Is there no such thing as a holy war or jihad?

Question

There are several variations in the meaning of jihad. This is what the Quran says:

1) "Fight in the way of God those who fight for you, but do not begin hostilities; God does not like the aggressor" (2:190)

2) "Permission to fight is given ONLY TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN OPPRESSED... who have been driven from their homes for saying, "God is our Lord" "

In the book titled, "No God But God" by Reza Aslam, he states these verses were directed specifically at the Quraysh and their clandestine partisans in Yathrib.

This is the point where the view become misconstured and makes people believe they will fight anyone until they can convince them to convert. There is no such thing as a holy war because there can be no fight in the name of God.

ALL I AM ASKING IS IF YOU AGREE? Please keep the sarcasm to a minimum. Thanks for the respect.

Answer 1

the Quran is misintepreted in many ways. this says fight if some one stops you from saying your god's name. muslims read the way they like and misuse it. this goes for all the religions, we bend the rules to fit our lifestyle. and everyone else adjusts to it

Answer 2

the prophet of Doom website is probably the best realistic study of the truth behind it all that I have ever seen. But I am pretty sure that the guy above me and myself and maybe even you will be "reported' for even having this free speech discussion. If that happens, just blow it off. It means nothing.

Answer 3

1. they believe America is the aggressor so its okay to them

2. with the Resurrection of Israel all Muslims believe it was the "Jews" and their allies so again in their heads its okay to attack Israel and its allies.

3. those who

Answer 4

Identical question, identical answer.

Quotes have a way of biting back.

There's a simple solution, folks, to whether Osama is twisting the truth or being a "good Islamic warrior".

It is important to remember that unlike Christianity and many other religions, Islam still believes that every word of their holy texts is absolutely true and must be followed. A tiny minority do not believe that.
For most other religions, it is the opposite, with the literalists being the minority.

Get a pre-911 copy of these texts and look them up in context. Putting the context here would make this a book, so that's a silly argument. I ENCOURAGE you to read the holy texts of Islam (I have, as my family escaped Islam back in the 1950s. We've been expecting this war for decades).

Here's what else Allah and Muhammed have to say about "Jihad":

