What is jihad?

Cushan

The elephant in the room when discussing Jihad is the idea of Jihad as conquest. Islamic extremists and anti-Islamic polemists both regard it as such. I wish there was a resolution to that question.

afridi220

I've always wondered! welcome

The word Jihad stems from the Arabic root word J-H-D, which means "strive." Other words derived from this root include "effort," "labor," and "fatigue." Essentially Jihad is an effort to practice religion in the face of oppression and persecution. The effort may come in fighting the evil in your own heart, or in standing up to a dictator. Military effort is included as an option, but as a last resort and not "to spread Islam by the sword" as the stereotype would have one believe.

The Qur'an describes Jihad as a system of checks and balances, as a way that Allah set up to "check one people by means of another." When one person or group transgresses their limits and violates the rights of others, Muslims have the right and the duty to "check" them and bring them back into line. There are several verses of the Qur'an that describe jihad in this manner. One example

"And did not Allah check one set of people by means of another,
the earth would indeed be full of mischief;
but Allah is full of Bounty to all the worlds"
-Qur'an 2251
Islam never tolerates unprovoked aggression from its own side; Muslims are commanded in the Qur'an not to begin hostilities, embark on any act of aggression, violate the rights of others, or harm the innocent. Even hurting or destroying animals or trees is forbidden. War is waged only to defend the religious community against oppression and persecution, because the Qur'an says that "persecution is worse than slaughter" and "let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression" (Qur'an 2190-193). Therefore, if non-Muslims are peaceful or indifferent to Islam, there is no justified reason to declare war on them.

The Qur'an describes those people who are permitted to fight

"They are those who have been expelled from their homes
in defiance of right, for no cause except that they say,
'Our Lord is Allah.'
Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another,
there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches,
synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of God is commemorated
in abundant measure..."
-Qur'an 2240

Note that the verse specifically commands the protection of all houses of worship. Finally, the Qur'an also says, "Let there be no compulsion in religion" (2256). Forcing someone at the point of a sword to choose death or Islam is an idea that is foreign to Islam in spirit and in historical practice. There is absolutely no question of waging a "holy war" to "spread the faith" and compel people to embrace Islam; that would be an unholy war and the people's forced conversions would not be sincere.

About com islam

Wakas

http//misconceptions-about-islam.com/jihad-holy-war.htm

Zees

Jihad of today is synonymous with the christian crusades. It means a holy war when ones religion is perceived to be under attack. The concept of jihad these days has no notion of accountability by God. Like the christian zealots who came down in hordes to save Jerusalem from the (perceived)destruction by the Muslims. Slaughtered them like cattle and boasted to the Vatican that such is our service to our lord that the knees of our horses are sunk in the blood of the Muslims and Jews we have slaughtered. That is the Jihad of today's Islam. Kill first ask question later or better yet don't ask any questions. It matter little that the object of their ire may very well be their own brethren(Muslims).

MUNZIR_ALI

thanks for the info guys

Rev_John

Jihad of today is synonymous with the christian crusades. It means a holy war when ones religion is perceived to be under attack. The concept of jihad these days has no notion of accountability by God. Like the christian zealots who came down in hordes to save Jerusalem from the (perceived)destruction by the Muslims. Slaughtered them like cattle and boasted to the Vatican that such is our service to our lord that the knees of our horses are sunk in the blood of the Muslims and Jews we have slaughtered. That is the Jihad of today's Islam. Kill first ask question later or better yet don't ask any questions. It matter little that the object of their ire may very well be their own brethren(Muslims).

Sad isn't it.

TAJ

Jihad is resisting temptations.

Rami

Jihad is to struggle with your money(charity) and soul(fighting) for the cause of God in exchange for the Garden of Eden.

No longer a Sunna-rejecter

2218 Those who have acknowledged, and those who have emigrated and strived (jahadoo) in the cause of God; these are seeking God's compassion, and God is Forgiving, Compassionate.

6111 "That you acknowledge God and His messenger and strive (jahidoona) in the cause of God with your money and your lives. This is best for you, if only you knew."

jihad = strife

Cushan

A political blog I read just happened to have a post about Mawdudi today

"In his book Al-Jihad fil-Islam (Jihad in Islam) he explains his interpretation of Jihad

It must now be obvious that the objective of the Islamic jihad is to eliminate the rule of an un-Islamic system, and establish in its place an Islamic system of state rule. Islam does not intend to confine his rule to a single state or a hand full of countries. The aim of Islam is to bring about a universal revolution. Although in the initial stages, it is incumbent upon members of the party of Islam to carry out a revolution in the state system of the countries to which they belong; their ultimate objective is none other than world revolution

(Jihad Fi Sabillilah Jihad in Islam by Sayyid Abul Ala Mawdudi ?? Chapter 3, Pg 10)"

Human relations are so integrated that no state can have complete freedom of action under its principles unless the same principles are not in force in a neighbouring country. Therefore, a, ?Muslim Party? will not be content with the establishment of Islam in just one area alone ?both for its own safety and for general reform. It should try and expand in all directions. On one hand it will spread its ideology; on the other it will invite people of all nations to accept its creed, for salvation lies only therein. If this Islamic state has power and resources it will fight and destroy non-Islamic governments and establish Islamic states in their place.

(Maulana Mawdudi, Haqiqat-i-Jihad ,Pg 64, Taj Company Ltd, Lahore, Pakistan 1964)

http//www.hurryupharry.org/2009/08/25/mawdudi-the-godfather-of-islamism/

TheJoker

2218 Those who have acknowledged, and those who have emigrated and strived (jahadoo) in the cause of God; these are seeking God's compassion, and God is Forgiving, Compassionate.

6111 "That you acknowledge God and His messenger and strive (jahidoona) in the cause of God with your money and your lives. This is best for you, if only you knew."

jihad = strife

But, what does jihad entail?

Ahmad_Bilal

Peace to all,

Here's a good article I read concerning Islaamic "jihaad" and it's meaning and significance
http//aaiil.info/SimplyIslam/jihad.htm

Rami

What is the cause of God?

-Establishment of His rule in the holy land.
-Feeding and sheltering the poor.
-Freeing the oppressed.