Jihad
by M.A. Malek
A great deal of misconception exists, particularly in the
West, with regard to the meaning of the word jihad in Islam. In reality jihad
is a duty upon all Muslims to commit themselves to a struggle on all fronts --
moral, spiritual and political -- to create a just and decent society. It is
not -- as is commonly understood -- a 'holy war' against the non-believers. The
phrase 'holy war' was coined by the West in its struggle against the Muslims in
the time of the Crusades (a war instigated by the Church for 'religious' gain).
There are other words in Arabic which are more appropriate to use in a war. And
these words would surely have been applied had the idea of war been at the core
of the concept described in the Qur'an by the word jihad. Examples of such words are harb (war) and ma'araka
(battle). Below we quote the late Haji Ibrahim Golightly's response to a question on jihad.
“Jihad
means to strive or make an effort, usually in an Islamic context, so that
anything which requires an effort to be made is jihad and the person doing it is a mujahid. The media would have us
believe that it is fighting and killing in the name of Allah. It is certainly
in the name of Allah but, as usual, the media have corrupted the meaning so
that they can apply its new meaning to 'fundamentalist Muslims', basically any
Muslim who does not subscribe totally to the Western way of life. Making time
in a busy schedule to study the Qur'an; going to a halal butcher rather than the
closest or most convenient one; discussing Islam with both Muslims and
non-Muslims and helping them to understand it better; studying ayat (signs),
both of Qur'an and in nature and science, in order to increase 'ilm, or
knowledge; setting other Muslims a good example and showing non-Muslims the
true way of Muslims; are all examples of jihad
in daily life. Jihad is the effort
made, not just against internal and external evils, but also to live at peace
with oneself and one's community (Muslim and nonMuslim).”
He concludes by saying: “Simply explaining the true meaning
of jihad to those who do not know, is
jihad in itself.” In fact, the
implication of the word jihad, like
all other words, can only be judged in the context of the Qur'anic
verses in which it is used. The following are some typical verses, with
appropriate comments, to indicate what the Qur'an conveys by jihad. The material below, including
most of the translations are based on Chapter 5 of Maulana Muhammad Ali's book “The
Religion of Islam.”
(22:78) And
strive hard (jahidu)
for Allah with the endeavour which is right [...].
The jihad implies that one should exert oneself to one's utmost ability
(i.e., moral, spiritual or political) for the cause of Allah; to establish
Allah's Deen, without resorting to war.
(29:6) And
whoever strives hard (jahada),
he strives (yujahidu)
only for his own soul, that is for his own benefit, for Allah is altogether
Independent of (His) creatures.
(29:69) And
those who strive hard (jahadu)
for Us, We will certainly guide them in Our ways, and Allah is surely with the
doers of good.
The Arabic word jahadu is derived from jihad, and the addition of fina (for Us)
indicates that jihad, in this case,
is the spiritual striving to attain nearness to Allah, and the result of this jihad is stated to be Allah's guidance
for those striving in His ways.
(25:52) So
do not follow the unbelievers, and strive hard (jahid) against them a mighty
striving (jihadun)
with it.
The personal pronoun 'it' refers
clearly to the Qur'an, as the context will show. It is a struggle (jihad) to win over the unbelievers, not
with the sword but with the Qur'an.
(66:9) 0 Prophet! Strive (jahade) against
the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be stern with them [...]
Here the Prophet is asked to carry
on a jihad against both unbelievers
and hypocrites. The hypocrites were those who were outwardly Muslims and lived
among Muslims, and were treated like Muslims in all respects. They came to the
mosque and prayed with the Muslims. A war against them was unthinkable and none
was ever undertaken. They sometimes fought along with the Muslims against the
unbelievers. Therefore, the injunction to carry on a jihad against both the unbelievers and hypocrites could not mean
the waging of war against them. It was a jihad
in the same sense in which the word is used in the above verses, a jihad carried on by means of the Holy
Qur'an as expressly stated in 25:52, a striving hard to win them over to Islam.
Jihad in both 25:52 and 66:9 is used
in the moral and political sense. It does not imply war.
(2:218) Lo! Those who believe, and
those who emigrate (to escape persecution) and strive hard (jahadu) in the way of Allah,
these have hope of Allah's mercy. Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
(8:74) Those
who believe and left their homes and strove hard (jahadu) for the cause of Allah,
and those who took them in and helped them -- these are the believers in truth.
For them is pardon, and a bountiful provision.
(3:142) Or
deemed ye that ye would enter
In all of these verses, jihad
is used in the general sense of striving hard, morally, spiritually, and in our
day-to-day life. In all cases, jihad
implies a struggle in Allah's ways to achieve an objective, without resorting
to war.
References:
1. Jihad, Haji Ibrahim Golightly: A question & answer printed in The Message, the UIA magazine of July - September issue, 1995.
2. The
Religion of Islam, by Maulana Muhammad Ali M.A., Ll.B. Published by National Publication and Printing
House U.A.R. Based on chapter 5, pp. 545-595.
Posted August 21, 2009. This article was printed in the April-June
2009 issue of "The Message," a United Islamic Association (UIA) publication,