meaning of Jihad is VERY WRONG!!!

Submitted by Ayesha (South Africa), Sep 18, 2005 at 11:57

Kindly note it would be best for you to research the topic from an islamic point of view before you post misconceptions on a website to influence unquestioning readers!


The word Jihad is commonly translated into English as " the Holy War "
And is synonymous with "mania of religion".
The word Jihad conjures up the vision of a marching band of religious fanatics with savage beards and fiery eyes attacking the infidels.
Is this really Jihad in Islam?

The first misconception is that jihad is a "holy war".
The Arabic word for "holy war " is "Harb Muqaddasah " and is distinct from the term jihad. Therefore, jihad in no way means a "holy war ".

The second misconception is that Jihad is associated with fighting in the way of Allah. The Arabic term for fighting is "qatl" and again is distinct from Jihad. Fighting is a small part of jihad but is not jihad totally. The fighting in Islam is not meant to be an act of brutality but an aim at self-preservation, preservation of truth, justice and morals.

The third misconception is that jihad is associated with the compulsion of religion and that Islam was imposed on the people and spread by the sword. This ideal is totally negated in the quran, Sura Baqara verse 256:
"Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error…"

So you might ask me," what is Jihad in Islam?"

The word jihad is derived from the word Jahd which means exertion of power. The nearest meaning of Jihad may be described as "to exert ones utmost in the promotion of a cause in the path of Allah".
The first jihad is of the self where a person is in a constant struggle to control the evil tendencies within him. He must discipline himself and gain knowledge and become conscious of evils around him.

Thereafter a Muslim is engaged in jihad of his environment. This is the spread of jihad to ones family, friends and to the community in general. We strive to purify the environment of all evils and replace with good.

Jihad is therefore an all round struggle and can be fulfilled in different ways. A Muslim has to exercise all his powers be it in the form of intellectual or physical capacities or his gift of speech or his moral strength, courage or steadfastness sin the face of hardship.

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) was reported to say "
The best of jihad is the uttering of the word of truth in the face of the tyrannical ruler" This would make it abundantly clear that Jihad in Islam is not an act of violence. It is an all round struggle in the path of Allah.

The essential condition for jihad is therefore a struggle for the cause of Allah.


The prophet (Peace be upon him) has said "
Whosoever of you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand, and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue and if he is unable to do so, then with his heart."

The quran says
"And fight in the way of Allah, those who fight you and transgress not the limits, verily Allah loves not the transgressors."

So one may ask what are the limits?
These were set by out Prophet (PBOH)

"Neither kill the old verging on death nor children and babes nor the females. Do not steal anything from the booty and collect together all things which fall to your lot in the battles field, and do good, Allah loves those who do good."

In addition the caliphs or rulers also set out limits.

Abu Bakr (PBOH) said " do not commit treachery, nor depart from the right part, do not mutilate, nor kill a child, nor aged man or woman. Do not destroy a palm tree , nor burn it with fire and do not cut any fruitful tree. You must not slay any of the flock or herds or the camels."

In addition Umar (pboh) said, " Be careful that those who have been entrusted to your care receive no harm at your hands and are never deprived of any of their legitimate rights"

As you can see the islamic perspective is completely different from your western "unresearched" viewpoint.

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