 'Holy war' is "Harbon Muqadasa" which does NOT occur anywhere in the complete Qur'an because Islam does NOT consider war to be holy.
Jihad is NOT any war fought by any Muslim for any reason
It is a common misconception among Non-Muslims as well as Muslims that Jihad means any war fought by any Muslim for any reason. Be it for land, language, property, etc. Jihad does NOT mean any war fought by any Muslim for any reason.
Jihad means "to strive, to struggle"
Jihad comes from the root word "Jahada" which means "to strive, to struggle". Even when I am writting this post, I am (striving) doing Jihad.
Even Non-Muslims can do Jihad
As the Qur'an says in Sura Ankaboot Chapter 29 Verse 8 that the pagan parents strive to convert their Muslim children back to paganism. When a Muslim strives for the cause of God, it is called 'Jihad fi sabil Allah' (striving in the way of God). Jihad is basically striving against one's own evil inclinations.
Islam allows fighting ONLY in self defense and against oppression
Striving(Jihad) in self-defence and against oppression is called 'Qital.' The Arabic word used for fighting in the Qur'an is 'Qital'. In Islam fighting is only allowed in self defense and against oppression.
Islam sets strict rules for "Qital"
Even while fighting in self defense or against oppression every Muslim has to strictly follow certain rules and regulations laid down by Islam. One can NOT harm or kill Non-combatants, women and children and slaves and the old, even if they helping the enemy with medication or food and water supplies in the battlefield. One can NOT kill of the cattle or damage plants.
The most misquoted Qur'anic verse about Jihad
The verse of Sura Tauba Chapter 9 Verse 5 is often misquoted by critics of Islam to say that the Qur'an commands to kill the Non-Muslims everywhere you find them. In fact if we look at the context (9:1-5) of 9:5 we find that there was a peace treaty between the Muslims of Madina and the pagans of Makkah and the pagans unilaterally broke the treaty. Qur'an gives the pagans the time of 4 monthes to put the things back in the right way otherwise they would have to pay for their this violation. Then the Qur'an encourages the Muslims to be brave and fight the pagans in the battlefield and if required in the fight even kill the enemy as any wise army general would command his troops in the battle. These critics do NOT quote the very next verse of Sura Tauba Chapter 9 Verse 6 which says that if the pagans want peace then grant them peace and even escort them to a place of security. The kindest army general would say leave the enemy, but the Qur'an says even take the enemy to a place of security. Whenever any Qur'anic verse talks about fighting, most of the times the very next verse says that peace is better.
All major world religions encourage doing Jihad
Not only Islam but all major world religions allow and encourage fighting against evil and oppression and in self defense. Even Jesus Christ himself said in Luke Chapter 22 Verse 36and in Mark Chapter 14 Verse 47 that take this sword, go and fight. Mahabharta, Bhagwad Gita, the Old Testament all are filled with verses about such fighting. Bhagwad Geeta, the most widely read Hindu scripture is an argument that Shri Krishan gives to Arjun to prove that it is good to fight.
Islam condemns the killing of any innocent human being
As the Qur'an says in Sura Maidah Chapter 5 Verse 32 that if anybody kills any innocent human being it is as though he has killed the whole humanity and if anyone saves the life of one human being it is as though he saved the whole humanity.
Islam condemns the incident of 9/11
So being a Muslim, I condemn the killing of any innocent human being as Qur'an teaches me to do so. I condemn the incident of 9/11. But if you ask me who was behind the incident of 9/11. I would say "I don't know." Because on one side is the flawed official story of 9/11, while on the other are the far more scientific and logical documentaries such as Loose Change and many more, which as a student of Science make more sense to me. But still I would say "I don't know." But no matter whoever was behind the incident of 9/11, I condemn it because killing any innocent human being is against Islam. I also condemn the London bomgings. In the same way I also condemn the killing of any INNOCENT human being in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine.
