What is Jihad? -- Islamic Holy War? Muslims Killing Jews & Christians

What is Jihad?
Islamic Holy War? Muslims Killing Jews & Christians?

That is what we are told - by the western media. But what is the real truth behind this word JIHAD?

Jihad Explained

by Dr. Amir Ali, Ph.D. (May Allah have Mercy on him)

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 fulfill 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 Quran:

"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..." [Noble Quran 29:8; also see 31:15]

In the above two verses of the Quran, 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 Quran or authentic Hadith
collections or in early Islamic literature. Unfortunately, some Muslim
writers and translators of the Quran, 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 Quran 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 Quran (the Word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him). The Quran and the Hadith use the word "jihad" in
several different contexts which are given below:

1. RECOGNIZING THE CREATOR AND LOVING HIM MOST:
====================================

It is human nature to love what is seen with the eyes and felt with the
senses more than the UNSEEN REALITY. The Creator of the Universe and
the One God is Allah. He is the Unseen Reality which we tend to ignore
and not recognize. The Quran addresses those who claim to be believers:

"O you who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren for
protectors if they love disbelief over belief; whoever of you takes them
for protectors, such are wrong-doers. Say: if your fathers, and your
children, and your brethren, and your spouses, and your tribe, and the
wealth you have acquired, and business for which you fear shrinkage, and
houses you are pleased with are dearer to you than Allah and His
Messenger and STRIVING in His way: then wait till Allah brings His command to pass. Allah does not guide disobedient folk." [Noble Quran 9:23, 24]

It is indeed a struggle to put Allah ahead of our loved ones, our
wealth, our worldly ambitions and our own lives. Especially for a
non-Muslim who embraces Islam, it may be a tough struggle due to the
opposition of his family, peers and society.

2. RESISTING PRESSURE OF PARENTS, PEERS, AND SOCIETY:
======================================
Once a person has made up his mind to put the Creator of the Universe
above all else, he often comes under intense pressures. It is not easy
to resist such pressures and STRIVE to maintain dedication and love of
Allah over all else. A person who has turned to Islam from another
religion may be subjected to pressures designed to turn him back to the
religion of the family. We read in the Quran:

"So obey not the rejecters of faith, but strive (Jahidhum) against them by it (the Quran) with a great endeavor." [Noble Quran 25:52]

3. STAYING ON THE STRAIGHT PATH STEADFASTLY:
=================================

Allah says in the Quran:
"And STRIVE (JADIHU) for Allah with the
endeavor (JIHADIHI) which is His right. He has chosen you and has not
laid upon you in the DEEN (religion) any hardship..." [Noble Quran
22:78]

"And whosoever STRIVES (JAHADA), STRIVES (YUJAHIDU) only for himself, for lo! Allah is altogether independent of the universe." [Noble Quran 29:6]

As for those who strive and struggle to live
as true Muslims whose lives are made difficult due to persecution by
their opponents, they are advised to migrate to a more peaceful and
tolerant land and continue with their struggle in the cause of Allah. Allah says in the Quran:

"Lo! As for those whom the angels take (in death) while they wronged
themselves, (the angels) will ask: 'In what you were engaged?' They will
say: 'We were oppressed in the land.' (The angels) will say: 'Was not
Allah's earth spacious that you could have migrated therein?'" [Noble
Quran 4:97]

"Lo! Those who believe, and those who emigrate (to escape persecution) and STRIVE (JAHADU) in the way of Allah, these have hope of Allah's mercy..." [Noble Quran 2:218]

Allah tests the believers in their faith and their steadfastness:

"Or did you think that you would enter Paradise while yet Allah knows not those of you who really STRIVE (JAHADU), nor knows those (of you) who are steadfast." [Noble Quran 3:142]

"And surely We shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and
loss of wealth and lives and fruits; but give tidings to the
steadfast." [Noble Quran 2:155]

We find that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his clan were
boycotted socially and economically for three years to force him to
stop his message and compromise with the pagans but he resisted and
realized a moral victory [2].

4. STRIVING FOR RIGHTEOUS DEEDS:
=======================

Allah declares in the Quran:
"As for those who STRIVE (JAHADU) in Us (the
cause of Allah), We surely guide them to Our paths, and lo! Allah is
with the good doers." [Noble Quran 29:69]

When we are faced with two competing interests, it becomes jihad to choose the right one, as the following Hadith exemplify:

"Ayshah, wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, 'O Messenger of
Allah, we see jihad as the best of deeds, so shouldn't we join it?' He
replied, 'But the best of jihad is a perfect Hajj (pilgrimage to
Makkah).'" [Sahih Al-Bukhari #2784]

At another occasion, a man asked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

"'Should I join the jihad?' He asked, 'Do you have parents?' The man said, 'Yes!' The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Then strive by serving them!'" [Sahih Al-Bukhari #5972]

Yet another man asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him):

"'What kind of jihad is better?' He replied, 'A word of truth in front of an oppressive ruler!'" [Sunan Al-Nasa'i #4209]

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "...the MUJAHID (one who carries out jihad) is he who STRIVES against himself for the sake of Allah, and the MUHAJIR (one who emigrates) is he who abandons evil deeds and sin." [Sahih Ibn Hibban #4862]

5. HAVING COURAGE AND STEADFASTNESS TO CONVEY THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM:
================================================== =

The Quran narrates the experiences of a large number of Prophets and
good people who suffered a great deal trying to convey the message of
Allah to mankind. For examples, see the Quran 26:1-190, 36:13-32. In
the Quran, Allah specifically praises those who strive to convey His
message:

"Who is better in speech than one who calls (other people) to Allah,
works righteous, and declares that he is from the Muslims." [Noble
Quran 41:33]

Under adverse conditions it takes great courage to remain a Muslim,
declare oneself to be a Muslim and call others to Islam. We read in the
Quran:

"The (true) believers are only those who believe in Allah and his messenger and afterward doubt not, but STRIVE with their wealth and their selves for the cause of Allah. Such are the truthful." [Noble Quran 49:15]

6. DEFENDING ISLAM AND THE COMMUNITY:
============================

Allah declares in the Quran:
"To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to defend
themselves), because they are wronged - and verily, Allah is Most
Powerful to give them victory - (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'..." [Noble Quran 22:39-40]

The Quran permits fighting to defend the religion of Islam and the
Muslims. This permission includes fighting in self-defense and for the
protection of family and property. The early Muslims fought many
battles against their enemies under the leadership of the Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him) or his representatives. For example, when
the pagans of Quraysh brought armies against Prophet Muhammad (peace be
upon him), the Muslims fought to defend their faith and community [3].
The Quran adds:

"Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight against you, but
do not transgress limits. Lo! Allah loves not aggressors. ...And fight
them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah. But if
they desist, then let there be no hostility except against
transgressors." [Noble Quran 2:190, 193]

to be continued

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