Approximately fourteen hundred years ago, prophet Muhammed ,the last
in the line of the prophets of Islam (Submission), delivered the Quran, the
Final Testament. Islam (Submission in English) was founded by Abraham.
Ever since the Renaissance, its believers have been subjected to difficulties.
From the Inquisition in Spain and Andalucia to the ethnic cleansing in Bosnia
and Chechnya, the Muslim people have endured colonial regime and economic
and military oppression. By the means of media, Islam (Submission)
has been given a sinister image in the eye of the public opinion, this notorious
image is mainly due to the ignorance and misunderstanding of the media and
public. A word which is often heard and associated with the acts of certain
individuals, claiming to act in the name of Islam, is the Arabic word: Jihad.
Its significance plays an extremely crucial role in the image of Islam. But
what does this so widely known word mean?
Jihad has a great significance in the lives of Muslims (Submitters in English).
Like any language, Arabic has unique words which have a particular meaning
which cannot be translated precisely. The best translation known for such
a word is the following: a sincere and noticeable effort (for good); an all
true and unselfish striving for spiritual good.
Jihad as presented in the Quran and any of the other scriptures
implies the striving of spiritual good. This Jihad particularly involves
change in one's self and mentality. It may concern the sacrifice of material
property, social class and even emotional comfort solely for the salvation
and worship of God ALONE. As a result, one who practises Jihad will gain
tremendously in the Hereafter*.
"The Hereafter is far better
for you than this first (life.)"(93:4)
"Say, "O my people, do your
best, and so will I. You will surely find out who the ultimate
victors are." Certainly, the wicked will never succeed."(6:135).
The Jihad involves noticeable effort for righteousness. This means that the
effort concentrated in the Jihad is a step in the true and ultimate path
of Islam (submission); the effort imposed on one's self. Thus Jihad is solely
individual, self-centered and self-interested. This effort is only the doing
of good for salvation and pardon of God. The Quran points this out in the
following verse:
"The day will come when every
soul will serve as its own advocate, and every soul will be paid
fully for whatever it had done, without the least injustice."
(16:111).
" The day will come when each
soul will find all the good works it had done brought forth. As
for the evil works, it will wish that they were far, far
removed. GOD alerts you that you shall reverence Him alone. GOD
is Compassionate towards the people. "
(3:30).
In respect to the above Quranic verses, God tells the believers that all
acts will reflect the soul of their authors. Examples of this Jihad would
be to exceed in the sincere act of good deeds (to frequent the mosques that
worship God alone more often; to study the scripture in detail, to help the
poor and the orphans, to stand for people's right for freedom, be equitable,
never bear witness false testimony, frequent and stay in good terms with
friends and neighbors, etc.) and the restraining of the doing of sins (to
commit adultery, to steel, to lie, to cheat, to insult people, to gossip,
etc.);
"As for those who lead a righteous life, male or female, while
believing, they enter Paradise; without the slightest
injustice." (4:124).
The previous Quranic verse highlights the meaning of Jihad and its role.
It has also mentioned the importance of the sincerity when it is practised.
Jihad emphasizes on the individual.
Say, "O my people, do your
best, and so will I. You will surely find out who the ultimate
victors are." Certainly, the wicked will never succeed."(6:135).
Jihad also includes the striving and establishing of justice. Before one
can strive for justice in his/her community, justice must be one of his/her
main religious and moral principles.
Jihad may also reflect the war aspects in Islam (Submission). The fighting
of a war in the name of justice or Islam, to deter an aggressor
, for self defense, and/or to establish justice and freedom to practice
religion , would also be considered a Jihad .
"You shall strive for the
cause of GOD as you should strive for His cause. "
(22:78).
The previous Quranic verse incites man to strive , in the cause of God. The
cause of God is justice and freedom for all, keeping the Quranic principle,
"NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION" (2:256) on top of the list.
"As for those who lead a
righteous life, male or female, while believing, they enter
Paradise; without the slightest injustice.(4:124).
"Never indeed, by your Lord;
they are not believers unless they come to you to judge in their
disputes, then find no hesitation in their hearts whatsoever in
accepting your judgment. They must submit a total submission."(4:65).