Two different labels are given to the same person for the same action by different people
Before giving anybody the label of a terrorist we must see who is giving the label. The British called George Washington, the Terrorist No.1. But after the independence of USA, the British labelled Terrorist No.1 of USA became the president and the God-father of all US presidents and the American public always knew him as and still knows him as a freedom fighter. The South African white government's labelled Terrorist No.1 Nelson Mandella became the president of South Africa. Nelson Mandella recieved the Noble Prize for Peace for the same actions for which the South African White government had jailed him for 25 years at Robin Islands. The British labelled Indian terrorists are still remembered as patriotic freedom fighters by the Indian public. So if you justify occupation by the oppressor then you would certify all such dim witted labels but if you really are a believer of peace then you would think twice before labelling anybody as a terrorist or a freedom fighter.
Nothing can justify the killing of any innocent human being
I do NOT know Osama Bin Ladin, have NOT met him. I neither call him a saint, nor a terrorist. I don't know if he really was behind the 9/11 incident or not. But even for the sake of arguement if I agree with you for a moment that he was behind the 9/11 incident and hence a terrorist. But any sensible human being would NEVER justify the killing of thousands of INNOCENT human beings in Afghanistan just to capture one suspect. I know that Saddam Hussain did many wrong things, but that does NOT justify the deaths of half a million children due to the lack of medication caused by the US sanctions on medical supplies to Iraq.
Media double standards regarding Islam
Media uses different tactics to malign Islam by representing the black sheep from the Muslim community, as all communities have, as if they are exemplary Muslims. Terrorist attacks with NO or hardly any casualities with Muslim SUSPECTS appear in the headline news, while CONFIRMED terrorist attacks by Non-Muslim terrorist groups appear in the news briefs. If any black sheep from the Muslim community does anything bad, it is termed as Islamic terrorism. While Non-Muslim terrorist groups such as IRA, LRA, LTTE, ULFA, who use religion to spread terrorism are NEVER called Catholic terrorists, Christian terrorists or Hindu terrorists. Non-Muslim terrorist groups are referred to by the area they belong to. In fact, such misinformation and false propaganda often leads to discrimination and acts of violence against Muslims. A case in point is the anti-Muslim campaign in the American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast, where the press was quick to declare a ‘Middle Eastern conspiracy’ behind the attack and kept saying it for days together. But when the culprit was later identified as a soldier from the American Armed Forcesm, the media hardly covered the story for a day.
The biggest terrorist of the 21st century
George W Bush, the former US president is the biggest terrorist of the 21st century. In a public poll held in USA asking who is the biggest terrorist, Osama, Saddam or Bush? Bush won the polls with a landslide victory and even the least percentage he recieved anywhere in the US was more than 70%. Even World leaders acknowledge this. Venzuelan president Hugo Chavez called George W Bush the biggest terrorist in the world. A noble peace prize winner said that if she could kill anybody she would kill George W Bush. The first person to indentify this terrorist was Dr. Zakir Naik, the leading orator on Islam and comparative religions, while answering the American counsel in Sydney.
As for the word Jihadists ;
Words such as “Jihadists” are purely media coined terms without any real meaning. In fact, here is what the Oxford American Dictionary says about this term:
USAGE: There doesn’t seem to be a pressing need for this English-friendly form since the Arabic term for a holy warrior, mujahid, has already made it into English in plural forms (mujahideen, mujahedin), along with jihadi, a form more in keeping with Arabic morphology. Jihadist, however, is the preferred form for all writers who are vehemently anti-Arab or anti-Islam.
The concept of Jihad in peoples mind
The Arabic word “Jihad” actually means a struggle or striving within and applies to any great effort on the personal as well as the evil from oneself and from society. This exertion of effort can be spiritual, social, economic or political. For example, one of the highest levels of jihad is to stand before a tyrant and speak a word of truth. Restraining the self from wrongdoing is also a form of jihad. It is a broad Islamic concept that includes opposing evil inclinations within the self, opposing injustice by peaceful means, the exertion o effort to improve the quality of life in society, as well as striving by military forces on a battlefield in defense of the community or of peoples oppressed. Jihad is not synonymous with war, as that is only one possible aspect of the term and it certainly does not include terrorism!
There is also jihad of the soul, which means striving to purify the soul, to increase its faith, incline it toward good and keep it away from evil. Then there is jihad through wealth, which means spending it in various beneficial ways, including charities and welfare projects. And there is jihad through the self which comprises all good works done by a believer.
