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Jihad and Terrorism

Question:
Some non muslims think in these times that jihad is terrorism, killing non muslims without any cause.
Whatever I studied is that teachings of Muhammad (P.B.U.H) tell us to live in peace.
I think that jihad means to convert people to Islam.
What do you think about that


Answer:
​Jihad has a general meaning and a specific one. In general Jihad refers to any serious effort in the path of God, including becoming a better human being, upholding justice or to spread the message of truth.

When it comes to spreading the message of truth, again many ways are possible, from being a good example of that message to bringing rational arguments and evidences (the Qur’an refers to using the Book to spread the message as Jihad: 25:52).

Jihad in its specific meaning is when the effort to uphold justice is in a military form. This is only allowed when the purpose is to curb persecution (oppressing people in a way that takes away their freedom to live as they consider it to be correct: 2:193). Since this form of Jihad directly relates to lives of human beings and human beings’ life is sacred, therefore there are a number of conditions for this Jihad. Some of them are as follows:
  • It has to be initiated and managed by a legitimate state
  • Its sole purpose should be to curb persecution (there is no basis to convert people to Islam through military Jihad)
  • Civilians are not to be harmed, not even as collateral damage
  • No agreements should be violated (including international agreements that the state has signed in for)
  • There shouldn’t be any inhumane exaggerated military action
  • Prisoners of war are not to be harmed and should be treated humanly 





As you can easily see from the above, there is absolutely no link between that military Jihad that Islam refers to and the acts of terrorism, involving killing civilians in the name of Islam. In fact the latter (terrorism) itself can be an example of persecution which may justify a legitimate Muslim state doing Jihad against it with all possible means.

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November 2015

​Farhad Shafti
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