Doesn't jihad really mean a struggle between good and bad WITHIN oneself? A striving for THE TRUTH?

Question

The Mahabharata in the Hindu scriptures talks of the war for truth, the war between "good" and "evil". The war is really really representative of man's quest for TRUTH, of a reality that transcends social, intellectual conditioning. It bares the real nature of realtionships, that are only to serve human needs from time to time. It is this laying bare of the harsh truth that is feared to create a confusion in the mind of the ordinary man, who believes the world he lives in and the rules he lives by are the truth, but is disillusioned. An internal war, a struggle ensues, till he realizes the truth about himself, his relationships and his beliefs about the world. It is this war that will lead him to realize the truth, the simple but harsh reality. This is the war, the war for truth, which has been so literally misinterpreted the world over as a religious war. Wake up world!

Answer 1

Jihad, sometimes spelled Jahad, Jehad, Jihaad, Jiaad, Djehad, Jawwad, or Cihad, (Arabic: جهاد‎ ǧihād) is an Islamic term, meaning to strive or struggle in the way of God, and is sometimes referred to as "the sixth pillar of Islam", although it has no official status.[1] Jihad has a wider meaning in Islamic literature. It can be striving to lead a good Muslim life, praying and fasting regularly, being an attentive spouse and parent or working hard to spread the message of Islam.[2] Jihad is also used in the meaning of struggle for or defence of Islam, the holy war. Despite the fact that Jihad is not supposed to include aggressive warfare, this has occurred, as exemplified by early extremists like Kharijites and contemporary groups like Egypt's Jihad Organization (which assassinated Anwar Al Sadat) as well as Jihad organizations in Lebanon, the Gulf states, and Indonesia.[1]

In Muhammad's time, after Itmam al-hujjah (completion of the proof, a doctrine in Islam related to prophets), polytheists of Arabia were asked for submission to Islam as a condition for exoneration and the others for jizya and submission to the political authority of the Muslims for exemption from death punishment and for military protection as the dhimmis of the Muslims.[3] Islamic scholars have different opinions on Jihad, however, there is a consensus that armed struggle against persecution and oppression will always continue

Answer 2

I don't think Muslims are the ones that need the word Jihad explaining too brother, we are well aware. But thanks for the effort anyway... Walikum Salaam. EDIT Hold on a second there... ''This is dedicated to everyone not only muslims. And you are telling me shouldn't I make the iman of the people strong? some women don't wear hijab and now I dont tell them about it? you are just saying the way like it. I want to clear out this mess of terrorrist and jihad etc and inshallah allah (swt) will guide me through it'' I did not tell you any such thing. Where did I say you '' And you are telling me shouldn't I make the iman of the people strong? ''? No where so please dont go putting words in my mouth. All I meant was perhaps another section with less Muslims would be a better place to post it as it is mostly Muslims here and we already know, I never said ''shouldnt'' anything... As for ''some women don't wear hijab and now I dont tell them about it? you are just saying the way like it.'' I have no idea what you are talking about. What am I ''just saying the way like it''? It makes no sense. Also I did thank you for your effort and recognized the time you put into it. If my saying that ''I don't think Muslims are the ones that need the word Jihad explaining too brother'' needed more explaining to you and you did not read between the lines I meant go tell it in sections with plenty of non Muslims then I am sorry it was lost on you but that does not give you the right to put your own interpretation of what I said and twist it into something that I never even romotly suggested at all. Next time please just ask me to clarify what I mean in my answer if you dont understand it. Walikum Salaam.

Answer 3

Jihad is certainly an islamic word. It's also one of the words that has several different definitions which are used by Muslims to evade issues. Definitions range from "struggle" to "submission" to "holy war". However, in all things, it's always best to use the definition that is most appropriate in describing the ACTIONS rather than evasion. The ACTIONS of jihad are hatred and violence and intolerance. So, no, I'd have to disagree with the "internal" approach you presented.

Answer 4

Since Religion is the way we behave or conduct ourselves and we are challenged by the questions of right and wrong in our waking and sometimes sleeping moments, it stands to reason that a Holy War or Jihad within the self is everpresent, for those aware enough to understand.

Self deception is possible not only for individuals, but also for families, communities, societies, and even nations. "He who is without sin, cast the first stone," and "Forgive them Father they know not what they do," often fall on deaf ears and the most unforgiving hearts.

What is Truth? The Truth is that we Humans are for the most part, despite our ingenuity and cleverness, are emotionally immature. Too many of our kind have little or no racial awareness of the gift of being Human and the responsibility that is incumbant with being a member of that race called Human.

With the posibble excepton of the wolverine,I know of no other creature that kills without reason. I know of no creature that kills or harms en masse'.

We are to kill the evil inclination within us all, by converting it to doing the good deeds that truly define us as Human.

Answer 5

you are right saying that Jihad is a struggle between good and bad within. not outside and in the physical, it's in the spirit.

Answer 6

When you talk about wisdom, dont talk about war and crime islam did and doing. That does balance but its meaning less to compare.

Answer 7

Jihad isn't hindu... It's Islamic... and it means Holy War... And they want to kill the big satan and little satan... Jews are the Little Satans and Christians are the Big Satan...

Answer 8

Maybe that'swhat its SUPPOSED to mean, but Islam is SUPPOSED to be a religion of peace, and it isn't

Answer 9

does it matter - really? you're not going to get religious wackjobs to stop fighting

Answer 10

party pooper. what you're talking about would entail doing some real work.