"O you who believe, you shall
be absolutely equitable, and observe GOD, when you serve as
witnesses, even against yourselves, or your parents, or your
relatives. Whether the accused is rich or poor, GOD takes care
of both. Therefore, do not be biased by your personal wishes. If
you deviate or disregard (this commandment), then GOD is fully
Cognizant of everything you do." (4:135).
Since this verse shows that God accepts only justice, fighting in the name
of God is fighting in the name of justice. But, contrary to many people's
interpretation, Jihad is anything but a holy war; the media and public
misunderstand this.
In the light and essence of Islam (Submission) and the Quran, there
is no war which is holy; this, under any circumstances whatsoever. In fact
the whole text of the Quran and the religion of Islam (Submission)
revolves around the concept of peace, not war. To many people's ignorance,
Islam (Submission) is also a word that share the same root of
the Arabic word Salaam meaning peace. To Islam (Submission), war is
unholy, Jihad must mean anything but holy war.
However, there are times, in certain circumstances, when Islam (Submission)
tolerates, permits and sometimes even accepts the practice of war. Islam
strongly emphasizes the ideas of justice, freedom, and opposition to oppression.
There is another condition: fighting for self-defense. War is tolerated in
these conditions, but if there is a possibility to avoid war, then this
alternative, as long as it is reasonable, must be taken.
"You shall prepare for them all the power you can muster, and all the equipment
you can mobilize, that you may frighten the enemies of GOD, your enemies,
as well as others who are not known to you; GOD knows them. Whatever you
spend in the cause of GOD will be repaid to you generously, without the least
injustice.If they resort to peace, so shall you, and put
your trust in GOD. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient."
(8:60-61)
Self-defense includes fighting against oppression, aggression and tyranny; Islam tolerates
the use of war in these cases.
"Permission (to fight) is granted to those who are being persecuted,
since injustice has befallen them, and GOD is certainly able to support them.
They were evicted from their homes unjustly, for no reason other than saying,
"Our Lord is GOD." If it were not for GOD's supporting of some people against
others, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and masjids - where the
name of GOD is commemorated frequently - would have been
destroyed. Absolutely, GOD supports those who support Him. GOD
is Powerful, Almighty."(22:39-40).
The other condition and perhaps the most important and often confused as
a holy war, is the war in the name of God which actually means in the cause
of God as God does not encourage war but rather encourages peace
whenever possible. Fighting an oppressor or aggressor is fighting against
oppression or aggression, thus it is fighting for justice and therefore in
the name (cause) of God. See (2:244), (22:78) and ;
"Those who readily fight in
the cause of GOD are those who forsake this world in favor of
the Hereafter. Whoever fights in the cause of GOD, then gets
killed, or attains victory, we will surely grant him a great
recompense. Why should you not fight in the cause of GOD when
weak men, women, and children are imploring: "Our Lord, deliver
us from this community whose people are oppressive, and be You
our Lord and Master."(4:74-75).
Even as an enemy, the Muslim (Submitter in English) must respect his
adversaries. Mere, brutal and barbaric fighting is condemned in Islam
(Submission). Islam condemns barbaric killing of any human being. During
military activities, the killing must not include civilians, provided they
do not attack or provoke or share directly in the war. . The enemies, even
when at war, must be treated justly. If victory is achieved in any war for
justice, then there is to be no oppression, enslavement or injustice
to the enemy or people. Nor must there be control over source of wealth of
the nation or people or colonial regimes. The division of people, putting
them one against the other is also forbidden. Justice and freedom must be
established. The cooperation and acceptance of other cultures and peoples
is compulsory too.
" GOD advocates justice,
charity, and regarding the relatives. And He forbids evil, vice,
and transgression. He enlightens you, that you may take heed.(16:90)
"O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you
distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another.
The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous.
GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant."(49:13)
In Brief; the meaning the media gives to this word (Jihad) is false.
This word does not mean a holy war, for there is nothing holy about a war
in Islam (submission). There are times when war is tolerated, permitted and
even, in some case, to a point accepted, but never considered holy. Islam
(Submission) is a religion of peace, no matter what certain media or deranged
individuals say or claim. Islam (Submission) revolves around the concept
of peace.
"If they resort to peace, so
shall you, and put your trust in GOD. He is the Hearer, the
Omniscient."(8:61).
See also:
(1)
Terrorism and
Islam.
(2)
The
war system in Islam.
(3)
Human rights
in Islam.
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