Definition: Jihad, the Arabic word Jihad literally translates to struggle, be that with oneself or an external factor.
Sorry but the translator of the "Noble" koran gives a fuller and better explanation of jihad. One that encapsulates all of it's "nuances".
Noble Qur'an:2:190 Footnote: "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."
We have all heard this same misrepresentation of jihad up here before. The main flaw in your argument is that Muhammad taught his followers to fight. LITERALLY.
The term "Holy War" is un-Islamic. It was mainly coined by Christians back during the crusades. In Islam though, there are no holy or unholy wars. There's simply a justified war and an unjustified war.
Again the Islamic clerics disagree with you.
The world considers war, whenever it is for the sake of defense to be holy. If it is in self-defense, it is holy. If it is for the defense of one's nation, it is more holy, for the cause has grown from a personal one to a national one, and the individual is not simply defending himself but is also defending the other individuals that make up his society. And if the defense shifts from a national to a humanitarian cause, it again becomes a degree more holy. by Ayatullah Morteza Mutahhari
The connotations can't be missed when a new terrorist attack is made everyday. As far as justified and unjustified go it all depends on what is justification for violence. for Muhammad simply being rejected as a prophet or being insulted was enough to spur him to murder.
Unlike the way people now look at things, Islam doesn't view the world as countries. There are 2 types of land in Islam; Moslem land and non-Moslem land. In Islam, if a Moslem land is under attack, then it is considered an attack on the entire Moslem land, and requires action from the entire Moslem nation, regardless of which country is being attacked
We all know about the "house of peace" and "house of war" view that Islam holds. It makes it that much more disturbing. And I must commend you for telling half the truth. It is true that muslims are always ready to attack people they think are encroaching on muslim land. The propblem is that they are convinced that the land of Israel is thiers. It is not. Even the koran admits God promised it to Isaac and his descendants.
A Moslem is required to deliver the message of Allah (SWT) to the whole of mankind. Mohammad (PBUH) was God's final messenger, and therefore every Moslem till the day of judgment is obliged to deliver the message to those who don't know it. What they do with it after they have received it is their own business, but they must know it so that they can enjoin the right path or at least have no excuse of not hearing about it when they stand in front of Allah (SWT) individually and are asked why they didn't believe in Him.
Either you are practicing taqiyyah or are just not that well read on the koran. It states emphatically that non-muslims are to be subdued until their is no more unbelief and for those who don't accept Islam they must die.
Prior tothe last century or 2, preaching Islam in a non-Moslem nation was fully forbidden by any and all rulers of non-Moslem countries -same for any other religion that doesn't comply with the ruler's own. Of course, this poses a problem when it comes to people receiving the message of Islam. Therefore, there was the Jihad of calling -or Jihad of preaching- where Moslems were to open a country, preach Islam to the people and then let them do what they want with what they've heard afterwards.
Are you aware of how muslims try to open a country to Islam?
if such a regime sets itself up as a barrier to the call of truth (Islam), is it permissible to fight against it until it falls and the barrier against the call broken down, or is this not permissible?
Yes, this is also permissible. This would be for the cause of defense. This would be one of those jihads, the actual nature of which is defense. by Ayatullah Morteza Mutahhari
So in other words. If I don't like Islam and decide to keep it out of my country, which is my right as a leader, then muslims have the right to fight me and my forces until I submit. And this is a defensive war how? Islam can only maintain the illusion that it is a religion of peace by redefining words that westerners take for granted as self explanatory.
In my -and most Islamic leaders now- opinion, this type of Jihad is no longer needed, because Moslems can now deliver the message of Allah (SWT) without need for war. In fact, 9/11 -being an inside job as we all now know and all- has opened a huge door for people to understand Islam better; those who want to anyway. But now there is no excuse for anyone to say "I didn't know a religion called Islam existed". Tens of thousands of people started knowing about Islam since 2001 because it was advertised -wrongly as it may be- that this was an Islamic deed, and have embraced Islam ever since.
So your contention is that the 9/11 attacks were ultimately good because it opened the door for Islam. While you may believe such an attack to be a misrepresentation of Islam Muhammad would have disagreed with you. Furthermore their is no evidence that this is an inside job. In fact al-quada took credit for it. You should tell the families of those muslim "martyrs" that they were not really muslim. Those who choose not to fight were counted among the unbelievers. And we all know what fate Islam has in store for them.
In Islam, the word means both self-struggling to achieve perfection, which was termed by the Prophet of Islam Mohammad (PBUH) as the greater struggle -much harder than war that is, and the second meaning is struggling against an enemy. Self-struggle is greater than war because at war, all you need to do is have heart for a few days or even months, and everything would be over one way or the other. Self-struggle on the other hand requires life-long struggle with oneself to do what is right, and is what organizes even the war Jihad as we will see later.
If Muhammad really considered fighting to be the "lesser" jihad then why is so much of the koran centered on the jihad of violence. More to the point I believe Muhammad probably did have a harder time convincing the muslims that their inner struggle was the core of Islam when anyone with eyes and a brain can see the truth of its' violent teachings.
