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.