OK my fellow friends explain the JIHAD?

Question

Is it the countinuation of the crusades or what?

Definf it and what it means to you?

Answer 1

moslem excuse to wage war, to validate their eagerness to kill, to cut off the head of the infidels, to prove that their sin of killing others are right, to murder rape pillage and plunder, the best way to brainwash some stupid weak minded moslems to strap bombs on themselves and blow up in the public to kill innocent people, also to brainwash the stupid moslems to crash planes and drive bomb laden cars, motorcycles, trucks and even donkeys.
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Answer 2

It is an Arabic word the root of which is Jahada, which means to strive for a better way of life. The nouns are Juhd, Mujahid, Jihad, and Ijtihad. The other meanings are: endeavor, strain, exertion, effort, diligence, fighting to defend one's life, land, and religion.

Jihad should not be confused with Holy War; the latter does not exist in Islam nor will Islam allow its followers to be involved in a Holy War. The latter refers to the Holy War of the Crusaders.

Jihad is not a war to force the faith on others, as many people think of it. It should never be interpreted as a way of compulsion of the belief on others, since there is an explicit verse in the Qur'an that says:"There is no compulsion in religion" Al-Qur'an: Al-Baqarah (2:256).

Jihad is not a defensive war only, but a war against any unjust regime. If such a regime exists, a war is to be waged against the leaders, but not against the people of that country. People should be freed from the unjust regimes and influences so that they can freely choose to believe in Allah.

Not only in peace but also in war Islam prohibits terrorism, kidnapping, and hijacking, when carried against civilians. Whoever commits such violations is considered a murderer in Islam, and is to be punished by the Islamic state. during wars, Islam prohibits Muslim soldiers from harming civilians, women, children, elderly, and the religious men like priests and rabies. It also prohibits cutting down trees and destroying civilian constructions.

Answer 3

Well I guess someone should give the actual definition of the word before this thread becomes another hatemonger convention.

Jihad = Struggle

There are two tiers of "struggle" the greater and the lesser.

The "greater" struggle (wait for it) is that against oneself. Meaning the choice between doing the right thing and not. I'm sure most of you would agree its not always easy to walk the straight and narrow. My present jihad is against laziness in order to apply to grad school.

The "lesser" struggle (the one most of you have heard as the only definition of the word) is that against oppression, mainly religious. However, a muslim is also allowed to fight to protect his family, possessions and country. This not unreasonable is it?

In case you didn't notice, the "lesser struggle" is only a defensive
action not a "preemptive" one although there are those who would try to use it as such.

Jihad does not equal Crusade.

Now aren't you happy you learned something new :)

Answer 4

You know the phrase: anything can be put on paper? I think that the explanations and the theory of Jihad are excellent, but it is at the end the practice what should count. No offense meant.

Answer 5

Jihad is not what people think it is. Jihad is first faught in your heat from Satan. Then it is faught on this earth against those who apose Gods laws. I have provided you with some links that will explain jihad. The information is to long to post here.

Answer 6

Jihad, mental illness brought on by inferiority complexes and sexual repression in a society that needs to blame other societies for it's own shortcomings.

Answer 7

Jihad - cut the infidel’s head off? Is that what it means?

Answer 8

The jihad is the islams trying to destroy the nonislams. It is a matter of "destroy them, so there will be only islams"

