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ISLAM & THE CONCEPT OF JIHAD AND TERRORISM T he buzzword being bandied about in the Middle East today is reform, in response to the 9/11 attacks. It has become clear that this region suffers from a lack of both freedom and opportunity. Reform in the Muslim world is an oftheard refrain in speeches of leaders, particularly western. The world has come to understand that given the monetary & economic obscurity in most third world and more precisely Muslim countries today, if it chooses to sit idly by and allow the violation of human rights and suppression of basic freedoms to continue unchecked, trouble will ensue. The so-called Intellectuals, clergymen, and state controlled media have swayed Muslim youth in the region that the west is the sole cause of their miseries, including their lack of basic human rights. Nevertheless, the demon of terrorism has reared its ugly head again. Moreover, this time it has struck in the heart of Spain-a major member of the US-led coalition that took part in the attack in Iraq. Conversely, Spain is not new to terrorism. It has a festering terrorism problem-the Basque separatist movement of its own for many decades. Yet, synchronized bomb blasts on trains at Madrid railway stations, which claimed 198 lives and left some 1400 injured is unprecedented. As expected, the outlawed ETA has been named as the prime suspect. However, the claim of responsibility by a group in the name of Al-Qaeda is also being explored. Even so, for some reason, a number of people are looking into religion for answers, specifically Islam. Many people are turning to the Holy Quran. Unfortunately, this has led many to misapprehend a number of verses about the Islamic conduct of jihad. In the linguistic sense, the Arabic word "jihad" means struggling or striving and applies to any endeavor 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 popularity with his constituents and so on. The term strive or struggle may be used for/by Muslims as well non-Muslims; for example, Allah, One and Only True God says in the Holy 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...” Al-Ankaboot verse 8 & Luqman verse 15. In the above two verses of the Holy Qur'an, it is non-Muslim parents who strive (jahada) 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 muqaddasatun,” or for "the holy war", "al-harbu almuqaddasatu". I 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. by Farooq Ali Khan email: [email protected] For Muslims the term “jihad” applied to all forms of striving and has developed some special meanings overtime. The sources of this development are the Qur'an (the Word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad ) and the Hadith (teachings of Prophet Muhammad ). The Qur'an and the Hadith use the word "jihad" in several different contexts, which needs further elaboration and explanation. 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 neither your fathers nor your brethren for protectors if they love disbelief over belief; whoever of you takes them for protectors such are wrongdoers. 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 Hi sway: then wait till Allah brings His command to pass. Allah does not guide disobedient folk” At-Tawba verse 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. Allah says in the Qur'an:“And strive (jahidu) 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 ...” Al-Hajj verse 78. “And whosoever strives (jahada), strives (yujahidu) only for himself, for lo! Allah is altogether independent of the universe” Al-Ankaboot verse 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 Holy 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 say: we were oppressed in the land. (The angels) will say: was not Allah's earth spacious that you could have migrated therein? ...” An-Nisa verse 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 ...” Al-Baqara verse 218. Under adverse conditions, it takes great courage to remain a Muslim, declare one self to be a Muslim and call others to Islam. We read in the Holy 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” Al-Hujjrat verse 15. 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” Aal-E-Imran verse142. “And surely We shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and fruits; but give glad tidings to the steadfast” Al-Baqara verse 155. When we are faced with two competing interests, it becomes jihad to choose the right one, as the following Hadith exemplifies. by Farooq Ali Khan email: [email protected] A man asked the Prophet Muhammad “Should I join the jihad? He asked: Do you have parents? The man said: Yes! The Prophet said: then strive by (serving) them! (Sahih Al-Bukhari #5972). Allah declares in the Holy 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....” Al-Hajj verse 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 or his representatives. For example, when the pagans of Qura’ish brought armies against Prophet Muhammad , in the battle of Badr. The Muslims fought to defend their faith and community. However, Islamic Shari’ah laid emphasis on the fact that extremism, violence, and terrorism have no connection whatsoever with Islam. In fact, they are manifestations of perilous acts with dangerous consequences, and an aggression and iniquity against the individual. Whosoever