 |
 Advice / Tips: |
|
|
 Islamic finance |
|
|
| Guides / Maps |
|
|
 Forum: |
|
|
 Other: |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
JIHAD EXPLAINED |
|
> The Meaning of Jihad |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
JIHAD EXPLAINED
In the linguistic sense, the Arabic word "jihad" means struggling or
striving and applies to any effort exerted by anyone. In this sense, a
student struggles and strives to get an education and pass course work; an
employee strives to fulfil his/her job and maintain good relations with
his/her employer; a politician strives to maintain or increase his (1)
popularity with his constituents and so on. The term strive or struggle
may be used for/by Muslims as well as non-Muslims; for example, Allah, the
One and Only True God says in the Qur'an:
|
"We have enjoined on people kindness to parents; but if they STRIVE
(JAHADAKA) to make you ascribe partners with Me that of which you have no
knowledge, then obey them not..." (29:8; also see 31:15)
In the above two verses of the Qur'an , it is non-Muslim parents who strive
(jahadaka) to convert their Muslim child back to their religion.
In the West, "jihad" is generally translated as "holy war," a usage the
media has popularized. According to Islamic teachings, it is UNHOLY to
instigate or start war; however, some wars are inevitable and justifiable.
If we translate the words "holy war" back into Arabic, we find "harbun
muqaddasatu," or for "the holy war," "al-harbu al-muqaddasatu." WE
CHALLENGE any researcher or scholar to find the meaning of "jihad" as holy
war in the Qur'an or authentic Hadith collections or in early Islamic
literature. Unfortunately, some Muslim writers and translators of the
Qur'an, the Hadith and other Islamic literature translate the term "jihad"
as "holy war," due to the influence of centuries-old Western propaganda.
This could be a reflection of the Christian use of the term "Holy War" to
refer to the Crusades of a thousand years ago. However, the Arabic words
for "war" are "harb" or "qital," which are found in the Qur'an and Hadith.
For Muslims the term JIHAD is applied to all forms of STRIVING and has
developed some special meanings over time. The sources of this development
are the Qur'an (the Word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S) [(S)
denotes Sall-Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam, meaning peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him].
Terrorism Has No Religion!
Holy war, suicide bombings, fighting for faith, and killing in the name of God — from Crusaders to terrorists, from sacred shrines to New York City, history is tainted by a grave disease afflicting humankind. While all the known religions of the world call for LOVE, PEACE, TOLERANCE, FREEDOM OF BELIEF AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING, many of the terrorists’ acts are committed in this world by people who call themselves religious, and attribute their horrendous and evil acts to the religion. However, God condemns their acts in the scripture. The true religion of Islam forbids the killing of innocent people, irrespective of the cause—religious, political or social beliefs. This is stated in the Quran, the holy book of Muslims.
[Quran 6:151] “...You shall not kill — GOD has made life sacred — except in the course of justice. These are His commandments to you, that you may understand.”
The laws of the scriptures that apply to the Christians and Jews are repeated and emphasized for the Muslims also.
[Quran 5:32] “...we decreed for the Children of Israel that anyone who murders any person who had not committed murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people. And anyone who spares a life, it shall be as if he spared the lives of all the people. ...”
All Religions Condemn Terrorism
The religion of Islam should not be confused with what these terrorists have done. The terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaida who kill innocent people are actually, by the definition of the Quran, not Muslims, but plain murderers. Who would like to describe Hitler or the likes of Ku Klux Klan as good Christians? We should not let our emotions overcome our logic and understanding. There is no religious scripture that does not condemn terrorism. Every righteous person in any religion would condemn such actions regardless of terrorist’s race, country or religious background.
True Islam
What is the ideal of Islam? Islam is not a name that defines you as better than your neighbor or rewards you a special status with God. The name itself is an Arabic word derived from the meaning to surrender or submit. Islam is submission to God’s will. It is a way of life that guides your actions and forms your character. Islam is a state of awareness and appreciation of God’s boundless attributes. As your soul submits, you are able to practice the meaning of peace, compassion, love, forgiveness, and charity that originate from one Source. The shades of superiority, prejudice and judgment fade as the world comes into focus with the eyes of your soul. In Islam, the best among us in the sight of God is not the white or the black, the male or the female, a person who calls himself or herself Christian, Jew, or Muslim, but rather, the one who is the most righteous.
Islam or Submission to God alone is a way of life encouraged from the time of Abraham by Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, messengers who have followed Abraham. The one who is able to surrender the soul is called a Muslim in Arabic, or Submitter. There are Submitters to the Creator in every faith. They are those who place no limits on their belief in the Unseen and impose no judgments on the different forms of striving towards attaining God’s mercy. This common striving encourages unity within a diverse group of people who advance their personal strides by learning from one another.
Righteous People in All Religions
Thus, the love of God is not reserved for people of religious sects or denominations that cling to an exclusive belief of guaranteed “salvation.” God’s infinite love flows to the charitable, righteous, benevolent, equitable, and the just: Those who recognize their accountability and work towards being good.
[Quran 2:62] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who believes in GOD, and believes in the Last Day, and leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
No Coverage
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
