What is Jihad?

Submitted by Act Now (United States), Sep 24, 2006 at 23:25

What is Jihad?

Vinod Kumar

Jihad has been going on in the world ever since Islam was born in the seventh century but its latest manifestation has been, among other places, most notably in Palestine, Chechnya, and Kashmir. Even, in February 1998, when World Islamic Front issued a fatwa and a call for Jihad to "every Muslim who believes in Allah and wishes to be rewarded to comply with Allah's order to kill the Americans and plunder their money wherever and whenever they find it", it did not arouse much interest in the general public. It took direct assault on 9/11 on the fundamental symbols of what America stands for that it created some curiosity. Today, Jihad is, no doubt, one of the most discussed terms in America, if not the world.

What is Jihad? What drives a man to commit such horrendous acts against humanity? What motivates Islamic terrorists? Why do they operate under the name of Jihad?

And "Why do Muslims blow themselves up?" are common question everyone is seeking answers for.

Dr. Eyad Sarraj, a Palestinian psychiatrist answers (Newsweek, April 8, 2002)

"This is the influence of the Koran, the most potent and powerful book for the past 14 centuries. God promised Muslims who sacrificed for Islam. that they would not die. They will live on in paradise. Muslims hold to the promise literally."

How valid is this assertion?

For full article, go to

http://vinod11220.tripod.com/whatisjihad.htm

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".