The term 'jihad' explained.
The word jihad sends shivers down the spines of many Westerners. They readily equate this term with violence and oppression. However, it must be said that the meaning of jihad, as a 'holy war', is something which is totally foreign and not from Islam. If anything, such a description belongs more so to Christianity and its adherents. It was terms like this which were used to justify the slaughter and pillage of towns and cities during the crusades by the Christians. By simply looking into the sources of Islam, one is able to know that the true meaning of jihad is to strive/make effort in the way of Allah. Thus striving in the way of Allah can be both peaceful and physical. The Prophet Muhammed (saws) said:
"The best jihad is (by) the one who strives against
his own self for Allah, The Mighty and Majestic" <3>
In the Qur'an, Allah also says:
"So obey not the disbelievers, but make a great jihad
(effort) against them (by preaching) with it (the Qur'an)"
(Surah Al-Furqan 25:52)
By controlling and fighting against ones desires, the
Muslims can then also physically exert themselves in the path of Allah. It is
this physical or combative jihad which receives so much criticism. Because of
the sheer ignorance of this type of jihad Islam is regarded as terror, and
Muslims are regarded as terrorists. However, the very purpose of this physical
jihad is to raise the word of Allah uppermost. By doing this, it liberates and
emancipates all those who are crying out for freedom all over the world. If the
likes of the pacifists of this world had their way, then the world would indeed
be full of anarchy and mischief. The combative jihad seeks to correct this as
Allah says in the Qur'an:
"And if Allah did not check one set of people by
means of another, the Earth would be full of mischief. But Allah is full of
bounty to the worlds"
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:251)
Such would be the corruption on this Earth if there had never been a combative
jihad that Allah says:
"For had it not been that Allah checks one set of
people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques,
wherein the name of Allah is mentioned much, would surely have been pulled
down. Indeed Allah will help those who help His (cause). Truly Allah is All
strong, All mighty"
(Surah Al-Hajj 22:40)
This combative jihad being both defensive and offensive,
is something which is commanded by Allah upon the Muslims. Through this command
the oppressed and weak are rescued from the tyranny of the world:
"And what is the matter with you that you do not fight in the cause of
Allah and for those weak, ill treated and oppressed among men, women and
children whose only cry is; 'Our Lord, rescue us from this town whose people
are oppressors and raise for us from you one who will protect and raise for us
from you one who will help"
(Surah An-Nisa 4:75)
Anyone who knows the early history of Islam, will know that all those nations
and empires which came under the fold of Islam were indeed previously
oppressed. When the companions of the Prophet Muhammed (saws) went out for the
offensive jihad against the Egyptians, the Persians and the Romans, we find
that the people did not resist against them at all. Rather, they accepted Islam
on such a scale, that it is inconceivable that the jihad of Islam could be
anything other then a liberation for these people; a liberation from centuries
of tyranny. In fact, with the Byzantine Egyptians and the people of Spain, the
Muslims were even beckoned to come and liberate these lands from the oppression
of their kings. This is the glorious track record of the Muslim jihad. Compare
this with the brutal track record of warfare in the Western world over the
centuries. From the crusades against the Muslims to the days of colonial
warfare, the Western world has killed, destroyed and plundered everything which
has come in its way. Even today this merciless killing goes on by the Western
nations. While claiming to be about world peace and security, Western nations
are ready to bomb innocent civilians at the drop of a hat. The classic example
of this is the recent bombings of Sudan and Afghanistan. Whilst claiming that
Sudan and Afghanistan were havens for Islamic terrorists, the bombings of these
two nations could not have come at a better time for the American president
Bill Clinton. The destruction of innocent lives which were a result of these
bombings clearly seem to have been an attempt by Clinton to avert attention
away from his sexual misdemeanors; <4> something which he so often gets
caught up in. Without doubt this was the reason for such terror from the
American military upon innocent people. This is the same American military
which claims to enter the worlds trouble spots under the guise of being
peacekeepers. But
"… when it is said to them; 'Make not mischief on the
Earth', they say; 'We are only peace makers'. Indeed they are the ones who make
mischief, but they perceive it not"
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:11-12)
The hypocrisy of the West is indeed astounding.
