What do you know about jihad???

Question

I would like to clarify misconceptions surrounding this concept.
First let us look at what Muslims say:

Personal Jihad: The most excellent jihad is that of the soul....

Verbal Jihad: On another occasion, the Prophet said, "The most excellent jihad is the speaking of truth in the face of a tyrant." He encouraged raising one's voice in the name of Allah on behalf of justice.

Physical Jihad: This is combat waged in defense of Muslims against oppression and transgression by the enemies of Allah, Islam and Muslims. We are commanded by Allah to lead peaceful lives and not transgress against anyone, but also to defend ourselves against oppression by "fighting against those who fight against us." This "jihad with the hand" is the aspect of jihad that has been so profoundly misunderstood in today's world.
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/87/story_8753_1.html

Now, would you rather listen to peaceful Muslims or...

terrorists?

Why would listen and believe this people?

For years Islamic terrorists have justified their actions as being compelled by their faith. Osama Bin Laden reportedly thanked Allah when he heard the news of this week's attack.

Why would rather believe the words of people willing to kill you than people who are with you?

Peaceful Muslims are telling you that we aren't supposed to kill innocent people. Yet, you don't listen.

Please believe us that terrorists are not Muslims.
They have twisted and distorted Islam.

why would *you* listen...

I am a Muslim and I condemn terrorism and killing, because it's against my religion and morals.

Allah is not pleased when he hears news of people being killed.
It's a sin to kill people.

Peace be with you.

((((hugs))))

Answer 1

You are awesome. Keep saying these things. Make liars out of all the Muslim haters that claim all of you are terrorists. Make fools out of the liars that say none of you condemn the terrorist heretics. wage peace. Kind words are more powerful than bombs, especially if they can keep the bombs from being built.

Answer 2

I know all about jihad.

I don't like Islam and that has nothing to do with the conduct of Muslims. It is Islam itself that I find objectionable.

What amazing solipsism you display by assuming that anyone who disagrees with your religion must be misinformed.

Answer 3

"fighting against those who fight against us"

sounds an awful lot like war to me...does that still hold true when Muslims are the ones who initiate the fighting?

Answer 4

Yes I did know all that, it really rather depends on what you define as 'attacking Islam and/or Muslims'.

Answer 5

Personal Jihad is the strongest jihad of all since it asks all your devotion to God and be the best human you can possibly be.
:)

Answer 6

Here we go again....

Your vitriole is very incriminating. Terrorist can bend these very words to justify their acts, as well.

This is becomming too easy. I need a new hobby.

Answer 7

Jihad, often mistranslated as ‘Holy War’ (a popular phrase from the Crusades), actually means: to strive and endeavour in Allaah’s cause. Hence, jihad can be expressed in a purely peaceful way. The Prophet Muhammad had said that:
“The best jihad is by one who strives against (the evil of) his own self for Allaah, the Might and Majestic.’ (at-Tabarani)
Allaah has said:

“So obey no the disbelievers, but make a great jihad against them (by preaching) with this (Qur’aan). (Qur’aan 25:52)

Likewise, when it becomes necessary to physically fight evil, jihad takes on a martial dimension, the so-called ‘jihad of the sword.’ The Prophet and his followers, like many Israelite Prophets before them, fought wars in self-defence and in order to abolish idolatry, tyranny and oppression. Allaah says:

“And what is wrong with you that you do not fight in the cause of Allaah 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 on who will protect, and raise for us from You one who will help!” (Qur’aan 4:75)

Bearing in mind the restless, violent persecution that was inflicted upon Prophet Muhammad and his followers whilst in Makkah (Mecca), it is not difficult to see why God would order their new community in Medinah to prepare and ready themselves to face off the clear and present danger to their fledging Islamic state.

“And make ready against them all you can of (military) power, including steeds of war, to terrify the enemy of Allaah and your enemy and others besides whom you may not know, but whom Allaah does know. And whatever you shall spend in Allaah’s cause shall be repaid to you, and you shall not be treated unjustly. But if they incline towards peace, you too incline to it. And trust in Allaah,. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” (Qur’aan 8:61-62)

This right, to possess the means to defend against and ward off any known or unknown external threat, is one which every nation in every age reserves for itself. Even so, regardless of how cruel the enemy, Islaam insists upon a measure response which avoids excessive or unrestrained acts of vengeance.

“And if you punish (your oppressors), then punish them with the like of that which you were afflicted. But if you endure patiently, verily, it is better for the patient ones” (Qur’aan 16:126)

The Prophet Muhammad also forbade behaving treacherously with one’s enemies and the violation of treaties and ceasefires. Hence, the combative jihad of the sword is like a surgical operation: it does not exceed the area of infection.