Answer 9

Selections Chapter Three regardin JIHAD
(1) Was Islam spread by the sword?
1. There is a fundamental rule stated in the Qur'an, namely the right to choose one's religion: "Let there be no compulsion in religion". [2/256]. Accordingly, Islam emphasized that a person's belief in Islam or his rejecting to believe in it is a matter that depends upon man's free will and his sincere conviction. This is stated in the following Qur'anic verse: "Let him who will, believe, and let him who will, reject (it)". [18/129] God, in the verses of the Qur'an, drew the Prophet's attention to this fact and emphasized that he was only a messenger whose duty was only to convey the Divine Message and that he had no authority to force people into conforming to Islam. This is clearly expressed in the following Qur'anic verses: "Will you then compel mankind, against their will, to believe?" [10/99] "You are not one to manage (men's) affairs". [88/10] "If then they turn away, We have not sent you as a guard over them. Your duty is but to convey (The Message)". [42/48] The aforementioned verses make it quite clear that the Holy Book of the Muslims definitely prohibits forcing anyone to follow the faith of Islam.
2. Islam has defined the course that Muslims must follow when inviting people to believe in the faith of Islam and the manner in which the faith should be spread
everywhere. The manner in which Muslims should invite people to
embrace Islam is stated in the following Qur'anic verses: "Invite (all) to the Way of your God with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are
best and most gracious" [16/125] and "Speak fair to the people". [2/83].
The Qur'an contains no less than one hundred and twenty verses which emphasize that the basic rule to be followed, when Muslims invite people to believe in Islam
is to convince them calmly and graciously and then to leave them to decide for themselves whether to accept or reject the faith. After the conquest of Mecca, the Prophet
addressed its people saying: "You are free now", and he did not force them to adopt Islam inspite of his decisive victory(1 Al-Ghazali, Muhammad: One Hundred Questions about Islam.
Thabet's Publishing House. Vol. 1,pp. 118 and 129.)
3. The Muslims never forced a Jew or a Christian to adopt Islam, and 'Omar Ibn Al-Khattab, the second caliph, assured the people of Jerusalem that their lives, their
churches and their crosses would not be harmed on account of his faith. The Prophet recorded in his first constitution for Al-Madina, after having emigrated from
Mecca, that the Jews were a nation living with the Muslims and that he acknowledged their right to believe in their faith.
4. In her book Allah is Completely Different, the German orientalist, Sigrid Hunke(1 Hunke, Sigrid: Allah ist ganz anders. Horizont Verlag, p. 42, f.) refutes the accusation that Islam was spread by the sword. She wrote: "The tolerance of the Arabs played an important role in the spreading of Islam, contrary to what has been falsely
claimed that it was spread by fire and the sword, which is an unjust and unverified accusation against Islam". She also wrote: “Christians, Jews, Sabians and pagans
embraced Islam of their own free will”. It is a well-known fact that Muslim armies never
invaded South Asia or West Africa, yet Islam spread and flourished in these countries after Muslim merchants travelled with their merchandise to these countries.
Muslim Sufis with their peaceful attitude also impressed the inhabitants of these lands. The natives of these distant countries saw for themselves the conduct, morals, and
dealings of the Muslims, and accordingly, embraced Islam of their own free will(Hunke, Sigrid, Allah ist ganz anders. pp. 85-90.).
What is the truth regarding Muslim wars (Jihad)?
1. The Western World has misinterpreted Muslim fighting against aggression as being a Holy War. The truth is that Islam does not acknowledge the term "Holy War".
Islam regards wars as being either unjust or just. The word "Jihad" is derived from the word "Juhd" which means exerting one's utmost efforts, which are divided into two
forms, the first is the effort made by one's soul and the second is the effort made in fighting a just and righteous war. The first strenuous effort that is made is titled the
Greater Jihad by which one endeavours to repel all evil, temptation, and to purify one's soul from vice, especially the vice of jealousy, envy, and hatred, thereby deserving
to be brought into the grace of God. The other form of Jihad is known as the Lesser Jihad, and it means fighting a just and righteous war.
2. A righteous, just war according to the laws of Islam is a war of defence, the aim of which is to repel the enemy's attack or assault, and the following Qur'anic verses permit Muslims to fight the enemy who attacks them: "To those against whom war is made, ermission is given (to fight), because they are wronged". [22/39] Also: "Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits, for God does not love transgressors". [2/190] This Qur'anic verse proves that despite the permission to fight in self-defence, the Muslim were warned not to go beyond defending themselves to the xtent of transgression. The following Qur'anic verse permits the Muslims to attack those who attack them: "If then anyone transgresses the prohibition against you transgress ikewise against him", [2/194].
