Jihad -- what Muslim scholars say about it?

Submitted by Vinod Kumar (United States), Jan 17, 2003 at 14:28

Many Muslims will like us to believe that Jihad means non-violent struggle to improve oneself. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Sahih Al-Bukhari -- the traditions (Sunnah -- Hadis) of the Prophet is the second most important Book (after the Koran) for the Muslims. In introduction, in chapter named "The call to Jihad (fighitng for Allah's cause) in the Koran" to its translation, Dr.
Muhammad Muhsin Khan of Islamic University, Medina Al-Munawwara writes:

"Praise be to Allah who has ordained "Al-Jihad" (Fighting for Allah's Cause)

1. With the heart (intentions or feelings)

2. With the hand (weapons etc.)

3. With the tongue (speeches etc. in the cause of allah) and has rewarded the one who performs it with the high rooms in the gardens (of paradise).


The entire chapter is based on quotations from the Koran.

He writes "(T)hen Allah revealed Surah Bara'at (Repentence, IX) the order to discard (all) the obligations (covenants) and commanded the Muslims to fight against all the pagans as well as against the people of the scriptures (Jews and Christians) if they do not embrace Islam, till they pay Jizya (A tax levied on the Jews and Christians who do not embrace Islam and are under the protection of an Islamic government) with willing submission and feel themselves subdued (as it is revealed in the verse 9:29)."

He then writes:
"Allah made "the fighting" (Jihad) obligatory for the Muslims and gave importance to the subject matter of Jihad in all the suras (chapters of the Quran) which were revealed (at Medina) as it is in Allah's statement: "March forth whether you are light (being healthy, young and wealthy) or heavy (being ill, old and poor) and strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. That is better for you if you (but ) knew." (9:41)

Quoting verse 2:216 he explains:
"So the "fighitng"; even though by its nature is disliked by the human soul because of the liability, of bieng killed, or being taken a captive, or being injured, with the wasting of the wealth, the damaging of the industry, the destruction of the country, the spreading of fear and awe in the souls and the (possoibility) of being exiled from one's homeland. Allah has made ready an immensely good reward that can not be imagined by a human soul."

I need not furhter explain what Jihad is all about. The above from a Muslim scholar should suffice and if the non-Muslims are not willing to accept the basic facts, they do so at the risk of their own survival.

Vinod Kumar

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