“And fight in Allaah’s Cause those who fight you, but do not transgress the limits (set by Allaah). Truly, Allaah loves not the transgressors” (Qur’aan 2:190)

Even during open war, the Believers are ordered with compassion and to continue the greater jihad of calling to the Truth:

“And if any of the pagan (enemy) seeks your protection then grant it – in order that he may hear the Word of Allaah – and escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men who know not.” (Qur’aan 9:6)

As for non-combatants or civilians, we read:

“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. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equality.” (Qur’aan 60:8)

The Prophet expressly forbade Muslim armies from attacking women and children, the sick and elderly, monks and hired labourers. He also outlawed the wanton killing of animals, the burning of crops and vegetation, the polluting the waters and the destruction of homes and places of sanctuary.

“For were it not that Allaah checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues and masjid wherein the Name of Allaah is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down.” (Qur’aan 22:40)

Once, when news reached the Prophet that child had been killed in a battle, he exclaimed: ‘What is with some people that the killing today caused them to go so far as to kill children?!’ Someone answered: ‘O Messenger of Allaah! They are but children of polytheist!’ The Prophet replied: ‘Nay! Verily, the best of you are children of polytheist. Do not kill children! (I say again) do not kill children! For every soul is born upon a natural (Islamic) deposition (innocent, monotheistic and good) – until its tongue speaks on its behalf…’ (Ahmad). Also, when the Prophet once passed a fallen idolatress, he denounced her killing, insisting that the woman was not one against whom war was to be fought.

In fact, there exists in Islam a great library of texts clearly forbidding murder whilst extolling the sanctity of human life, ‘life, which Allaah has made sacred’ (Qur’aan 6:151); from the Prophet Muhammad’s dire warning that :’There first cases to be adjudicated against on the Day of Judgement will be those of bloodshed.’ (Bukhari), to his strikingly stark threat that: ‘Whosoever kills one (non-muslim) under contract (of Muslim protection) will never smell the scent of Paradise.’ (Ibn Majah)

“We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation for murder or for villainy in the land, it would be as if they the whole of humanity. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if they saved the whole of humanity.” (Qur’aan 5:32)

As for suicide bombing, it is forbidden on a number of levels. Firstly, on the crime of suicide itself, the Prophet once warned: Indeed, whoever kills himself will certainly be punished in Hellfire, where he shall dwell in forever.’ (Bukhari & Muslim)

“And do not kill yourselves. Surely Allaah is Most Merciful unto you.” (Qur’aan 4:29)
Suicide attacks also contravene the Islamic principle which states: that which is built upon falsehood itself is falsehood. In other words, the ends cannot justify the means if those means (e.g. self-destruction) are themselves anti-Islamic. Furthermore, suicide attacks almost always result in collective punishments for the wider civilian populous, contravening yet another Islamic principle: fighting evil itself becomes evil if, as a consequence, it leads to more harm.

“And beware the affliction which affects not in particular those of you who do wrong (but may harm innocents as well): And know that Allaah is strict in punishment. (Qur’aan 8:25)

Another headline-grabbing tactic that is unsanctioned by the religion of Islam is the killing of civilian hostages. This is decidedly illegal as it is simultaneously murder, a targeting of non-combatants and a misplacement of responsibility.

“And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another (each carry their sins alone) (Qur’aan 6:164)

If we define terrorism to be misdeeds of inexcusable and unjustifiable aggression perpetrated against civilians and their interest, then terrorism is no less than an act of war against the Creator, Allaah, and His Final Messenger, Muhammad. And there is a severe punishment to fir such a crime:

“The recompense of those wage war against Allaah and His Messenger and hasten about the earth to make mischief therein is this: they shall be slaughtered, or crucified, or their hands and feel shall be struck off, or they shall be banished from the land. That is their disgrace in this word; and in the Hereafter, theirs is a heavy punishment. (Qur’aan 5:33)

And so, the very notion of ‘Islamic Terrorism’ is exploded as an oxymoron, a clear contradiction in terms. Terrorising defenceless and non-threatening civilian populations, destroying their homes, killing, maiming and taking hostage their peaceful men, women and children, are all criminally sinful and evil acts according to the divine law of Islam.

The phenomenal global growth of Islam is a cause of great concern for many in the West. Steadfast adherence to Islam is readily equated with backwardness and bigotry. Devout Muslims who piously observe their religion are often mocked for being ‘fundamentalist’, banned together with genuine extremists, and frequently suspected of supporting terrorism – even though terrorism as a whole is carried out against Muslims and not by them.

As a matter of fact, under the pretext of coating ‘Islamic Terrorism’ despotic powers will readily employ increasingly cruel terroristic methods to the mercilessly silence cries for freedom, justice and other basic human rights. And as for jihad , its very mention strikes fear and despite in many hearts and minds. Yet, despite its negative press, Islam continues to grow faster than any other way of life through entirely peaceful conversations. So, is the Islamophobia really justified? What is jihad? And what does Islam really say about Terrorism?