Islam's extreme aversion to fighting and bloodshed is obvious, and fighting in self- efence is the exception that is permitted. "Fighting is prescribed for you, and you dislike it" [2/216]. Thus beginning an attack on others is not permitted in Islam.
3. Although Jihad means fighting in defence of the Faith and the Muslims, this Jihad is not limited to fighting in a battle. It includes Jihad with one's wealth, one's thought, or other means which help to repel any attack or assault, in order to protect the Islamic community and its faith. Such a principle is the legitimate right of every nation
and has been sanctioned by international agreements in modern times.
4. If the Muslims learn that their enemy desires peace and is willing to cease all forms of aggression, Islam commands the Muslims to agree to their enemy's request. This is stated in the following Qur'anic verse: "But if the enemy incline towards peace, you (also) incline towards peace and trust in God". [8/61]) Furthermore, Islam calls for peaceful coexistence with others and establishing good will with them provided that they do not attack the Muslims. The Qur'anic verses urge the Muslims to treat these people fairly, justly, and benevolently: "God forbids you not in regard to those who do not fight you for (your) Faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for God loves those who are just". [60/8] Thus the aim of Islam is to spread and establish peace and tolerance among people and to urge them to cooperate with each other for the welfare of mankind.
Therefore, the allegations you find in some international mass media that Islam is a religion which preaches aggression, extremism, fanaticism, and terrorism are completely unjustified accusations, which have absolutely no foundation in Islam. Islam is, on the contrary, a religion of mercy and justice. We shall explain this in greater detail in our following expositions.
(5) What are Islam's rulings regarding fanaticism and terrorism?
1. Islam is against any form of bigotry and accordingly does not urge its followers to dogmatism. Furthermore, there is no evidence of any kind in the sources of Islam, namely the Qur'an and the Traditions of the Prophet, to that effect. The call to embrace Islam as stated in the Qur'an is based on a wise and eloquent invitation, and such conduct can never be considered a manifestation of bigotry: "Invite all to the Way of Your God with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious". [16/125] The Prophet himself said to the pagans of Mecca who refused to believe in the faith of Islam: "To you be your faith and to me my faith". [109/6].
2. As regards the divine religions which were revealed before Islam, Muslims are instructed to believe in the prophets that preceded Muhammad, and this belief in them
is an essential element in the faith of Islam. This is stated in the following Qur'anic verse: "Say: We believe in God and in the revelation given to us, and to Ibrahim, Isma’il, Ishaq, Ya'qoub, and the Tribes and that given to Moses and that given to (all) Prophets from their God; we make no difference between one and another of them and we bow to God in Islam". [2/136] This verse states that there is to be no discrimination between any prophets and this tolerance has no parallel in any other religion. How can such a religion be accused of bigotry and fanaticism?
3. Islam calls upon all people to become united and to live together in friendship and affection despite the differences between them: "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other" [49/13]. Similarly, Islam invites its followers in explicit terms to live in peace with Non-Muslims as is clear from the following Qur'anic verse: "God forbids you not in regard to those who do not fight you for (your) Faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for God loves those who are just". [60/8].
4. Islam urges Muslims to forgive and pardon those who wrong them: "And the remission is the nearest to righteousness". [2/237] Furthermore, Islam urges Muslims to meet any wrong with kindness in the hope that an enemy may become a friend: "Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will he between whom and you was hatred, become as if he were your friend and intimate!" [41/34].
5. The Prophet said in one of his Sayings: Announce good news and glad tidings and do not repel or alienate people". This is clearly a call to reject bigotry, which breeds hatred, whereas the announcement of good news and glad tidings is a sign of tolerance and leniency. Since Islam condemns fanaticism and extremism it consequently condemns terrorizing and killing people. In fact Islam considers an attack on one single person an attack on all mankind: "If anyone slew a person- unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land- it would be as if he slew the whole people". [5/32].