Qur'an:2:216 "Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims), though you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and like a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you know not." [Another translation reads:] "Warfare is ordained for you."
Qur'an:4:95 "Not equal are those believers who sit at home and receive no injurious hurt, and those who strive hard, fighting Jihad in Allah's Cause with their wealth and lives. Allah has granted a rank higher to those who strive hard, fighting Jihad with their wealth and bodies to those who sit (at home). Unto each has Allah promised good, but He prefers Jihadists who strive hard and fight above those who sit home. He has distinguished his fighters with a huge reward."
Bukhari:V4B52N44 "A man came to Allah's Apostle and said, ‘Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad in reward.' He replied, ‘I do not find such a deed.'"
Bukhari:V1B2N25 "Allah's Apostle was asked, ‘What is the best deed?' He replied, ‘To believe in Allah and His Apostle Muhammad.' The questioner then asked, ‘What is the next best in goodness?' He replied, ‘To participate in Jihad, religious fighting in Allah's Cause.'"
Qur'an:33:22 "Among the Believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah and have gone out for Jihad (holy fighting). Some have completed their vow to extreme and have been martyred fighting and dying in His Cause, and some are waiting, prepared for death in battle."
Bukhari:V4B53N412 "Allah's Apostle said on the day of the conquest of Mecca, ‘There is no migration now, only Jihad, holy battle. And when you are called for Jihad, you should come out at once.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N311 "Allah's Apostle said, ‘There is no migration after the Conquest of Mecca, but only Jihad. When you are called by the Muslim ruler for Jihad fighting, you should go forth immediately, responding to the call.'"
Muslim:C28B20N4631 "I heard Muhammad say: ‘I would not stay behind when a raid for Jihad was being mobilized unless it was going to be too hard on the believers. I love that I should be killed in Allah's Cause; then I should be brought back to life and be killed again.'"
Qur'an:9:111 "Allah has purchased the believers, their lives and their goods. For them (in return) is the Garden (of Paradise). They fight in Allah's Cause, and they slay and are slain; they kill and are killed."
Bukhari:V4B52N196 "Allah's Apostle said, ‘I have been ordered to fight with the people till they say,"None has the right to be worshipped but Allah."'"
Qur'an:47:4 "So, when you clash with the unbelieving Infidels in battle (fighting Jihad in Allah's Cause), smite their necks until you overpower them, killing and wounding many of them. At length, when you have thoroughly subdued them, bind them firmly, making (them) captives. Thereafter either generosity or ransom (them based upon what benefits Islam) until the war lays down its burdens. Thus are you commanded by Allah to continue carrying out Jihad against the unbelieving infidels until they submit to Islam."
Qur'an:9:91 "There is no blame on those who are old, weak, ill, or who find no resources to spend (on Jihad, holy fighting), if they are sincere (in duty) to Allah and His Messenger."
Qur'an:9:122 "It is not proper for the Believers to all go forth together to fight Jihad. A troop from every expedition should remain behind when others go to war."
Bukhari:V4B52N46 "I heard Allah's Apostle saying, ‘The example of a Mujahid [Muslim fighter] in Allah's Cause - and Allah knows best who really strives in His Cause - is like a person who fasts and prays without ever stopping. Allah guarantees that He will admit the Mujahid in His Cause into Paradise if he is killed, otherwise He will return him to his home safely with rewards and war booty.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N50 "The Prophet said, ‘A single endeavor of fighting in Allah's Cause is better than the world and whatever is in it.'"
Noble Qur'an:2:190 Footnote: "Jihad is holy fighting in Allah's Cause with full force of numbers and weaponry. It is given the utmost importance in Islam and is one of its pillars. By Jihad Islam is established, Allah's Word is made superior (which means only Allah has the right to be worshiped), and Islam is propagated. By abandoning Jihad Islam is destroyed and Muslims fall into an inferior position; their honor is lost, their lands are stolen, their rule and authority vanish. Jihad is an obligatory duty in Islam on every Muslim. He who tries to escape from this duty, or does not fulfill this duty, dies as a hypocrite."
Bukhari:V4B52N65 "A man came to the Prophet and asked, ‘A man fights for war booty; another fights for fame and a third fights for showing off; which of them fights in Allah's Cause?' The Prophet said, ‘He who fights that Allah's Word, Islam, should be superior, fights in Allah's Cause.'"