Qur'an:9:88 "The Messenger and those who believe with him, strive hard and fight with their wealth and lives in Allah's Cause."
Can someone use wealth and their lives to struggle inwardly?
Qur'an:9:5 "Fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, harass them, lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war."
Hard to kill the unbelievers if your struggle is inward.
Qur'an:9:112 "The Believers fight in Allah's Cause, they slay and are slain, kill and are killed."
Do we kill or slay inwardly? And if so can we in turn be killed or slain inwardly?
Qur'an:9:29 "Fight those who do not believe until they all surrender, paying the protective tax in submission."
Hard to imagine a moral struggle paying a tax to anyone.
Qur'an:8:39 "Fight them until all opposition ends and all submit to Allah."
All who? Your emotions? Your thoughts?
Qur'an:8:39 "So fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief [non-Muslims]) and all submit to the religion of Allah alone (in the whole world)."
So an inward struggle can somehow cause others to submit to the religion of Allah. Huh...and here I thought it required real action.
You get the picture. I hope. The rest of these verses show, as the ones above do, that Islam is not peaceful in the least. Anyone who has told you that is either deluded, ignorant, lying or insane.
Qur'an:9:14 "Fight them and Allah will punish them by your hands, lay them low, and cover them with shame. He will help you over them."
Qur'an:8:65 "O Prophet, urge the faithful to fight. If there are twenty among you with determination they will vanquish two hundred; if there are a hundred then they will slaughter a thousand unbelievers, for the infidels are a people devoid of understanding."
Qur'an:9:38 "Believers, what is the matter with you, that when you are asked to go forth and fight in Allah's Cause you cling to the earth? Do you prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? Unless you go forth, He will afflict and punish you with a painful doom, and put others in your place."
Qur'an:9:123 "Fight the unbelievers around you, and let them find harshness in you."
Qur'an:8:72 "Those who accepted Islam and left their homes to fight in Allah's Cause with their possessions and persons, and those who gave (them) asylum, aid, and shelter, those who harbored them - these are allies of one another. You are not responsible for protecting those who embraced Islam but did not leave their homes [to fight] until they do so." [Another translation reads:] "You are only called to protect Muslims who fight."
Qur'an:8:73 "The unbelieving infidels are allies. Unless you (Muslims) aid each other (fighting as one united block to make Allah's religion victorious), there will be confusion and mischief. Those who accepted Islam, left their homes to fight in Allah's Cause (al-Jihad), as well as those who give them asylum, shelter, and aid - these are (all) Believers: for them is pardon and bountiful provision (in Paradise)."
Qur'an:48:16 "Say (Muhammad) to the wandering desert Arabs who lagged behind: 'You shall be invited to fight against a people given to war with mighty prowess. You shall fight them until they surrender and submit. If you obey, Allah will grant you a reward, but if you turn back, as you did before, He will punish you with a grievous torture."
Qur'an:48:22 "If the unbelieving infidels fight against you, they will retreat. (Such has been) the practice (approved) of Allah in the past: no change will you find in the ways of Allah."
Qur'an:47:4 "When you clash with the unbelieving Infidels in battle (fighting Jihad in Allah's Cause), smite their necks until you overpower them, killing and wounding many of them. At length, when you have thoroughly subdued them, bind them firmly, making (them) captives. Thereafter either generosity or ransom (them based upon what benefits Islam) until the war lays down its burdens. Thus are you commanded by Allah to continue carrying out Jihad against the unbelieving infidels until they submit to Islam."
Qur'an:47:31 "And We shall try you until We know those among you who are the fighters."
Qur'an:9:19 "Do you make the giving of drink to pilgrims, or the maintenance of the Mosque, equal to those who fight in the Cause of Allah? They are not comparable in the sight of Allah. Those who believe, and left their homes, striving with might, fighting in Allah's Cause with their goods and their lives, have the highest rank in the sight of Allah."
Qur'an:5:94 "Believers, Allah will make a test for you in the form of a little game in which you reach out for your lances. Any who fails this test will have a grievous punishment."
Qur'an:2:193 "Fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief) and religion is only for Allah. But if they cease/desist, let there be no hostility except against infidel disbelievers."
Qur'an:2:217 "They question you concerning fighting in the sacred month. Say: 'Fighting therein is a grave (matter); but to prevent access to Allah, to deny Him, to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, to expel its members, and polytheism are worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease fighting you until they make you renegades from your religion. If any of you turn back and die in unbelief, your works will be lost and you will go to Hell. Surely those who believe and leave their homes to fight in Allah's Cause have the hope of Allah's mercy."
Qur'an:2:244 "Fight in Allah's Cause, and know that Allah hears and knows all."
Qur'an:2:246 "He said: 'Would you refrain from fighting if fighting were prescribed for you?' They said: 'How could we refuse to fight in Allah's Cause?'"
Qur'an:61:2 "O Muslims, why say one thing and do another? Grievously odious and hateful is it in the sight of Allah that you say that which you do not. Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in a battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure."
Qur'an:3:146 "How many prophets fought in Allah's Cause? With them (fought) myriads of godly men who were slain. They never lost heart if they met with disaster in Allah's Cause, nor did they weaken nor give in. Allah loves those who are firm and steadfast [warriors]."
