Think Jihad and the images of bearded men holding guns and grenades with fanatical rage in their eyes come to mind. So ingrained is the fear of the word!
The word “Jihad” is potentially the most misinterpreted and misunderstood word in the world today. While in the Arab world and Muslim societies, Jihad holds a different meaning altogether; certain political groups and vested interests use the term to push their own blood-ridden agenda.
Religious extremists selectively misinterpret the verses of the Holy Quran based on what suits them and distort the true meaning of Jihad in order to justify mindless violence. The West typically interprets the word Jihad as a carte blanche for violence.
No wonder, majority of people and some misguided Muslims equate Jihad with the holy war. Many terrorist outfits brand themselves as the defenders of the faith and terrorists deliberately use the word Jihad to justify numerous heinous crimes and bloodletting.
Violence in the name of Jihad
The recent assassination of Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari and the abduction and merciless killing of Indian Army rifleman Aurangzeb by militants are some of the abominable crimes committed in the name of Jihad and Islam.
What Jihad actually is:
The word Jihad comes from the Arabic jahada, which is translated as "struggle," "effort," or "striving." It implies any kind of struggle which has got spiritual significance. Pursuit of education, controlling one's temper, earning a living, quitting smoking and fighting your ego can be termed as Jihad. The word Jihad has various connotations, considering that struggle can occur on different levels.
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| Jihad is an internal struggle for self-restraint! |
Mention of Jihad in the Holy Quran
The Holy Quran mentions Jihad in 35 verses. Out of which, 31 verses make no (direct or indirect) reference to fighting in any context. The remaining four verses instruct Muslims to take up arms only to defend themselves against an oppressor.
Separating the Myth from Truth - On Terrorism and Violence
The Holy Quran says, "Fight in the cause of Allah (SWT) those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah (SWT) loves not transgressors." ~ Surat al-Baqarah 2:190
What needs to be noted here is that this verse in the Holy Quran was revealed around 606 C.E., when the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his companions were being attacked by the hostile Non-Muslim tribes in the city of Medina. This verse of the Holy Quran only asks the believers to engage in defensive war which was inevitable during those hostile times.
Scholar and British author Karen Armstrong in her book, Muhammad – A Biography of the Prophet, states that “We often imagine Muhammad as a warlord, brandishing his sword in order to impose Islam on a reluctant world by force of arms. The reality was quite different. Muhammad and the first Muslims were fighting for their lives.”
She further writes, "Fighting and warfare might sometimes be necessary, but it was only a minor part of the whole Jihad or struggle.”
There is a parable that states that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) reportedly told his companions after they returned from a military campaign that, “You have returned from the lesser Jihad to the greater Jihad.”
They inquired: "What is the greater Jihad?"
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) replied, “A person’s Jihad is to conquer the forces of evil in oneself.”
(al-Khatib al-Baghdadi)
(al-Khatib al-Baghdadi)
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| “A person’s Jihad is to conquer the forces of evil in oneself.” |
Misguided Muslims who are spurred to a wrongful Jihad in the name of Islam need to understand that the Holy Quran doesn't condone terrorism at all.
“Whoever kills a person [innocent person]…it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.” ~ Holy Quran, 5:32
Jihad is an internal struggle for self-restraint. It is striving in the path of Allah (SWT).
Don’t get misled or fooled by misinterpretations!
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