By looking at the rules and regulations of this combative
jihad it will be clear to any sincere person that this is indeed the religion
of truth. When fighting an unjust enemy, no matter how unjust they are, it is
forbidden by Islam that their retreating forces are mutilated, tortured or
slaughtered. The treacherous violation of treaties and carrying out
assassinations after a cease fire, are also prohibited. Allah says in the
Qur'an:
"And fight in the way of Allah those who fight you. But do not transgress
the limits. Truly Allah loves not the transgressors"
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:190)
Not transgressing the limits means not to kill women and
children, for the Messenger of Allah (saws) "forbade the killing of women
and children" <5>. Not transgressing the limits means that the
elderly, the sick, monks, worshippers and hired labourers are not attacked. Not
transgressing the limits means not killing animals wantonly, burning crops and
vegetation, polluting waters and destroying homes, monasteries, churches and
synagogues:
"Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly
with those who fought not against you on account of religion, nor drove you out
of your homes. Indeed, Allah loves those who deal with equity"
(Surah Al-Mumtahinah 60:8)
After reading such passages from the Qur'an and knowing
about what Islam commands and prohibits in jihad, the rules of warfare are
given a new meaning; a meaning of justice. How sad it is then, that whilst
Islam is condemned for striking terror into the hearts of the people, the likes
of the Serbs, the Indian army in Kashmir and the Israeli soldiers in Palestine
are left untarnished for the atrocities they have committed in the name of
warfare.
The Media
By going through the teachings of Islam, it is clear that
such a religion has only come to benefit mankind - not to destroy it. So why is
there so much hatred for this noble religion in the West? The answer is simple,
the media. It is the Jewish influenced media of the West which has portrayed
Islam to be something that it is not. During the 70's and 80's when the PLO
(Palestine Liberation Organisation) were carrying out daring highjacks on the
worlds airways, the media in the West portrayed it as being Islamic. When the
Shi'ite suicide bombers of the 80's were causing so much havoc in the Lebanon
and in the Gulf region, the media in the West portrayed it as a part of Islam.
However, it is known by the heads of the media that the likes of the PLO were
not an Islamic organisation, and that according to Islam, Shi'ites are outside
the fold of Islam <10>. Yet such facts are never portrayed by a media
which seeks to cover the truth of this religion. A number of years ago, when
the Oklahoma City bomb went off, a headline in one of the newspapers, 'Today'
<11>, summed up this attitude. With a picture of a fire fighter holding a
dead child in his arms, the headline read: "In The Name of Islam"
Time has of course proven that this bigoted assumption was incorrect, as
Timothy McVeigh, a right wing radical now faces the death penalty for the crime
<12>. Likewise the bombs which went off in the Paris metro in 1995, were
also blamed on Muslim fanatics. It has now emerged that the Algerian secret
service who having routinely bribed many European journalists and MPs, were
actually behind it. The desire to throw a veil over Islam is immense by these
people:
"They intend to put out the light of Allah with their
mouths, but Allah will complete His light even though the disbelievers hate
(it)"
(Surah As-Saff 61:8)
Whilst trying to destroy Islam through this instrument of
the media, the Jews clearly try to portray an image of themselves as being the
oppressed people. Every year, we are reminded as to how many Jews perished
under the Nazis in World War II. We are made to feel sorry for these same
people who have gone on to commit so many crimes upon the Palestinian people.
Some may say that this is a racist and biased viewpoint. But we say; If this
media was not run and orchestrated by the Jews and was truly neutral, then why
are Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Shamir, two former Israeli prime ministers, not
held aloft as being terrorists? Anyone who knows about the history of the
Palestinian occupation will tell you that these two men were members of the
Stern Gang and Irgun, two notorious Jewish terror groups who killed many
innocent people <13>. If this media was truly impartial, then why does it
not tell about the extent of the Israeli bombardment and illegal occupation of
Southern Lebanon and its people? <14> And if this media really had
nothing against the religion of Allah, then why does it not inform the people
that every day hundreds are entering the religion of Islam? Such things will
never be highlighted in the Western media, simply because to do so would be
against their very interests.