Qur'an:3:153 "Behold! You ran off precipitately, climbing up the high hill without even casting a side glance at anyone, while the Messenger in your rear is calling you from your rear, urging you to fight. Allah gave you one distress after another by way of requital, to teach you not to grieve for the booty that had escaped you and for (the ill) that had befallen you."
Qur'an:3:154 "Say: 'Even if you had remained in your houses, those ordained to be slaughtered would have gone forth to the places where they were to slain."
Qur'an:61:4 "Surely Allah loves those who fight in His Cause."
Qur'an:61:11 "Believers, shall I lead you to a bargain or trade that will save you from a painful torment? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and that you strive and fight in Allah's Cause with your property and your lives: That will be best for you!"
Qur'an 61:12 "He will forgive you your sins, and admit you to Gardens under which rivers flow, and to beautiful mansions in Eden: that is indeed the Supreme Achievement. And another (favor) which you love: help from Allah for a speedy victory over your enemies."
Qur'an:8:5 "Your Lord ordered you out of your homes to fight for the true cause, even though some Muslims disliked it, and were averse (to fighting)."
Qur'an:24:53 "They swear their strongest oaths saying that if only you would command them. They would leave their homes (and go forth fighting in Allah's Cause). Say: 'Swear not; Obedience is (more) reasonable.'"
Qur'an:4:74 "Let those who fight in Allah's Cause sell this world's life for the hereafter. To him who fights in Allah's Cause, whether he is slain or victorious, We shall give him a reward."
Qur'an:4:75 "What reason have you that you should not fight in Allah's Cause?" [Another translation says:] "What is wrong with you that you do not fight for Allah?"
Qur'an:4:76 "Those who believe fight in the Cause of Allah."
Qur'an:4:77 "Have you not seen those to whom it was said: Withhold from fighting, perform the prayer and pay the zakat. But when orders for fighting were issued, a party of them feared men as they ought to have feared Allah. They say: 'Our Lord, why have You ordained fighting for us, why have You made war compulsory?'"
Qur'an:4:78 "Wherever you are, death will find you, even if you are in towers strong and high! So what is wrong with these people, that they fail to understand these simple words?"
Qur'an:4:84 "Then fight (Muhammad) in Allah's Cause. Incite the believers to fight with you."
Qur'an:4:94 "Believers, when you go abroad to fight wars in Allah's Cause, investigate carefully, and say not to anyone who greets you: 'You are not a believer!' Coveting the chance profits of this life (so that you may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils and booty."
Qur'an:4:95 "Not equal are believers who sit home and receive no hurt and those who fight in Allah's Cause with their wealth and lives. Allah has granted a grade higher to those who fight with their possessions and bodies to those who sit home. Those who fight He has distinguished with a special reward."
Qur'an:4:100 "He who leaves his home in Allah's Cause finds abundant resources and many a refuge. Should he die as a refugee for Allah and His Messenger His reward becomes due and sure with Allah. When you travel through the earth there is no blame on you if you curtail your worship for fear unbelievers may attack you. In truth the disbelievers are your enemy."
Qur'an:4:102 "When you (Prophet) lead them in prayer, let some stand with you, taking their arms with them. When they finish their prostrations, let them take positions in the rear. And let others who have not yet prayed come - taking all precaution, and bearing arms. The Infidels wish, if you were negligent of your arms, to assault you in a rush. But there is no blame on you if you put away your arms because of the inconvenience of rain or because you are ill; but take precaution. For the Unbelieving Infidels Allah hath prepared a humiliating punishment."
Qur'an:4:104 "And do not relent in pursuing the enemy."
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." [Another translation reads:] "Warfare is ordained for you."
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 (at home). Unto each has Allah promised good, but He prefers Jihadists who strive hard and fight above those who sit home. He has distinguished his fighters with a huge reward."
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."
Qur'an:9:111 "Allah has purchased the believers, their lives and their goods. For them (in return) is the Garden (of Paradise). They fight in Allah's Cause, and they slay and are slain; they kill and are killed."
Qur'an:47:4 "So, when you clash with the unbelieving Infidels in battle (fighting Jihad in Allah's Cause), smite their necks until you overpower them, killing and wounding many of them. At length, when you have thoroughly subdued them, bind them firmly, making (them) captives. Thereafter either generosity or ransom (them based upon what benefits Islam) until the war lays down its burdens. Thus are you commanded by Allah to continue carrying out Jihad against the unbelieving infidels until they submit to Islam."
Qur'an:9:91 "There is no blame on those who are old, weak, ill, or who find no resources to spend (on Jihad, holy fighting), if they are sincere (in duty) to Allah and His Messenger."
Qur'an:9:122 "It is not proper for the Believers to all go forth together to fight Jihad. A troop from every expedition should remain behind when others go to war."
Qur'an:047.033 "Believers, obey Allah, and obey the Messenger! Those who disbelieve and hinder men from the Cause of Allah, He will not pardon. Do not falter; become faint-hearted, or weak-kneed, crying for peace. You have the upper hand."