6. Accordingly, accusing Islam of terrorism is an absolutely unfounded allegation. If some Muslims are fanatics or even terrorists that does not mean that Islam should be held responsible for their actions. It is essential to differentiate between the tolerant teachings and just principles of Islam and the irresponsible and bigoted behaviour of some Muslims. We must all keep in mind that bigotry and fanatacism are not limited to the followers of any one religion and that terrorism has become an international phenomenon and problem, and this is a fact which is witnessed by our contemporary world. How then
can the faith of Islam be blamed for the universal phenomenon of terrorism, which exists among the followers of all faiths and ideologies?
(6) Does Islam encourage extremism and violence?
1. Islam is a faith of mercy and tolerance that advocates justice and peace. Islam also preserves and safeguards man's freedom, honour, and dignity. These are not slogans but are the principles upon which Islam is founded. God Almighty sent His Prophet Muhammad: "As a Mercy for all creatures". [21/107] The Prophet Muhammad also said:
"I have been sent to fulfil the perfection of high moral qualities". Islam grants man the freedom of choice, even in matters of choosing to believe in God or refusing to do so: "Let him who will, believe, and let him who will reject (it)". [18/29].
The invitation to embrace Islam is based upon convincing people by preaching graciously to them and by amicable discussions and not by any form of force or compulsion. The Faith of Islam commands Muslims to be just and liberal and prohibits injustice, tyranny, corruption, and evil deeds, and it advocates repelling evil with goodness: "Repel (Evil) with what is better". [41/34]. When the Prophet Muhammad triumphed over the people of Mecca, he pardoned them, in spite of their previous injustice and persecution of him and his companions, saying: "You are all absolutely free".
2. There is a definite compatibility between the faith of Islam and peace. In Arabic the two words "Islam" and "salaam", the latter being the Arabic word for peace, are derived from the same root. God Almighty describes himself in the Qur'an as "peace". The Muslim greeting is also a greeting of peace, which is a continual reminder that peace is one of Islam's principal aims that should always be kept in mind. Every Muslim concludes his prayers five times a day with the greetings of peace to half of the world on his right and then repeats it to the other half of the world on his left.
3. It is obvious from the aforementioned facts that Islam is a peace-loving faith, and accordingly there is no possibility of its advocating violence, fanaticism, bigotry, terrorism or any form of assault on people and their property. Islamic rulings and principles aim at safeguarding the human rights, which include man’s right to life, family, beliefs, thought, and property. The faith of Islam prohibits any form of assault on others, so much so that Islam declares that attacking one individual of the human race is considered an attack on all mankind, and this is expressed in the following Qur'anic verse: "If anyone slew a person- unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land -it would be as if he slew the whole people; and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people". [5/34] Thus every individual represents humanity, and Islam's concern for the safeguarding and preservation of humanity is manifested in every human being's respect for other human beings by respecting their freedom, their dignity and all their human rights. One of the Sayings of the Prophet states that every Muslim is forbidden to shed the blood, steal the wealth, or disgrace the honour of any Muslim. Another Saying of the Prophet states that whoever terrorizes a believer in God will not be delivered from the Terror of the Day of Judgement. The faith of Islam also calls for peaceful coexistence among nations and commands Muslims to treat Non-Muslims justly and fairly as is stated in the following Qur'anic verse: "God forbids you not in regard to those who do not fight you for (your) Faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them, for God loves those who are just". [60/8].
4. The responsibility of preserving the safety of the members of any community must be shared by everyone in the community. Shouldering this responsibility together is the only way to ensure security and stability in face of the danger of corruption and depravity. Another of the Sayings of the Prophet compares us all to a group of people who drew lots to see where they would be seated aboard a ship. The result was that some of them stayed on deck while others went down inside the ship. When the people inside the ship wanted water to drink, they went up to the people on deck and told them that they could get water to drink by making a hole in the bottom of the ship, which was their own part of the ship. If the people on deck allowed them to do that, they would all perish, but if they prevent them, they would all be delivered from drowning.