With such immense pressure against it, it is indeed a
blessing from Allah that Islam goes from strength to strength. It continues to
grow faster then any other religion in the Western world, conquering the hearts
and minds of thousands. All this should not even surprise us though, for Allah
has promised us that this religion will prevail:
"It is He who has sent His Messenger with the
guidance and the religion of truth, so that He may make it victorious over all
other religions, even though the disbelievers detest it"
(Surah As-Saff 61:9)
It is a must that humanity comes towards the religion of
Islam. Without it, we will continue to slip down the road of inequity and
darkness. With it we can establish a society of justice and peace. Religion of
terror? ... no. The way forward? ... yes.
"There is no compulsion in religion. The right path
has indeed become distinct from the wrong. So whoever rejects false worship and
believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will
never break. And Allah is All Hearing, All Knowing"
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256)
"Fight
against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that
which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger and those who do not
acknowledge the Deen of Truth among the people of the scripture, until they pay
the Jizya with willing submission."
Just
as fasting in the month of Ramadhan, and praying the five daily prayers is
obligatory acts of worship to the Creator, Allah (swt) has also made JIHAD an
obligation upon the Muslims.
WHAT
IS JIHAD?
The
word jihad is derived from 'Juhd' which means 'To make substantial Effort'. The
scholars of Islam have agreed that Jihad means to fight in the path of Allah or
anything aiding this course. The great classical scholar Imam Abu Hanifah said
that Jihad means to be involved in fighting in the path of Allah By one's life,
wealth and speech.
THE
TYPES OF JIHAD
In
Islam there are 2 types of physical jihad.
1)
OFFENSIVE JIHAD Jihad Muabadah
This
type of jihad can only be carried out by the Islamic state. There are three
stages, which lead to jihad. Firstly, the people are invited to embrace Islam.
If they refuse to become Muslims then they are requested to become citizens of
the State (dhimmis) and are asked to pay jizya (a small tax). If even this is
refused then the state declares war upon them.
2)
DEFENSIVE JIHAD Jihad Dafah
"And
why should you not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who being weak (and
oppressed) - men, women and children, whose cry is 'Our Lord! Rescue us from
this town. Whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from You one who will
protect; and raise from us from You one who will help!"
Defensive
jihad is an obligation upon the Muslim whose life, honour and wealth are being
attacked. They are required by Allah (swt) to fight and protect these. Thus
this type can be carried out without the existence of an Islamic state.
The
foreign policy of the Islamic State is offensive jihad.
THE
PURPOSE OF JIHAD
The
purpose of offensive jihad is to remove any obstacle in the way of implementing
the laws of Islam. In other words the implementation of the Islamic law, the
Shari'ah is of utmost
Importance
to Muslims. The Shari'ah is a comprehensive system of life, covering all
aspects of life to govern mankind
by.
It is the only just way to live, as it is from the Creator Allah (swt). Whether
Muslim or non-Muslim, the state would protect the life, honour and wealth of a
person.
DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN THE FOREIGN POLICY OF THE WEST AND ISLAM
When
the Islamic army enter and fight they are not allowed to kill women, children
or the elderly. Neither are they allowed to mutilate the dead bodies, cut down
trees or burn down buildings etc. Compare this to the foreign policy of the
west that seek to destroy everything and everyone in their path to gain power.
Examples of this can be seen when the British and French colonialised the
'developing world'. Women were raped, Land and natural resources were pillaged
and plundered and the rich were made richer whereas the poor became even poorer
than before.
In
Islam, material benefit is not what motivates Muslims to carry out the command
of jihad, rather it is obeying and submitting to the Creator.
Regarding
the matter of Jihad Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an:
"Fighting
is prescribed upon you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a
thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing that is bad for you. But
Allah knoweth and ye know not" (EMQ 2:216),
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION GO TO
WWW.OBM.CLARA.NET