Muslim:C40B20N4676 "Jihad Is Compulsory."
Bukhari:V4B52N284-5 "When the Divine Inspiration [Qur'an:surah]: ‘Those of the believers who sit at home,' was revealed, Maktum came to the Prophet while he was dictating the verse. ‘O Allah's Apostle! If I were able, I would take part in Jihad.' So Allah sent down revelation to His Apostle: ‘...except those who are disabled, blind, or lame.'"
Muslim:C40B20N4676 "Believers who sit home and those who go out for Jihad in Allah's Cause are not equal."
Bukhari:V4B52N54 "The Prophet said, ‘Were it not for the believers who do not want to be without me, I would always go forth in army-units setting out for Jihad.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N216 "Allah's Apostle said, ‘Were it not for fear it would be difficult for my followers, I would not have remained behind any army units. But I don't have riding camels and have no other means of conveyance. No doubt I wish I could fight in Allah's Cause and be martyred and come to life to be martyred again.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N231 "Allah's Apostle came to Mecca the day of the Conquest riding his she-camel on which Usama was riding behind him.?" [Muhammad was lying.]"
Bukhari:V4B52N59 "Allah's Apostle said, ‘By Him in Whose Hands my soul is! Whoever is wounded in Allah's Cause...and Allah knows well who gets wounded in His Cause...will come with his wound having the color of blood but the scent of musk.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N45 "Someone asked, ‘Allah's Apostle, who is the best among the people?' He replied, ‘A believer who strives his utmost in Allah's Cause with his life and property.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N48 "The people said, ‘Allah's Apostle! Acquaint the people with the good news.' He said, ‘Paradise has one hundred grades which Allah has reserved for the Mujahidin who fight in His Cause.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N66 "Allah's Apostle said, ‘Anyone whose feet get covered with dust in Allah's Cause will not be touched by the Hell Fire.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N137 "The Prophet said, ‘Paradise is for him who holds the reins of his horse to strive in Allah's Cause with his hair unkempt and feet covered with dust. If he is appointed in the front line, he is perfectly satisfied with his post, and if in the rear, he accepts it.'"
Bukhari:V4B51N47 "‘What causes you to smile, O Allah's Apostle?' He said, ‘Some of my followers who in a dream were presented to me as fighters in Allah's Cause on board a ship amidst the sea caused me to smile.'"
Bukhari:V4B51N72 "Our Prophet told us about the message of our Lord: ‘Whoever amongst us is killed will go to Paradise.' Umar asked the Prophet, ‘Is it true that our men who are killed will go to Paradise and the Pagan's will go to the Hell Fire?' The Prophet said, ‘Yes.'"
Bukhari:V4B51N73 "Allah's Apostle said, ‘Know that Paradise is under the shade of swords.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N80 "Muhammad said, ‘Allah welcomes two men with a smile; one of whom kills the other and both of them enter Paradise. One fights in Allah's Cause and gets killed. Later on Allah forgives the killer who also gets martyred in Allah's Cause.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N287 "The Emigrants and the Ansar said, ‘We are those who have given a pledge of allegiance to Muhammad that we will carry on Jihad as long as we live.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N94 "The Prophet said, ‘Whoever spends two things in Allah's Cause [his life and his wealth], will be called by all the gatekeepers of Paradise. They will say,"O so-and-so! Come here." Abu Bakr said, ‘O Allah's Apostle! Such persons will never be destroyed.' The Prophet said, ‘I hope you will be one of them.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N130 "Aisha said, ‘Whenever the Prophet intended to proceed on a raid he used to draw lots amongst his wives and would take the one upon whom the lot fell. Once, before setting out for Jihad, he drew lots and it fell on me; so I went with him."
Bukhari:V4B52N43 "Aisha said, ‘Apostle! We consider Jihad as the best deed. Should we not fight in Allah's Cause?' He said, ‘The best Jihad for women is the Hajj done as I have done it.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N134 "We used to take part in holy battles with the Prophet, providing his fighters with water and bringing the killed and the wounded back to Medina."