carefully studies the two sources of the Shari'ah (Islamic law), namely the Book of Allah [the Qur'an] and the Sunnah (Traditions) of Prophet Muhammad , would discover that they are devoid of any import of extremism, acts of violence or terrorism, which imply carrying out aggression against others without a just cause. Nevertheless, terrorism is an outrageous attack carried out either by individuals, groups, or states against the human being (his religion, life, intellect, property, and honor). It includes all forms of intimidation, harm, threatening, killing without just cause and everything connected with any form of armed robbery, hence making pathways insecure, banditry, every act of violence or threatening intended to fulfill a criminal scheme individually or collectively, so as to terrify and horrify people by hurting them or by exposing their lives, liberty, security or conditions to danger; it can also take the form of inflicting damage on the environment or on a public or a private utility or exposing a national or natural resource to danger. All these are manifestations of the mischief in the land; Allah has prohibited Muslims from committing. Allah says in the Holy Qur'an: "And seek not occasions for mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief" Al-Qasass verse77. Hence, Allah did not only enact deterrent punishment against terrorism, aggression, and corruption, but considers these acts tantamount to waging war against Allah and His Messenger. Allah says in the Holy Qur'an: "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: That is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the hereafter” Al-Maeda verse 33. by Farooq Ali Khan email: [email protected] Obviously, in view of the enormity of such acts of aggression, viewed by the Shari'ah (Islamic law) as an act of war against the laws and the creatures of God, there is no stricter punishment anywhere in the manmade laws. Moreover, there are various forms of terrorism, which include state terrorism, the most conspicuous illustration and the most heinous are practiced in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Kashmir, & Chechnya today by the US, Israel, India, and Russia respectively. According to the Islamic Shari’ah, state terrorism is the most menacing to security and peace in the world, and, therefore, standing up against it is tantamount to self-defense and striving in the cause of Allah. In combating terrorism and protecting society against its evil consequences, Islam is a trailblazer. Through clear-cut limitations that must not be trespassed, Islam urges the protection of human life, honor, property, religion, and intellect. Allah says in the Qur'an: "Say: The things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are; shameful deeds, whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason." Moreover, "When he turns his back, his aim everywhere is to spread mischief through the earth and destroy crops and progeny. However, Allah loves not mischief. When it is said to him 'Fear Allah,' he is led by arrogance to (more) crime. Enough for him is Hell - an evil bed indeed to lie on" Al-Araf verse 33 & Al-Baqara verses 205-206 In Islam, Jihad is ordained to uphold right, repel injustice, and establish justice, peace, security, and clemency, with which the Prophet was sent to take humanity out of darkness unto light. More specifically, “Jihad” as been ordained to eliminate all forms of terrorism, and to defend the homeland against occupation, plunder, and colonialism. Jihad is waged against those who support others in driving out people out of their homes, as well as against those who are in breach of their covenants. Jihad is meant to avoid tempting away Muslims from their faith or restricting their freedom to conduct peaceful propagation of their religion. Allah said: "Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for your faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: For Allah loveth those who are just""Allah only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for your faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support others in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them in these circumstances that do wrong." Al-Mumtahina verses 8-9 Islam has crystal clear rules and provisions that forbid the killing of non-combatants, innocent persons, such as the elderly, women and children; pursuit of fleeing persons, slaying persons who have surrendered, injuring prisoners, or mutilating the bodies of the dead, or destroying structures and buildings that have no connection with combat. Thus it is illogical to equate violence committed by usurpers, tyrants and dictators who violate human decorum, defile sanctuaries and plunder wealth, with the right of legitimate self-defense, exercised by the oppressed in asserting their legitimate right of self-determination. It is, indeed, the need of the hour, to call the attention of all nations, peoples and organizations of the world to the necessity of drawing a distinction between legitimate “Jihad” against aggression or oppression designed to establish truth and justice, and the act of violence, which aims at occupation of land, trespassing on national dominion and terrifying civilian populations and turning them into refugees. by Farooq Ali Khan email: [email protected]