Jihad seen linguistically

Submitted by Dr. Jamshid Ibrahim (United States), Jan 30, 2005 at 12:37

The word Jihad at least seen linguistically has nothing to do with holy war or aggression. It is derived from the three consonants JHD which carry a core meaning. This root carries the meaning "to exert effort, try hard" . However it is not defined exactly how to exert effort "whether peacefully or by force" in its linguistic sense. However, this word has been associated from a very early age and stated in Quran with the addition "fi sabi:l allah: in the way of God.

Later as with all linguistic changes this word has experienced a semanitic development. An extension of its meaning and pejoration occurred because of the hostile or military practices in connection with this word.This means we cannot insist on its original meaning and say it has nothing to do with force, war or aggression. Its new meaning has been now established for quite a long time as a word which is used by some Arabs themselves, as Mr Pipes rightly noted, in association with war and attack against anything which doesn't comply with their ideology. In this way they justify their aggressive deeds and at the same time, supported by some orientalists, stick to the original meaning and neglect its linguistic development and change.
Dr. Jamshid Ibrahim
Bremen - Germany

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