Ask an American Muslim

Submitted by Ron (United States), Dec 31, 2002 at 12:46

Ask an American Muslim...especially one who has converted to Islam while away at college, and he will explain that Jihad means "inner struggle," as though it meant simply controlling one's anger, as Pipes says.

The Koran very clearly indicates the contrary. More importantly, as Pipes notes, violent Jihad, which is actually occurring around the globe, also indicates the contrary.

The American convert to Islam would have you believe that 90% of the Muslim population worldwide is incorrect in thier understanding of Islam, and that it is only those Muslims like himself who follow the "true Islam." Your American convert to Islam in fact demonstrates a quintessentially American quality, in even considering that religion is something one chooses based on what is right for them; and further by selecting which elements of that religion are to be emphasized. Usually he will emphasize those elements that are consistent with his other American values, such as freedom of expression and acceptance of diversity--a tricky move, if he picks Islam as his new religion. Not tricky at all if he picks an inclusive, tolerant religion such as Hinduism. And Hinduism is so much cooler! But that is off the point.

Bin Laden, and the Taliban, follow true Islam--not the American college student who creatively explains away the distasteful elements such as Jihad. Inner struggle! Come on, that's retarded! Oh, I need to drop a few pounds after the holiday...better go on a Jihad against my inclination to stay home rather than getting to the gym. Better start engaging in a Holy War against my beer belly, which is starting to become quite an infidel lately, indeed.

Well, I suppose that as an American, my number one duty is to not judge other religions, and so I had better come up with an explanation for Jihad that is non-violent, even if those already offered are not sufficient. Because it cannot be the case that Islam is a violent religion. Hmmm, how about if we say that "Jihad" means "let's party," so that it comes to represent the enthusiastic element of religion, like people dancing and speaking in tongues; thus, Islamic Jihadis are simply partying, and as they do so they like to wave around guns and swords. Sometimes people get in the way, but that is purely accidental. Hmmm, well, I will think about it some more. If anyone can suggest another benign explanation of Jihad, I would very much appreciate it, as a tolerant American.

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