Definition of Jihad

Submitted by Henrik Ræder Clausen (Denmark), Oct 10, 2006 at 03:05

You left out an important footnote. In 'The Noble Quran', which is the translation distributed by the Saudis in millions of copy, a footnote to the mentioned 2:190 explains it in detail:

"Jihad is holy fighting in Allah's Cause with full force of numbers and weaponry. It is given the utmost importance in Islam and is one of its pillars. By Jihad Islam is established, Allah's Word is made superior (which means only Allah has the right to be worshiped), and Islam is propagated. By abandoning Jihad Islam is destroyed and Muslims fall into an inferior position; their honor is lost, their lands are stolen, their rule and authority vanish. Jihad is an obligatory duty in Islam on every Muslim. He who tries to escape from this duty, or does not fulfill this duty, dies as a hypocrite."

Definition settled, let's quote some real scripture:
Qur'an 2:216 "Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims), though you
dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and like a thing
which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you know not."

Qur'an 4:95 "Not equal are those believers who sit at home and receive no injurious hurt, and
those who strive hard, fighting Jihad in Allah's Cause with their wealth and lives. Allah has
granted a rank higher to those who strive hard, fighting Jihad with their wealth and bodies
to those who sit. Allah prefers Jihadists who strive hard and fight above those who sit
home. He has distinguished his fighters with a huge reward."

Bukhari:V4B52N44 "A man came to Allah's Apostle and said, ‘Instruct me as to such a deed as
equals Jihad in reward.' He replied, ‘I do not find such a deed.'"

Bukhari:V1B2N25 "Allah's Apostle was asked, ‘What is the best deed?' He replied, ‘To believe
in Allah and His Apostle Muhammad.' The questioner then asked, ‘What is the next best in
goodness?' He replied, ‘To participate in Jihad, religious fighting in Allah's Cause.'"

Qur'an 33:22 "Among the Believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah
and have gone out for Jihad (holy fighting). Some have completed their vow to extreme and
have been martyred fighting and dying in His Cause, and some are waiting, prepared for
death in battle."

So, did this satisfy your itch? I have plenty more if you care.

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