Bukhari:V4B52N175 "He heard the Prophet saying, ‘Paradise is granted to the first batch of my followers who will undertake a naval expedition.' The Prophet then said, ‘The first army amongst my followers who will invade Caesar's City will be forgiven their sins.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N178-9 "The Prophet said, ‘One of the portents of the Hour is that you will fight people wearing shoes made of hair. And you will fight the Turks, a broad-faced people with small eyes, red faces, and flat noses. Their faces will look like shields coated with leather.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N182-4 "Allah's Apostle invoked evil upon the infidels, saying, ‘O Allah! The revealer of the Holy Book, defeat these people and shake them. Fill the infidels' houses and graves with fire.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N259 "Allah's Apostle sent us on a mission as a army unit and said, ‘If you find so-and-so and so-and-so, burn both of them with fire.'"
Bukhari: V4B52N203 "I heard Allah's Apostle saying, ‘We are the last but will be the foremost to enter Paradise.' The Prophet added, ‘He who obeys me, obeys Allah, and he who disobeys me, disobeys Allah. He who obeys the chief, obeys me, and he who disobeys the chief, disobeys me. The Imam is like a shelter for whose safety the Muslims should fight.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N208 "My brother and I came to the Prophet and asked to migrate. He said, ‘Migration has passed away.' I replied, ‘For what will you accept our pledge of allegiance?') He said, ‘I will take the pledge for Islam and Jihad.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N220 "Allah's Apostle said, ‘I have been sent with the shortest expressions bearing the widest meanings, and I have been made victorious with terror. While I was sleeping, the keys of the treasures of the world were brought to me and put in my hand.' Allah's Apostle has left the world and now we are bringing out those treasures."
Bukhari:V4B52N267 "The Prophet said, ‘Khosrau will be ruined. There won't be a Persian King after him. Caesar will be ruined. There will be no Caesar after him. You will spend their treasures in Allah's Cause.' He proclaimed, ‘War is deceit.'"
Bukhari:V4B53N386 "Umar sent Muslims to great countries to fight pagans. He said, ‘I intend to invade Persia and Rome.' So, he ordered us to go to [the Persian King] Khosrau. When we reached the enemy, Khosrau's representative came out with 40,000 warriors, saying, ‘Talk to me! Who are you?' Mughira replied, ‘We are Arabs; we led a hard, miserable, disastrous life. We used to worship trees and stones. While we were in this state, our Prophet, the Messenger of our Lord, ordered us to fight you till you worship Allah Alone or pay us the Jizyah tribute tax in submission. Our Prophet has informed us that our Lord says: ‘Whoever amongst us is killed as a martyr shall go to Paradise to lead such a luxurious life as he has never seen, and whoever survives shall become your master.'"
Tabari IX:49 "Muhammad urged the Muslims by way of a meeting to help cover the expenses of Jihad in Allah's Cause. The men provided mounts in anticipation of Allah's reward."
Ishaq:602 "The Apostle always referred allusively to the destination which he intended to raid. This was the sole exception, for he said plainly that he was making for the Byzantines because the journey was long, the weather was hot, and the enemy was strong."
Ishaq:603 "The Apostle went forward energetically with his preparations and ordered the men to get ready with all speed. He urged Muslims to help provide the money, mounts, and means to do Allah's work. Those who contributed earned rewards with Allah."
Tabari IX:76 "Malik has reported to me that you were the first from Himyar to embrace Islam and that you have killed infidels, so rejoice at your good fortune."
Qur'an:047.033 "Believers, obey Allah, and obey the Messenger! Those who disbelieve and hinder men from the Cause of Allah, He will not pardon. Do not falter; become faint-hearted, or weak-kneed, crying for peace. You have the upper hand."
Muslim:C29B20N4636 "The Messenger of Allah was asked: ‘What deed could be equivalent to Jihad in the Cause of Allah? He answered: ‘You do not have the strength to do that deed.' The question was repeated twice or thrice. Every time he answered: ‘You do not have the strength to do it.' When the question was asked for the third time, he said: ‘One who goes out for Jihad is like a person who keeps fasts and stands in prayer forever, never exhibiting any weariness until the Mujihid returns from Jihad.'"