It includes the protection of societies from oppression, foreign domination and dictatorships that usurp rights and freedom, that abolish just and moral rule, that prevent people from hearing the truth or following it, and that practice religious persecution. Jihad endeavours to teach belief in the one supreme God and worship of Him, to spread good values, virtue and morality through wise and proper methods. Jihad means striving for social reform and the elimination of ignorance, superstition, poverty, disease and racial discrimination. Among its main objectives is securing rights for weaker members of society against the impositions of the powerful and influential.
Armed jihad is not an option for Muslim individuals or groups. It can only be declared by the Muslim head of state and religious leadership. Moreover, it must never be fought for worldly gain, conquest or revenge. Muslims may only engage in battle to protect people’s lives, properties and freedom.
Jihad is the most misunderstood Islamic fundamental. Lets analyze what does Jihad mean?
Jihad does NOT mean "Holy War"
In fact the Arabic word for 'Holy war' is "Harbon Muqadasa" which does NOT occur anywhere in the complete Qur'an because Islam does NOT consider war to be holy.
Jihad is NOT any war fought by any Muslim for any reason
It is a common misconception among Non-Muslims as well as Muslims that Jihad means any war fought by any Muslim for any reason. Be it for land, language, property, etc. Jihad does NOT mean any war fought by any Muslim for any reason.
Jihad means "to strive, to struggle"
Jihad comes from the root word "Jahada" which means "to strive, to struggle". Even when I am writting this post, I am (striving) doing Jihad.
Even Non-Muslims can do Jihad
As the Qur'an says in Sura Ankaboot Chapter 29 Verse 8 that the pagan parents strive to convert their Muslim children back to paganism. When a Muslim strives for the cause of God, it is called 'Jihad fi sabil Allah' (striving in the way of God). Jihad is basically striving against one's own evil inclinations.
Islam allows fighting ONLY in self defense and against oppression
Striving(Jihad) in self-defence and against oppression is called 'Qital.' The Arabic word used for fighting in the Qur'an is 'Qital'. In Islam fighting is only allowed in self defense and against oppression.
Islam sets strict rules for "Qital"
Even while fighting in self defense or against oppression every Muslim has to strictly follow certain rules and regulations laid down by Islam. One can NOT harm or kill Non-combatants, women and children and slaves and the old, even if they helping the enemy with medication or food and water supplies in the battlefield. One can NOT kill of the cattle or damage plants.
The most misquoted Qur'anic verse about Jihad
The verse of Sura Tauba Chapter 9 Verse 5 is often misquoted by critics of Islam to say that the Qur'an commands to kill the Non-Muslims everywhere you find them. In fact if we look at the context (9:1-5) of 9:5 we find that there was a peace treaty between the Muslims of Madina and the pagans of Makkah and the pagans unilaterally broke the treaty. Qur'an gives the pagans the time of 4 monthes to put the things back in the right way otherwise they would have to pay for their this violation. Then the Qur'an encourages the Muslims to be brave and fight the pagans in the battlefield and if required in the fight even kill the enemy as any wise army general would command his troops in the battle. These critics do NOT quote the very next verse of Sura Tauba Chapter 9 Verse 6 which says that if the pagans want peace then grant them peace and even escort them to a place of security. The kindest army general would say leave the enemy, but the Qur'an says even take the enemy to a place of security. Whenever any Qur'anic verse talks about fighting, most of the times the very next verse says that peace is better.
All major world religions encourage doing Jihad
Not only Islam but all major world religions allow and encourage fighting against evil and oppression and in self defense. Even Jesus Christ himself said in Luke Chapter 22 Verse 36and in Mark Chapter 14 Verse 47 that take this sword, go and fight. Mahabharta, Bhagwad Gita, the Old Testament all are filled with verses about such fighting. Bhagwad Geeta, the most widely read Hindu scripture is an argument that Shri Krishan gives to Arjun to prove that it is good to fight.
Islam condemns the killing of any innocent human being
As the Qur'an says in Sura Maidah Chapter 5 Verse 32 that if anybody kills any innocent human being it is as though he has killed the whole humanity and if anyone saves the life of one human being it is as though he saved the whole humanity.
