Misconceptions About Jihad

Culture, Social, Political, and Security

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. And for Rasulullah Muhammad SAW, piece be upon him.

At the beginning, I should like to sincerely thank for your coming in this blog.

In this changes I want to talk about jihad. 

Have you ever heard about that before? I assume you are thinking about something wrong about that. The Arabic word "jihad" is often translated as "holy war”. However in a purely linguistic sense, the word " Jihad/Jahada” in Arabic means struggling or striving or make an effort. So, there are misunderstood concept about Jihad.

The concept of ‘Jihad’ has been misconceptions is not among muslims but among non muslim also. There are political and religious groups who using ‘Jihad’ for their benefit, to justify various forms of violence. And if you hear the news about terrorism, sometimes you feel scary or inflamed your temper. And you’ll asking, why? Why they do that? Why they killing themselves for the sake of faith? How cruel they are.

But it’s not ‘Jihad’. In this era you can’t 100% trust the media, for knowing the truth you should do research. Please don’t as blind as a bat for the sake of true information.

In the fact, terrorism is not Jihad. Suicide is prohibited in Islam and others faith. The military is only one aspect of Jihad and Islam organizes it strictly. The words of ‘Jihad’ is mentions 41 times on Al Qur’an, the muslim scriptures. Jihad has a lot of meanings, It can refer to internal as well as external efforts to be a good Muslims or believer. If you do something with your best, particularly if it’s because of Allah, you can call it with Jihad.

Depending on Qur’an Surah Al Ankaabut (Chap.29, Ver.69) :

وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.

This verse show us ‘Jihad’ is a strive for a good things. We can apply ethos of Jihad in a small scope. As a student you should study hard for exam, in my case I put my best to made this speech. Don’t worry, I am not triying to wash your brain or something, I am talking the truth.

Another examples ; as a worker you should to work hard, always increasing your skill’s for a good things, put your best. Or if you do the charity maybe for Palestine, or victims of natural disasters. You made health care program for asmat tribe, you made something good. The efforts that you made for yourself, for other people, in a highest level/especially for Allah you can call it with Jihad.

Another Fact :

WHAT JIHAD IS

Depending on world dictionary The arabic word for war is: "al-harb".

In a religious sense, as described by the Quran and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (s), "jihad" has many meanings. It can refer to internal as well as external efforts to be a good Muslims or believer, as well as working to inform people about the faith of Islam.

If military jihad is required to protect the faith against others, it can be performed using anything from legal, diplomatic and economic to political means. If there is no peaceful alternative, Islam also allows the use of force, but there are strict rules of engagement. Innocents - such as women, children, or invalids - must never be harmed, and any peaceful overtures from the enemy must be accepted.

Military action is therefore only one means of jihad, and is very rare. To highlight this point, the Prophet Mohammed told his followers returning from a military campaign: "This day we have returned from the minor jihad to the major jihad," which he said meant returning from armed battle to the peaceful battle for self-control and betterment.

In case military action appears necessary, not everyone can declare jihad. The religious military campaign has to be declared by a proper authority, advised by scholars, who say the religion and people are under threat and violence is imperative to defend them. The concept of "just war" is very important.

The concept of jihad has been hijacked by many political and religious groups over the ages in a bid to justify various forms of violence. In most cases, Islamic splinter groups invoked jihad to fight against the established Islamic order. Scholars say this misuse of jihad contradicts Islam.

Examples of sanctioned military jihad include the Muslims' defensive battles against the Crusaders in medieval times, and before that some responses by Muslims against Byzantine and Persian attacks during the period of the early Islamic conquests.

WHAT JIHAD IS NOT

Jihad is not a violent concept.

Jihad is not a declaration of war against other religions. It is worth noting that the Koran specifically refers to Jews and Christians as "people of the book" who should be protected and respected. All three faiths worship the same God. Allah is just the Arabic word for God, and is used by Christian Arabs as well as Muslims.

Military action in the name of Islam has not been common in the history of Islam. Scholars says most calls for violent jihad are not sanctioned by Islam.

Warfare in the name of God is not unique to Islam. Other faiths throughout the world have waged wars with religious justifications