Muslim:C29B20N4638 "As I was (sitting) near the pulpit of the Messenger a man said: ‘I do not care if, after embracing Islam, I do not do any good deed (except) distributing drinking water to pilgrims.' Another said: ‘I do not care if I do not do any good deed beyond maintenance service to the Sacred Mosque.' Yet another said: ‘Jihad in the Way of Allah is better than what you have said.' When prayer was over, I entered (the apartment of the Prophet) and asked his verdict about the matter. It was upon this that Allah, the Almighty and Exalted, revealed the Qur'anic Verse: ‘Do you make the giving of drinking water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque equal to (the service of those) who believe in Allah and strive hard and fight Jihad in His Cause. They are not equal. Those who believed and fought Jihad in Allah's Cause with their wealth and their lives are far higher in degree with Allah.'"
Muslim:C30B20N4639 "The Messenger said: ‘Leaving for Jihad in the Way of Allah in the morning or in the evening will merit a reward better than the world and all that is in it.'"
Muslim:C32B20N4646 "Muhammad stood up among his Companions to deliver his sermon in which he told them that Jihad in Allah's Cause and belief in Allah were the most meritorious of acts. A man stood and said: ‘Messenger, do you think that if I am killed in the Way of Allah, my sins will be blotted out?' The Messenger said: ‘Yes, in case you are killed in Allah's Cause and you always fought facing the enemy, never turning your back upon him.' The man asked (again).' The Messenger said: ‘Yes, if you always fought facing the enemy and never retreated. Gabriel has told me this.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N104 "The Prophet said, ‘Good will remain in the foreheads of horses for Jihad for they bring about a reward in Paradise or booty.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N105 "The Prophet said, ‘If somebody keeps a horse in Allah's Cause motivated by His promise, then he will be rewarded for what the horse has eaten or drunk and for its dung and urine.'"
Ishaq:470 "We attacked them fully armed, swords in our hand, cutting through heads."
Ishaq:385 "Amr Jamuh was a very lame man. He had four lion-like sons who were present at the Apostle's battles. At Uhud he came to the Prophet and told him that his sons wanted to keep him back and prevent his joining the army. ‘Yet, by Allah, I hope to tread in the Heavenly Garden of Paradise despite my lameness. The Apostle said, ‘Allah has excused you, and Jihad is not incumbent on you.' Then Muhammad turned to his sons and said, ‘You need not prevent him. Perhaps Allah will favor him with martyrdom.' So the lame old man went into battle and was killed."
Tabari VII:144
Ishaq:426 "The Muslims bivouacked for the night and were taken by surprise. So the Muslims took up their swords [not Qur'ans] to fight them, but the Lihyans said, ‘We do not want to kill you. We only want to get some money by selling you to the Meccans. We swear by Allah's Covenant that we will not kill you.' ‘By Allah,' Asim said, ‘we will never accept a an agreement from an unbelieving infidel.' They fought until they were killed."
Bukhari:V4B52N153 "The properties of the Nadir which Allah had transferred to His Apostle as Booty were not gained by the Muslims with their horses and camels. The properties therefore, belonged especially to Allah's Apostle who used to give his family their yearly expenditure and spend what remained thereof on arms and horses to be used in Allah's Cause."
Tabari VII:162 "There is a difference of opinion as to which of his expeditions [terrorist raids] took place after the one against the Nadir. Some say Muhammad remained in Yathrib for two months before leading a raid on Najd."
Ishaq:445 "The rules of the Prayer of Fear were revealed during this raid [4:102]. The Messenger divided the Companions into two groups; one stood facing the enemy while the other stood behind the Prophet. He magnified Allah by shouting ‘Allahu Akbar.' Then he and those behind him performed a rak'ah and prostrated themselves. [Magnifying Allah is "The Prayer of Fear" - appropriate for a terrorist dogma. It is comprised of shouting: Allahu Akbar - Allah is Greatest!]"
Ishaq:455 "‘I summon you to Allah, to His Messenger, and to Islam.' Amr replied, ‘I have no use for these.' So Ali said, ‘Then I summon you to fight.' Amr replied, ‘Why, son of my brother? By Allah, I do not want to kill you.' Ali shouted, ‘But I, by Allah, want to kill you.' Amr jumped from his horse and advanced toward Ali. The two fought until Ali killed Amr. He shouted, ‘Allahu Akbar!'"
Ishaq:456 "As he returned to the Apostle smiling with joy [for having killed his uncle] Jumar asked him if he had stripped Amr of his armor. ‘No,' Ali answered. ‘I saw his private parts and was ashamed.'"
Bukhari:V4B52N68 "When Allah's Apostle returned from the battle of the Trench, he put down his arms and took a bath. Then Gabriel whose head was covered with dust, came to him saying, ‘You have put down your arms! By Allah, I have not put down my arms yet.' Allah's Apostle said, ‘Where to go now?' Gabriel said, ‘This way,' pointing towards the tribe of Qurayza. So Allah's Apostle went out towards them."
