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WHAT IS
JIHAD - JIHAD EXPLAINED
The Institute of Islamic Information & Education
Brochure No. 18
Written by M. Amir Ali, Ph.D.
In the linguistic sense, the Arabic word "jihad"
means struggling or striving and applies to any effort exerted by
anyone. In this sense, a student struggles and strives to get an
education and pass course work; an employee strives to fulfill his/her
job and maintain good relations with his/her employer; a politician
strives to maintain or increase his(1)
popularity with his constituents and so on. The term strive or
struggle may be used for/by Muslims as well as non-Muslims; for
example, Allah, the One and Only True God says in the Qur'an:
"We have enjoined on people kindness to parents; but if they
strive (Jahadaka) to make you ascribe partners with Me that of which
you have no knowledge, then obey them not..."
(The Holy Quran, 29:8; also see 31:15)
In the above two verses of the Qur'an , it is
non-Muslim parents who strive (jahadaka) to convert their
Muslim child back to their religion. In the West, "jihad" is
generally translated as "holy war," a usage the media has popularized.
According to Islamic teachings, it is unholy to instigate or
start war; however, some wars are inevitable and justifiable.
If we translate the words "holy war" back into Arabic,
we find "harbun muqaddasatu," or for "the holy war,"
"al-harbu al-muqaddasatu." We challenge any researcher or scholar
to find the meaning of "jihad" as holy war in the Qur'an or
authentic Hadith collections or in early Islamic literature.
Unfortunately, some Muslim writers and translators of the Qur'an, the
Hadith and other Islamic literature translate the term "jihad"
as "holy war," due to the influence of centuries-old Western
propaganda.
This could be a reflection of the Christian use of the
term "Holy War" to refer to the Crusades of a thousand years ago.
However, the Arabic words for "war" are "harb" or "qital," which are
found in the Qur'an and Hadith.
For Muslims the term Jihad is applied to all
forms of striving and has developed some special meanings over
time. The sources of this development are the Qur'an (the Word of God
revealed to Prophet Muhammad(S)
[(S) denotes Sall-Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam, meaning
peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]. The Qur'an and the Hadith
use the word "jihad" in several different contexts which are
given below:
1. RECOGNIZING THE CREATOR AND LOVING HIM MOST:
====================================================
It is human nature to love what is seen with the eyes
and felt with the senses more than the unseen reality. The
Creator of the Universe and the One God is Allah. He is the Unseen
Reality which we tend to ignore and not recognize. The Qur'an
addresses those who claim to be believers:
"O you who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren
for protectors if they love disbelief over belief; whoever of you
takes them for protectors, such are wrong-doers. Say: if your
fathers, and your children, and your brethren, and your spouses, and
your tribe, and the wealth you have acquired, and business for which
you fear shrinkage, and houses you are pleased with are dearer to
you than Allah and His Messenger and striving in His way:
then wait till Allah brings His command to pass. Allah does not
guide disobedient folk."
(The Holy Quran 9:23, 24)
It is indeed a struggle to put Allah ahead of our
loved ones, our wealth, our worldly ambitions and our own lives.
Especially for a non-Muslim who embraces Islam, it may be a tough
struggle due to the opposition of his family, peers and society.
2. RESISTING PRESSURE OF PARENTS, PEERS, AND
SOCIETY:
======================================================
Once a person has made up his mind to put the Creator
of the Universe above all else, he often comes under intense
pressures. It is not easy to resist such pressures and strive
to maintain dedication and love of Allah over all else. A person who
has turned to Islam from another religion may be subjected to
pressures designed to turn him back to the religion of the family. We
read in the Qur'an:
"So obey not the rejecters of faith, but strive
(jahidhum) against them by it (the Qur'an) with a great endeavor."
(The Holy Quran, 25:52)
3. STAYING ON THE STRAIGHT PATH STEADFASTLY:
==============================================
Allah says in the Qur'an:
"And strive (Jadihu) for Allah with the endeavor
(Jihadihi) which is His right. He has chosen you and has not laid
upon you in the deen (religion) any hardship..."
(The Holy Quran, 22:78)
"And whosoever strives (Jahada), strives
(yujahidu) only for himself, for lo! Allah is altogether independent
of the universe."
