What is JIHAAD ? . One of the greatest misconceptions about Islam, not only amongst the non-Muslims but even amongst the Muslims, is that concerning the concept of Jihad. Non-Muslims as well as Muslims think that any war fought by any Muslim for whatever purpose, be it good or bad, is Jihad. ‘Jihad’ is an Arabic word derived from‘Jahada’, which means to strive or to struggle. For example. if a student strives to pass inthe examination he is doing jihad. In the Islamic context, ‘Jihad’ means to strive against one’s own evil inclination. It also means to strive to make the society better. It also includes the right to fight in self-defence or to fight in the battlefield against oppression and against aggression. 1. Jihad is not holy war Not only non-Muslim scholars, but even some Muslim scholars mistranslate the word ‘Jihad’ as holy war. The Arabic word for ‘holy war’ is‘harabum muqaddasah’ and this word is not to be found anywhere in the Qur’an nor in any authentic hadith. The word ‘holy war’ was first used to describe the crusades of the Christians who killed thousands of people in the name of Christianity. Today, this term ‘holy war’is used to falsely describe Jihad, which merely means ‘to strive’. In an Islamic context, Jihad means ‘to strive in the way of Allah for a righteous cause’. i.e. Jihad fi Sabilillah. 2. Only one of the several forms of Jihad is fighting There are different types of Jihad i.e.,striving. One of the types is striving is fighting in the battlefield against oppression and tyranny. Many critics of Islam including ARUN SHOURIE ( former central minister of NDA government ) quote Surah Al-Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 “… Fight and slay the Mushrik/Kafir (Hindu*)wherever you find them…” (Al Qur’an 9:5) *Kafir’ means one who rejects. ‘Kafir’ is derived from the word ‘kufr’, which means to conceal orto reject. In Islamic terminology, ‘Kafir’ means one who conceals or rejects the truth of Islam and a person who rejects Islam is in English called a ‘non-Muslim’. Here in this verse the word hindu is used by his ( arun shourie ) own understanding . If you read the Qur’an, this verse exists but it is quoted out of context by Arun Shourie. The first few verses of Surah Taubah before verse 5 speak about the peace treaty between the Muslims and Muskhriks (polytheists) of Makkah. This peace treatywas unilaterally broken by the Mushriks of Makkah. In verse no. 5 Allah (swt) gives them an ultimatum to put things straight in four months’ time, or else face a declaration of war. It is forthe battlefield that Allah says “fight and slay the Mushriks (i.e. the enemies from Makkah) wherever you find them and seize them, beleaguerthem, and lie in wait for them in every stratagemof war”. This verse is revealed and instructs the Muslims to fight in the battlefieldand kill the enemy wherever you findthem. But natural, any army general to boost up the morale of thesoldiers and to encourage them will say “Don’t get scared, fight and kill theenemies, wherever you find them in the battlefield. Arun Shourie in his book ‘The World of Fatwas’after quoting Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 jumps to verse 7. Any logical aperson will realize that verse 6 has the reply to hisallegation. Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 says : “If any amongst the Mushriks (i.e. the enemies) ask thee for asylum,grant it to him so that he may hear the word of Allah and then escort him to where he can be secure”. (Al Qur’an 9:6) Today the most merciful army general may tell his soldiers to let the enemy go, but Almighty Allah in the Qur’an says if the enemy wants peace do not just let them go but escort them to a place of security.Which army general in today’s day and age, or rather in the whole of recorded human history is ever known to have given such merciful instructions? This is exactly what Allah (swt) says in the Glorious Qur’an to promote peace in the world.. Now will someone ask Mr. Arun Shourie why did he deliberately not quote verse 6 ?? N why did hequote many other verses out of context.. . Does Islam promote violence? Afew selected verses from the Qur’an are often misquoted to perpetuate the myth that Islam promotes violence, and exhortsits followers to kill those outside the pale of Islam. Islam means peace acquired through submittingwill to God. If you really want to know about Islam, read and understand the holy Quran and sayings of Prophet ( authentic hadith ),and dont look at muslimsonly..
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 08:36:08 +0000
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