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:
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November 2015
Farhad Shafti
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
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November 2015
Farhad Shafti