(The Holy Quran, 29:6)
As for those who strive and struggle to live as true
Muslims whose lives are made difficult due to persecution by their
opponents, they are advised to migrate to a more peaceful and tolerant
land and continue with their struggle in the cause of Allah. Allah
says in the Qur'an:
"Lo! As for those whom the angels take (in death) while they
wronged themselves, (the angels) will ask: 'In what you were
engaged?' They will way: 'We were oppressed in the land.' (The
angels) will say: 'Was not Allah's earth spacious that you could
have migrated therein?'"
(The Holy Quran, 4:97)
"Lo! Those who believe, and those who emigrate (to escape
persecution) and strive (Jahadu) in the way of Allah, these
have hope of Allah's mercy..."
(The Holy Quran, 2:218)
Allah tests the believers in their faith and their
steadfastness:
"Or did you think that you would enter Paradise while yet
Allah knows not those of you who really strive (Jahadu), nor
knows those (of you) who are steadfast."
(The Holy Quran, 3:142)
"And surely We shall try you with something of
fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and fruits; but
give tidings to the steadfast."
(The Holy Quran, 2:155)
We find that the Prophet Muhammad(S)
and his clan were boycotted socially and economically for three years
to force him to stop his message and compromise with the pagans but he
resisted and realized a moral victory(2).
4. STRIVING FOR RIGHTEOUS DEEDS:
==================================
Allah declares in the Qur'an:
"As for those who strive (Jahadu) in Us (the cause of
Allah), We surely guide them to Our paths, and lo! Allah is with the
good doers."
(The Holy Quran, 29:69)
When we are faced with two competing interests, it
becomes jihad to choose the right one, as the following Hadith
exemplify:
"Aisha, wife of the Prophet(S)
asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, we see jihad as the best of
deeds, so shouldn't we join it?' He replied, 'But the best of
jihad is a perfect Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah).'"
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, No. 2784)
At another occasion, a man asked the Prophet Muhammad(S):
"'Should I join the jihad?' He asked, 'Do you have
parents?' The man said, 'Yes!' The Prophet(S)
said, 'Then strive by serving them!'"
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, No. 5972)
Yet another man asked the Messenger of Allah(S):
"'What kind of jihad is better?' He replied, 'A word of
truth in front of an oppressive ruler!'" (Sunan Al-Nasa'i , No.
4209)
The Messenger of Allah(S)
said:
"...the Mujahid (one who carries out jihad) is he
who strives against himself for the sake of Allah, and the
Muhajir (one who emigrates) is he who abandons evil deeds and
sin."
(Sahih Ibn Hibbanm, No. 4862)
5. HAVING COURAGE AND STEADFASTNESS TO CONVEY THE
MESSAGE OF ISLAM:
==================================================================
The Qur'an narrates the experiences of a large number
of Prophets and good people who suffered a great deal trying to convey
the message of Allah to mankind. For examples, see the Qur'an
26:1-190, 36:13-32. In the Qur'an, Allah specifically praises those
who strive to convey His message:
"Who is better in speech than one who calls (other people) to
Allah, works righteous, and declares that he is from the Muslims."
(The Holy Quran, 41:33)
Under adverse conditions it takes great courage to
remain a Muslim, declare oneself to be a Muslim and call others to
Islam. We read in the Qur'an:
"The (true) believers are only those who believe in Allah and
his messenger and afterward doubt not, but strive with their
wealth and their selves for the cause of Allah. Such are the
truthful." (The Holy Quran, 49:15)
6. DEFENDING ISLAM AND THE COMMUNITY:
=========================================
Allah declares in the Qur'an:
"To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to
defend themselves), because they are wronged - and verily, Allah is
Most Powerful to give them victory - (they are) those who have been
expelled from their homes in defiance of right - (for no cause)
except that they say, 'Our Lord is Allah'..."
(The Holy Quran, 22:39-40)
The Qur'an permits fighting to defend the religion of
Islam and the Muslims. This permission includes fighting in
self-defense and for the protection of family and property. The early
Muslims fought many battles against their enemies under the leadership
of the Prophet Muhammad(S)
or his representatives. For example, when the pagans of Quraysh
brought armies against Prophet Muhammad(S),
the Muslims fought to defend their faith and community(3).
The Qur'an adds:
"Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight against
you, but do not transgress limits. Lo! Allah loves not aggressors.
...And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for
Allah. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except
against transgressors."
