JIHAD : Why the misconceptions?

 

  


 Over the years, Jihad has been a topic of debate across the globe. But it is quite sad that Jihad in Islam has not only being misunderstood by the non Muslim, even Muslims lack adequate knowledge regarding it concept. So sad and tragic. It goes to the extent of some Muslims altering words which can actually lead one out of the fold of Islam. For these reasons it is mandatory upon us to seek the knowledge of the pristine Islam. Non Muslims who believe Islam is a religion of aggression and hostility (or whatever qualifications they might have given it ) due to Jihad, only say this because they fail to understand its concept in Islam.
It gives me less concern when a non believer stands against Islam is this regard because he neither claimed that Allah is his creator, nor did he accept Muhammad as His messenger. But why are Muslims falling prey to this issue?



          
  Obviously, knowledge is the principal cause.

Jihad basically means ‘to strive’. It could also mean an effort one makes in order to practice the religion, even with persecution from the oppressors. Jihad also could be interpreted to be a spiritual struggle to bring your soul under control, which could have been the greatest of struggle you might have done. The latter is an endless battle which is to be fought till the point of death.

             The best of mankind , Muhammad (PBUH) was reported to have said “……kullu naasi yagduu fabahihu nafsahu falmu’tikuha aw muhbikuha.” Meaning-- “every man goes out in the morning and trades with his soul, either freeing (himself) or destroying himself.” This hadeeth implies that one who freed himself has successfully suppressed his own whims and desires and chose to abide by the commandments of Allah. But on the contrary, one who destroys himself has obviously allowed his caprices to overtake him.

               For women, Hajj mabrur (Hajj which is done according to prophet’s injunction and accepted by Allah) is also regarded as jihad, as it is in the hadeeth where Aishat (RA) was reported to have said “O Allah’s apostle, we consider Jihad as the best deed. Should we (women) fight in Allah’s cause? And he said ‘the best jihad (for women) is hajj mabrur”

            One may well ask, why do Muslims have a record of physical battles when they describe Jihad as above? Well, Jihad in term of military effort only sets in as a last resort, yet with conditions. Jihad will only come in form of military effort if Muslims are being oppressed, and driven out of their homes simply because they acknowledged that there no other deity worthy of worship safe Allah, and also preventing them from worship there Lord (Allah). For Allah said in the glorious Qur’an. “those who have been expelled from their homes unjustly only because they said ‘Our Lord is Allah’-For had it not been that Allah checks one set of by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down. Verily, Allah will help those who help His (cause). Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty.”-Q22v40.


              More so, if there arises jihad in term of war, there are rules guiding this. Allah the Exalted says in Q2V190 that “and fight in the way of Allah those who fight you, but transgress not the limit. For Allah likes not the transgressors”. In the above mentioned verse it was mentioned explicitly that you fight those who fight you, which simply implies that there is no reason for any Muslim to fight a female, if she is not ready to fight you. Properties are not to be destroyed, aged people who can’t fight should not be killed, neither should children be slain. How merciful is Islam for it to be tagged as a religion of terrorism.      compar

ed to the so called super power, who when unjustly invade territories destroys lives and properties of innocent people, killing old and young, releasing mass destruction missiles. This is not fair, but the world will always exonerate them but criticise Islam and Muslims for being terrorists, the question is; who in essence is the terrorist, the Muslims or who? The answer to this question is not far- fetched, but yet I am leaving that for you to decide.
             Islam is innocent of all the claims being levied upon it.
 P.S------->….. The knowledge of the Deen is already going into extinct in our community. Let’s revive the culture of seeking knowledge; this has been the way of our predecessors.