Post by sparklekaz on May 18, 2012 14:51:21 GMT
Perhaps one of the most controversial and misunderstood aspects of Islam is the concept of jihad. References to a “jihad against the West” coupled with phrases like “Islamic militancy” run freely through the media and in politics. Some groups of Muslims do misinterpret and politicize the idea of jihad, limiting its sense to an armed struggle against outsiders. However, the original Islamic meaning of this term referred to a complex internal and external struggle to practice faith in the midst of oppression.
The word jihad comes from the Arabic root Jihad, which carries the meaning “struggle” or “strive.” Other words derived from this root include “effort,” “fatigue,” and “labor.” The essential meaning is this: Jihad is a struggle to practice one's faith in the face of obstacles.
Jihad in the Qur'an
The word jihad appears in the Qur'an several times, where it is used to describe the efforts of the believers to resist pressure from others to give up their faith and to defend themselves against oppressors. In one instance, the Muslims are encouraged to strive against falsehood with the “weapon” of the Qur'an: “Therefore listen not to the unbelievers, but strive against them with it [the Qur'an] with the utmost strenuousness” (Qur'an 25:52).
The translation of jihad as “holy war” is incorrect. In Arabic, you would translate “holy war” as harbun muqaddasatu, a phrase that is not found in the Qur'an or in any other form of Islamic literature. In Islam, the only acceptable armed struggle is a defensive one.
In some passages, the Qur'an uses other forms of the root Jihad to describe the efforts of non-Muslims who strive against the believers. For example: “We have enjoined on people kindness to parents. But if they strive [jahadaka] to make you ascribe partners with Me … then obey them not” (Qur'an 29:8).
Jihad can be a struggle within one's self — to keep one's heart, tongue, and mind free from evil. One can struggle to perform good deeds and to avoid evil in society. One can struggle with money and possessions, to support good causes. As a final resort, one may struggle in the battlefield against opposing forces.
The Qur'an repeatedly stresses the value of forgiveness, even toward one's enemies. While Islam generally holds to the ancient teaching of “an eye for an eye,” there is an emphasis on the blessings of forgiveness. The teachings are summed up in these verses:
“Indeed, if any do help and defend himself, after a wrong done to him, against such there is no cause of blame. The blame is only against those who oppress men with wrongdoing, and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice. For such there will be a chastisement grievous [in the Hereafter]. But indeed if any show patience and forgive, that would truly be an affair of great resolution” (Qur'an 42:41–43).
This was indeed the practice of the early Muslim community, and it continues to serve as an example for later generations of Muslims to follow.
The word jihad comes from the Arabic root Jihad, which carries the meaning “struggle” or “strive.” Other words derived from this root include “effort,” “fatigue,” and “labor.” The essential meaning is this: Jihad is a struggle to practice one's faith in the face of obstacles.
Jihad in the Qur'an
The word jihad appears in the Qur'an several times, where it is used to describe the efforts of the believers to resist pressure from others to give up their faith and to defend themselves against oppressors. In one instance, the Muslims are encouraged to strive against falsehood with the “weapon” of the Qur'an: “Therefore listen not to the unbelievers, but strive against them with it [the Qur'an] with the utmost strenuousness” (Qur'an 25:52).
The translation of jihad as “holy war” is incorrect. In Arabic, you would translate “holy war” as harbun muqaddasatu, a phrase that is not found in the Qur'an or in any other form of Islamic literature. In Islam, the only acceptable armed struggle is a defensive one.
In some passages, the Qur'an uses other forms of the root Jihad to describe the efforts of non-Muslims who strive against the believers. For example: “We have enjoined on people kindness to parents. But if they strive [jahadaka] to make you ascribe partners with Me … then obey them not” (Qur'an 29:8).
Jihad can be a struggle within one's self — to keep one's heart, tongue, and mind free from evil. One can struggle to perform good deeds and to avoid evil in society. One can struggle with money and possessions, to support good causes. As a final resort, one may struggle in the battlefield against opposing forces.
The Qur'an repeatedly stresses the value of forgiveness, even toward one's enemies. While Islam generally holds to the ancient teaching of “an eye for an eye,” there is an emphasis on the blessings of forgiveness. The teachings are summed up in these verses:
“Indeed, if any do help and defend himself, after a wrong done to him, against such there is no cause of blame. The blame is only against those who oppress men with wrongdoing, and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice. For such there will be a chastisement grievous [in the Hereafter]. But indeed if any show patience and forgive, that would truly be an affair of great resolution” (Qur'an 42:41–43).
This was indeed the practice of the early Muslim community, and it continues to serve as an example for later generations of Muslims to follow.
