Answer to Aiyesha

Submitted by Alonehhob (Canada), Sep 19, 2005 at 14:53

Asalam Alekom (peace be with you) Aiysheh

You said

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.

My answer
Aiysheh, I am from Arabic origin and I know what you have been explaining with regards to the Arabic terms of JIHAD.

Fighting is maybe a small part of JIHAD but it has been and it is continuously a way of JIHAD for the name of Allah. Self preservation, truth and justice are all words with so many meanings. Every nation has its own interpretation for these words. Justice in Sharia law doesn't have the same interpretation of justice in the Western laws. Example: a man can marry more than one woman up to 4 women in Sharia law with some kind of considerations, etc. Western law will never permit this kind of marriage concept

The thing that we really need to look at is that violence itself can not be part of any religion (whether controlled violence or not controlled), we have to understand that NO one on earth has the right to decide who to die and who to live, every human being is precious and has to be dealt with in dignity and mercy. You have mentioned the ethics of war in Islam but WHY would there be wars in the first place? In Palestine, you are saying that it is legitimate to fight against occupation, you can resist occupation of course with so many ways, Gandhi defeated Britain without using any kind of violence. Jesus defeated his enemies by blessing them and forgiving them, we will not have enemies anymore if we start treating people as equal to us not as Kofar (infidels).

Religions should be set of rules for human being to live in peace with them, with GOD (Allah) and most importantly to live in peace with the rest of the world. Mohammad and muslims claim that the bible is corrupt and the Quran is a word from GOD. I am telling you that even if the bible didn't exist but we heard about a sinless person (Jesus) who came to the world with a message of LOVE, I would be the first one who follows him. Mohammad according to Muslims came with a message of peace. But Peace in his terms has nothing to do with the real peace. Peace means to love every one as much as you love yourself, despite people differences in religion, culture, etc.

Peace be with you

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