True meaning of Jihad

Submitted by Mahdi (South Africa), Nov 19, 2002 at 08:53

Mr Pipes is almost right in his assessment of Jihad – yes physical jihad is the stronger aspect, while the spiritual jihad is secondary. However, the former can only be applied (I) WHEN THE CONDITIONS FOR JIHAD ARE TO BE FOUND (II) WHEN JIHAD IS DECLARED BY CREDIBLE RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY IN THE COMMUNITY. Osama Bin Laden is not a religious authority in any community or country. The conditions for physical Jihad in Islam are when Islam/Muslims are either prevented from practising their religion (some provinces in China), where innocent Muslims are slaughtered or driven from their homes (Palestine, Chechniyah, Bosnia, Kosovo). Declaring jihad against western countries like USA & Britain cannot be justified in pure Islamic terms – not by bin Laden or anyone else because the reasons above are not to be found !.

Yes, Muslims the world over ( myself included) hold these countries in contempt for their double standards in Palestine, supporting puppet regimes in Middle East, etc. Millions of non-Mulsims citizens in these countries are also highly critical of their governments (see antiwar.com, counterpunch.com. salon.com )

The viewpoint that Muslims wage jihad against fellow Muslims who do not practice their religion is rejected by Sunni Muslims (historically first done by the Kharijites at the time of Caliph Ali).


Mahdi

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