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Jihad
4/13/2002 (18:06) |
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Jihad in Islam: Is it terrorism or not?
Encyclopedia Britannica states the definition of Jihad
“jihad: (fight or battle)
A religious duty imposed on Muslims to spread Islam by waging war or by killing Non-Muslims; jihad has come to denote any conflict waged for principle or belief and is often translated to mean “holy ...”.
But this statement doesn't cover the true representation of jihad. Because Jihad does not allow to kill the Non-Muslims without any reason. Jihad is always defensive, not aggressive.
Islamic concept of Jihad is:
Exerting one's power in repelling the enemy to the extent of one's ability whether by word or by deed or action.
A war that is undertaken for a just cause, that is, in the way of Allah (SWT) and for the defense of Islam.
So a man who exerts him self strives hard physically or spiritually or spent his wealth in the way of Allah (SWT) is indeed engaged in jihad.
There are certain circumstances under which it becomes obligatory duty of every Muslims to do Jihad. And Jihad is not destruction or oppression. Jihad spreads peace and destroys oppression in the world. Jihad does not allow rape, or the abuse of a woman's honor or blemish the honor of the ill, the elderly or the young. Jihad does not destroy places of worship of any religion. Jihad does not overturn crops and pastures or to kill animals or birds. Jihad does not cut through trees or the beauty of this Earth's wildlife. Jihad clears the path from all obstacles, and allows mankind to enter into peaceful life.
Allah says in Holy Quran
'And Fight them until there is no persecution'.
What is going on in Kashmir, Why Jihad in Kashmir is necessary
When we look at the Indian troops in, we see that there is evidence of 75,000 murders, over 112,000 rape cases, over 2350 farming lands burnt….. the numbers are endless. So who is it that is a danger to humanity?
And we look at the six million Muslims of Kashmir. From 50 years of oppression and cruelty that they have suffered. From the mass rape and murder of innocent women and children.
we still continue our struggle against India, to liberate Kashmir from the clutches of oppressors. And we do du'aa that He makes us of the Shuhaddah, and that we die as martyrs for His sake alone.
What is the position of Islam on war and conflict?
Allah has said in the Qur 'an that He does not love those who create trouble in the Earth. (16:90, 9:111) He also said that people who do wrong will be punished. Now this doesn't mean that Islam is against fighting or defending one's self. Allah said, 'And those who, when they are oppressed wrongly, help and defend themselves.' (42:39)
What Islam is against is random violence and senseless killing. According to the Qur'an, 'If you kill a life it is as if you killed all life.' Of course the life in question is of an innocent person. (See 190,2:229 and 16:90 for example.)
Now the word Jihad literally means, to struggle or strive, or to work for something with determination. It does not mean war. The Arabic word for war is Harb and the word for fighting is Qital.
This is important to know, because making Jihad is any action which is done to further the cause of Allah. Even giving da'wah in a tough place, going to learn knowledge or donating money when it's a hardship can be a type of Jihad. (4:81)
However, the word jihad is most often associated with the act of physically confronting evil and wrong-doing, hence, it can be applied to the act of fighting as well. (3:110) But the goal of a physical Jihad is not to have a big war, gain riches or kill people, it is to further the cause of Allah and to create justice on Earth. (5:0) Then, when the evil is removed, or the other side wants peace, we are to make peace as well. (8:61) A person came to the Blessed Prophet and asked, 'A man fights for treasure, another for fame and a third for bravery. Whose fighting is for the Cause of Allah?'
The Blessed Prophet answered, 'The one who fights so that the Word of Allah becomes supreme, his fight is for Allah. (Agreed)
A physical Jihad may only be initiated for three reasons:
1) To defend the Muslim community against aggression.
2) To eliminate an evil force which is oppressing people. And
3) To remove any barrier to the free flow of Islamic da'wah. (8:39)
The first two are easy to understand. The third would be necessary if for example, there was a Country which forbade the practice of Islam or its preaching.
Obviously they are wrong-doers and are attempting to stop the truth from being preached.
It's interesting to note that the Prophet once mentioned to a companion of his after a battle that 'You have left the lesser Jihad, now you are coming to the greater jihad. The struggle against yourself.'
(Meaning your own soul and the temptations which affect it.)
If Muslims are being oppressed or victimized, then we can fight back. (16:41-42) If anyone dies in a Jihad they automatically will go to Paradise. A Shaheed or Martyr, is described this way by Allah, 'Don't think that those who were killed in Allah's Cause are dead.
No, they are alive, finding their bounty in the presence of their Lord.' (3:169)
A person who engages in Jihad is called a Mujahid, or Struggler for Allah. Allah also explained for us the reasons why fighting is sometimes a part of Jihad. He said: 'Let those fight in the Cause of Allah who sell the life of this world for the next life. To the one who fights in the Cause of Allah, whether he is Killed or achieves victory, We shall soon give him a great reward. And why shouldn't you fight in the Cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are mistreated, the men, women and children whose only cry is 'Our Lord! Save us from this land whose people are oppressors and bring to us from You someone who will protect us and bring to us from You someone who will help.'
Those who believe fight in the Cause of Allah, and those who reject faith fight in the cause of evil. So fight against the friends of Shaytan. Weak is the plan of Shaytan.' (4:74-76)
We can declare a Jihad, or struggle against an evil oppressor. (8:65-66) But commanding the Ummah to do Jihad can only be done by the Amir, or leader of the Ummah. (4:59) We don't have one right now.
Muslims are settled all over the world and are quite comfortable, especially in non-Muslim lands. But after building countless Masjids and schools and social networks, we never even bothered to elect a Kilalifa or Amir. And we dare to even talk about Jihad? The Blessed Prophet commanded Muslims to make a leader even if there were only three people present.
We're not even following that rule, so who are the people who want to declare a Jihad?
If we did have a leader, elected by the community, then he could look after the affairs of the Ummah and declare a Jihad if necessary. If a real Jihad was declared, then we, as Muslims, must obey and follow the rules of Islam in our conduct. (9:38-41,7:56)
According to Islamic teachings, a Muslim army should only fight against those who are fighting us. (22:3940) We are not allowed to hurt women, children, innocent people, old people, farmers, the sick, nor are we allowed to harm plants, homes, property or animals. Anyone who declares a Jihad, but then doesn't follow these rules, is a wrong-doer and must be stopped.
If we were called upon to participate in a true Jihad, declared by our chosen leader, then we must give our all in the effort. (3:142-143) Allah has promised at those who struggle (make Jihad) with their strength, property and lives will be rewarded with the highest rank near to Him. (9:20 & 3:195 & 49:15))
There is no such thing as terrorism in Islam.
16:90). Nor can a Muslim ever be a fundamentalist because there is only one way to follow Islam - the right way. And the non-Muslim media is controlled by people who like to make Islam and Muslims look bad. (48:55-56) But never forget, there are misguided Muslims who seem to do everything in the world to make themselves, and Islam, look bad as well. (2:19)))
We must correct our own understanding of Islamic teachings by studying them for ourselves, directly from the Qur'an and Sunnah. Only then can we properly carry out the duty of Jihad.
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