Difference between revisions of "Jihad"

Revision as of 13:16, August 24, 2007

Jihad is an Islamic concept meaning "to exert utmost effort, to strive, struggle"; has many meanings to the Muslim, both inward and outward; mainly used in the West to describe a "holy war" that some fundamentalist Muslims fight against non-Muslims or Muslims of other Islamic sects. The word "Jihad" is a transliteration of the Arabic word "جهاد".

Jihad as "struggle," is divided into two types, the greater Jihad and the lesser Jihad. The greater Jihad is the internal struggle against sin and temptation. The lesser Jihad is the physical war against those who threaten the Muslim way of life. Many followers of Islam do not condone the use of jihad as a manner of securing converts.

Mention of Jihad in the Qur'an

Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors. Qur'an 2:190

To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged;- and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid. Qur'an 22:39

Therefore if they withdraw from you but fight you not, and (instead) send you (Guarantees of) peace, then Allah Hath opened no way for you (to war against them). Qur'an 4:90

But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allah: for He is One that heareth and knoweth (all things). Qur'an 8:61

In the Islamic faith you have "no guarantee of Paradise even if you do good works all your life," wrote Gabriel, "It all depends on what Allah decides." There is only one way a Muslim man can guarantee he will enter Paradise: Die fighting for Islam. "If you die in jihad," wrote Gabriel, "you don't even have to go to the grave and wait for judgment; you go directly to Paradise.

A suicide bombing is really an act of homicide. When Muslims in the West pretend that Islam is against such practices by pointing to the hadith that oppose killing oneself, such as Bukhari (23:446), they are being disingenuous. Muslims in the Arab world, who are less concerned about public relations, celebrate and revere suicide bombers, knowing that martyrdom in battle is glorified by their religion.

All Muslims are to spend time in hell for their sins. After paying for their sins in this fashion for a time determined by the crime, Muslims will then be allowed into paradise.

Muhammad made an exception for prophets (ie. himself) and for anyone dying in battle for the cause of Allah's religion.

Although Muslims are to face the Last Day, where their time in hell is to be determined (with sins weighed against good deeds) Muhammad laid down an exception for martyrs - those who are slain in the cause of Allah - at a time when he conveniently needed them. They get the fast track to Paradise where they wait on the rest (Sura (3:169-170)). A martyr doesn't necessarily have to have killed anyone, but a Muslim is required to join the battle (if able) and at least make an attempt to kill (Sura (9:39).

Other uses

Alternatively, 'Jihad' is a common Indian first name, and is not restricted to use by Muslims.