(The Holy Quran, 2:190, 193)
7. HELPING ALLIED PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT BE MUSLIM:
==================================================
In the late period of the Prophet Muhammad's(S)
life, the tribe of Banu Khuza'ah became his ally. They were living
near Makkah which was under the rule of the pagan Quraysh, Prophet
Muhammad's(S)
own tribe. The tribe of Banu Bakr, an ally of Quraysh, with the help
of some elements of Quraysh, attacked Banu Khuza'ah invoked the treaty
and demanded Prophet Muhammad(S)
to come to their help and punish Quraysh. The Prophet Muhammad(S)
organized a campaign against Quraysh of Makkah which resulted in the
conquest of Makkah which occurred without any battle(4).
8. REMOVING TREACHEROUS PEOPLE FROM POWER:
================================================
Allah orders the Muslims in the Qur'an:
"If you fear treachery from any group, throw back (their
treaty) to them, (so as to be) on equal terms. Lo! Allah loves not
the treacherous."
(The Holy Quran, 8:58)
Prophet Muhammad(S)
undertook a number of armed campaigns to remove treacherous people
from power and their lodgings. He had entered into pacts with several
tribes, however, some of them proved themselves treacherous. Prophet
Muhammad(S)
launched armed campaigns against these tribes, defeated and exiled
them from Medina and its surroundings(5).
9. DEFENDING THROUGH PREEMPTIVE STRIKES:
============================================
Indeed, it is difficult to mobilize people to fight
when they see no invaders in their territory; however, those who are
charged with responsibility see dangers ahead of time and must provide
leadership. The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad(S),
had the responsibility to protect his people and the religion he
established in Arabia. Whenever he received intelligence reports about
enemies gathering near his borders he carried out preemptive strikes,
broke their power and dispersed them(6).
Allah ordered Muslims in the Qur'an:
"Fighting is prescribed upon you, and you dislike it. But it
may happen that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and it
may happen that you love a thing which is bad for you. And Allah
knows and you know not."
(The Holy Quran, 2:216)
10. GAINING FREEDOM TO INFORM, EDUCATE AND CONVEY
THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM IN AN OPEN AND FREE ENVIRONMENT:
===================================================================
Allah declares in the Qur'an:
"They ask you (Muhammad) concerning fighting in the Sacred
Month. Say, 'Fighting therein is a grave (offense) but graver is it
in the sight of Allah to prevent access to the path of Allah, to
deny Him, to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, and drive out its
inhabitants. Persecution is worse than killing. Nor will they cease
fighting you until they turn you back from your faith, if they
can..."
(The Holy Quran, 2:217)
"And those who, when an oppressive wrong is
inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) fight back."
(The Holy Quran, 42:39)
To gain this freedom, Prophet Muhammad(S)
said:
"Strive (Jahidu) against the disbelievers with your hands
and tongues."
(Sahih Ibn Hibban, No. 4708)
The life of the Prophet Muhammad(S)
was full of striving to gain the freedom to inform and convey
the message of Islam. During his stay in Makkah he used non-violent
methods and after the establishment of his government in Madinah, by
the permission of Allah, he used armed struggle against his enemies
whenever he found it inevitable.
11. FREEING PEOPLE FROM TYRANNY:
===================================
Allah admonishes Muslims in the Qur'an:
"And why should you not fight in the cause of Allah and of
those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? - Men,
women, and children, whose cry is: 'Our Lord! Rescue us from this
town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from You, one
who will protect; and raise for us from You, one who will help.'"
(The Holy Quran, 4:75)
The mission of the Prophet Muhammad(S)
was to free people from tyranny and exploitation by oppressive
systems. Once free, individuals in the society were then free to chose
Islam or not. Prophet Muhammad's(S)
successors continued in his footsteps and went to help oppressed
people. For example, after the repeated call by the oppressed people
of Spain to the Muslims for help, Spain was liberated by Muslim forces
and the tyrant rulers removed. After the conquest of Syria and Iraq by
the Muslims, the Christian population of Hims reportedly said to the
Muslims:
"We like your rule and justice far better than the state of
oppression and tyranny under which we have been living."(7)
The defeated rulers of Syria were Roman Christians,
and Iraq was ruled by Zoarastrian Persians.
WHAT SHOULD MUSLIMS DO WHEN THEY ARE VICTORIOUS?
