If Jihad is compulsory

Submitted by masch kisiel (Malaysia), Dec 18, 2003 at 00:50

Hola

Almost a year ago, I learned that my daughter has embraced Islam. Amazingly, her life had not deteriorated as I had anticipated, but instead she was blossoming. She had inspired us and our neighbours so much that since then I have been rigourously studying Islam and almost at a point at embracing it.

But there is only one thing stopping me doing so. Jihad.

I've read about Jihad from North to South and yet cant quite get a grasp on what it actually means. To date, reading the translations of the Koran and the As Sunnah, I've interpreted it myself to mean "to fight so that Allah's Word is higher." Fight here does not mean to wield a sword, but it could also mean to 'ensure' by hand (generosity, set an example, make an impression) by mouth (preaching) and by heart (faith).

Reading posts here and the ongoings in the real world, it seems Jihad could also mean to wage war, but prophet Muhammad never did kill all non believers, if he did he'd be the only muslim throughout time.

Perhaps you can write an article here, Dr Pipes. If Jihad means to wage war on all non-believers and its so compulsory that the rewards cant be imagined by the human mind, why is it that only a select few practice it?

Less than 0.01% of the world's muslim population really care about going to paradise and acting in accordance to their God orders?

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