Bukhari:V4B52N280 "When the Qurayza were ready to accept Sa'd's judgment, the Apostle sent for him. Sa'd proclaimed, ‘I give the judgment that their men should be killed and their children and women should be taken as prisoners.' The Prophet remarked, ‘O Sa'd! You have judged them with the judgment of King Allah.'"
Ishaq:485 "Muhammad found that the Lihyan had been warned. They had taken secure positions on the mountaintops. After he failed to take them by surprise as he intended, he said, ‘If we go down to Usfan, the Meccans will think we have come to [terrorize] them.'"
Ishaq:486 "If the Lihyan had remained in their homes they would have met bands of fine fighters, audacious warriors who terrorize. They would have confronted an irresistible force glittering like stars. But they were weasels, sticking to the clefts of rocks instead."
Ishaq:489 "Do the bastards think that we are not their equal in fighting? We are men who believe there is no shame in killing. We don't turn from piercing lances. We smite the heads of the haughty with blows that quash the zeal of the unyielding [non-Muslims]. We're heroes, protecting our war banner. We are a noble force, as fierce as wolves. We preserve our honor and protect our property by smashing heads."
Tabari VIII:48 "Then he set out at full speed after the enemy - he was like a beast of prey."
Ishaq:490
Tabari VIII:51 "When Allah's Messenger heard about the Mustaliq gathering against him he set out and met them at one of their watering holes near the coast. The people advanced and fought fiercely. Allah caused the Mustaliq to fight and killed some of them. Allah gave the Apostle their children, women, and property as booty."
Muslim:B19N4292 "Aun inquired whether it was necessary to extend an invitation to submit to Islam before murdering infidels in the fight. Nafi told me that it was necessary in the early days of Islam. The Messenger made a raid upon Mustaliq while they were unaware and their cattle were having a drink at the water. He killed those who fought and imprisoned others. This Tradition was related by one who was among the raiding troops."
Tabari VIII:56
Ishaq:493 "According to Aisha: ‘A great number of Mustaliq were wounded. The Messenger took many captives, and they were divided among all the Muslims.'"
Muslim:C26B20N4614 "I saw Allah's Messenger twisting the forelock of a horse with his fingers as he was saying: ‘A great benefit. A reward for rearing them for Jihad. The spoils of war have been tied to the forelocks of horses.'"
Muslim:C28B20N4626 "Merit Of Jihad And Campaigning In Allah's Cause: The Apostle said: ‘Allah has undertaken to look after the affairs of one who goes out to fight in His Way believing in Him and affirming the truth of His Apostle. He is committed that He will either admit him to Paradise or bring him back to his home with a reward or his share of booty. If a person gets wounded in Allah's Cause he will arrive on the Day of Judgment with his wound in the same condition as it was when it was first inflicted; its color will be blood but its smell will be musk perfume. If it were not too hard on Muslims I would not lag behind any raid going out to fight in the Cause of Allah. But I do not have abundant means to provide them (the Mujahids [Islamic terrorists]) with riding beasts, nor have they all have the means (to provide themselves with the weapons of Jihad). I love to fight in the Way of Allah and be killed, to fight and again be killed and to fight and be killed.'"
Tabari VIII:123
Ishaq:515 "Allah's Apostle besieged the final [Jewish] community until they could hold out no longer. Finally, when they were certain that they would perish, they asked Muhammad to banish them and spare their lives, which he did. The Prophet took possession of all their property."
Bukhari:V5B59N510 "Allah's Apostle reached Khaybar at night. It was his habit that, whenever he reached an enemy at night, he would not attack them till it was morning. When morning came, the Jews came out with their spades and baskets. When they saw the Prophet, they said, ‘Muhammad! O dear God! It's Muhammad and his army!' The Prophet shouted, ‘Allahu-Akbar! Khaybar is destroyed, for whenever we approach a nation, evil will be the morning for those who have been warned.'"
Bukhari:V5B59N516 "When Allah's Apostle fought the battle of Khaybar, or when he raided any other people, we raised voices crying, ‘Allahu-Akbar! Allahu-Akbar!'"
Tabari VIII:130 "The Prophet conquered Khaybar by force after fighting. Khaybar was something that Allah gave as booty to His Messenger. He took one-fifth of it and divided the remainder among the Muslims."