Islam condemns the incident of 9/11
So being a Muslim, I condemn the killing of any innocent human being as Qur'an teaches me to do so. I condemn the incident of 9/11. But if you ask me who was behind the incident of 9/11. I would say "I don't know." Because on one side is the flawed official story of 9/11, while on the other are the far more scientific and logical documentaries such as Loose Change and many more, which as a student of Science make more sense to me. But still I would say "I don't know." But no matter whoever was behind the incident of 9/11, I condemn it because killing any innocent human being is against Islam. I also condemn the London bomgings. In the same way I also condemn the killing of any INNOCENT human being in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine.
Two different labels are given to the same person for the same action by different people
Before giving anybody the label of a terrorist we must see who is giving the label. The British called George Washington, the Terrorist No.1. But after the independence of USA, the British labelled Terrorist No.1 of USA became the president and the God-father of all US presidents and the American public always knew him as and still knows him as a freedom fighter. The South African white government's labelled Terrorist No.1 Nelson Mandella became the president of South Africa. Nelson Mandella recieved the Noble Prize for Peace for the same actions for which the South African White government had jailed him for 25 years at Robin Islands. The British labelled Indian terrorists are still remembered as patriotic freedom fighters by the Indian public. So if you justify occupation by the oppressor then you would certify all such dim witted labels but if you really are a believer of peace then you would think twice before labelling anybody as a terrorist or a freedom fighter.
Nothing can justify the killing of any innocent human being
I do NOT know Osama Bin Ladin, have NOT met him. I neither call him a saint, nor a terrorist. I don't know if he really was behind the 9/11 incident or not. But even for the sake of arguement if I agree with you for a moment that he was behind the 9/11 incident and hence a terrorist. But any sensible human being would NEVER justify the killing of thousands of INNOCENT human beings in Afghanistan just to capture one suspect. I know that Saddam Hussain did many wrong things, but that does NOT justify the deaths of half a million children due to the lack of medication caused by the US sanctions on medical supplies to Iraq.
Media double standards regarding Islam
Media uses different tactics to malign Islam by representing the black sheep from the Muslim community, as all communities have, as if they are exemplary Muslims. Terrorist attacks with NO or hardly any casualities with Muslim SUSPECTS appear in the headline news, while CONFIRMED terrorist attacks by Non-Muslim terrorist groups appear in the news briefs. If any black sheep from the Muslim community does anything bad, it is termed as Islamic terrorism. While Non-Muslim terrorist groups such as IRA, LRA, LTTE, ULFA, who use religion to spread terrorism are NEVER called Catholic terrorists, Christian terrorists or Hindu terrorists. Non-Muslim terrorist groups are referred to by the area they belong to. In fact, such misinformation and false propaganda often leads to discrimination and acts of violence against Muslims. A case in point is the anti-Muslim campaign in the American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast, where the press was quick to declare a ‘Middle Eastern conspiracy’ behind the attack and kept saying it for days together. But when the culprit was later identified as a soldier from the American Armed Forcesm, the media hardly covered the story for a day.
The biggest terrorist of the 21st century
George W Bush, the former US president is the biggest terrorist of the 21st century. In a public poll held in USA asking who is the biggest terrorist, Osama, Saddam or Bush? Bush won the polls with a landslide victory and even the least percentage he recieved anywhere in the US was more than 70%. Even World leaders acknowledge this. Venzuelan president Hugo Chavez called George W Bush the biggest terrorist in the world. A noble peace prize winner said that if she could kill anybody she would kill George W Bush. The first person to indentify this terrorist was Dr. Zakir Naik, the leading orator on Islam and comparative religions, while answering the American counsel in Sydney.
As for the word Jihadists ;
Words such as “Jihadists” are purely media coined terms without any real meaning. In fact, here is what the Oxford American Dictionary says about this term:
USAGE: There doesn’t seem to be a pressing need for this English-friendly form since the Arabic term for a holy warrior, mujahid, has already made it into English in plural forms (mujahideen, mujahedin), along with jihadi, a form more in keeping with Arabic morphology. Jihadist, however, is the preferred form for all writers who are vehemently anti-Arab or anti-Islam.