=======================================================
Muslims should remove tyranny, treachery, bigotry, and
ignorance and replace them with justice and equity. We should provide
truthful knowledge and free people from the bondage of
'associationism' (Shirk, or multiple gods), prejudice, superstition
and mythology. Muslims remove immorality, fear, crime, exploitation
and replace them with divine morality, peace and education. The Qur'an
declares:
"Lo! Allah commands you that you restore deposits to their
owners, and if you judge between mankind that you judge justly. Lo!
It is proper that Allah admonishes you. Lo! Allah is ever Hearer,
Seer."
(The Holy Quran, 4:58)
"O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah's
witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you
make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is
next to Piety and fear Allah. And Allah is well acquainted with all
that you do."
(The Holy Quran, 5:8)
"And of those whom We have created there is a
nation who guides with the Truth and establishes justice with it."
(The Holy Quran, 7:181)
"Lo! Allah enjoins justice and kindness, and
giving to kinsfolk, and forbids lewdness and abomination and
wickedness. He exhorts you in order that you may take heed."
(The Holy Quran, 16:90)
"Those who, if We give them power in the land,
establish prescribed prayers (salah) and pay the poor-due (zakah)
and enjoin right conduct and forbid evil. And with Allah rests the
end (and decision) of (all) affairs."
(The Holy Quran, 22:41)
DID ISLAM SPREAD BY FORCE, SWORDS OR GUNS?
==============================================
The unequivocal and emphatic answer is No! The
Qur'an declares:
"Let there be no compulsion (or coercion) in the religion
(Islam). The right direction is distinctly clear from error."
(The Holy Quran, 2:256)
Here is a good study of the question of the spread of
Islam by a Christian missionary, T. W. Arnold:
"...of any organized attempt to force the acceptance of Islam on
the non-Muslim population, or of any systematic persecution intended
to stamp out the Christian religion, we hear nothing. Had the
caliphs chosen to adopt either course of action, they might have
swept away Christianity as easily as Ferdinand and Isabella drove
Islam out of Spain, or Louis XIV made Protestantism penal in France,
or the Jews were kept out of England for 350 years. The Eastern
Churches in Asia were entirely cut off from communion with the rest
of Christiandom throughout which no one would have been found to
lift a finger on their behalf, as heretical communions. So that the
very survival of these Churches to the present day is a strong proof
of the generally tolerant attitude of Mohammedan [sic] governments
towards them"(8).
Islam does not teach, nor do Muslims desire,
conversion of any people for fear, greed, marriage or any other form
of coercion.
In conclusion, jihad in Islam is striving in
the way of Allah by pen, tongue, hand, media and, if inevitable,
with arms. However, jihad in Islam does not include striving
for individual or national power, dominance, glory, wealth, prestige
or pride.
REFERENCES:
==============
-
For the sake of simplicity and easy reading, masculine
pronouns have been used throughout this brochure. No exclusion of
females is intended. (back)
-
Haykal, M. H., The Life of Muhammad, Tr. Ismail
R. Faruqi, American Trust Publications, 1976, p. 132. (back)
-
Haykal, pp. 216, 242, 299 and 414 for the Battles of
Badr, Uhud, Al-Khandaq and Hunayn, respectively. (back)
-
Haykal, p. 395 for the conquest of Makkah. (back)
-
Haykal, pp. 245, 277, 311 and 326 for campaigns against
the tribes of Banu Qaynuqa', Banu Al-Nadir, Banu Qurayzah and Banu
Lihyan, respectively. Also, see p. 283 for the Battle of Dhat
Al-Riqa'. (back)
-
Haykal, pp. 284, 327, 366, 387, 393, 443 and 515 for the
Battles of Dawmat Al-Jandal, Banu Al-Mustaliq, Khayber, Mu'tah, Dhat
Al-Salasil, Tabuk and the Campaign of Usama Ibn Zayd, respectively.
(back)
-
Hitti, Philip K., History of the Arabs, St.
Martin's Press, New York, 1970, p. 153. (back)
-
Arnold, Sir Thomas W., The Preaching of Islam, a
History of the Propagation of the Muslim Faith, Westminister A.
Constable & Co., London, 1896, p. 80. (back)
Published by
The Institute of Islamic Information & Education
P.O. Box 41129,
Chicago, IL 60641-0129
Tel. (773) 777-7443 * Fax. (773) 777-7199
Idara Dawat-O-Irshad, USA Inc. - P.O. Box 22885, Alexandria, VA
22304
Tel: (703) 256-8622
http://www.irshad.org/idara/
Source:
http://www.irshad.org/islam/iiie/iiie_18.htm
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