Jihad

Jihad has a great significance in the lives of Muslims. It is, in fact, a religious obligation. And, like any religious obligation, if it is not followed, a punishment is the consequence. But what is its true meaning?

Like any language, Arabic has unique words which have a particular meaning which cannot be translated precisely. The best translation known for such a word is the following: a sincere and noticeable effort (for good); an all true and unselfish striving for spiritual good.

Furthermore, there are two forms of Jihad, in Islam. These are: Jihad al-Akbar (major Jihad) and Jihad al-Asghar (minor Jihad).

The Jihad al-Akbar involves noticeable effort for righteousness. This means that the effort concentrated in the Jihad is a step in the true and ultimate path of Islam; the effort imposed on one's self. Thus Jihad al-Akbar is solely individual, self-centred and self-interested. This effort is only the doing of good for salvation and pardon of God. The Quran points this out in the following verse: On the Day every soul will come up pleading for itself, and every soul will be recompensed (fully) for all its actions, and none will be unjustly dealt with (16:111). " On the Day where every soul will be confronted with all the good it has done, and all the evil it has done, it will wish therewere a great distance between it and its evil. But God cautions you (to fear) Him and God is full of kindness to those that serve Him (3:30)." In respect to the Quranic verse, God tells the believers that all acts will reflect the soul of their authors. That is why this Jihad is known as Jihad al-Akbar (major Jihad); the individual acts and intentions are crucial to the Muslim; that is by which he/she is judged. Examples of Jihad al-Akbar would be to exceed in the sincere act of good deeds (to frequent the mosques more often; to frequent and stay in good terms with friends and neighbors, etc.) and the restraining of the doing of sins (to commit adultery, to steel, to lie, to gossip, etc.); If any do deeds of righteousness,-be they male or female and have faith, they will enter Heaven and not least injustice will be done to them (4:124). The previous Quranic verse highlights the meaning of Jihad and its role. It has also mentioned the importance of the sincerity when it is practised.

Contrary to Jihad al-Akbar (major Jihad), Jihad al-Asghar (minor Jihad) has a particular emphasis on collectivity. This Jihad is the actions of a group or community. Before one can strive for justice in his/her community, justice must be one of his/her main religiousand moral principles; in different circumstances, justice would not be properly practised in the community. Perhaps that is why Jihad al-Akbar (major Jihad) has greater importance than Jihad al-Asghar (minor Jihad).

Jihad al-Asghar (minor Jihad) is also reflects the war aspects in Islam. The fighting of a war in the name justice or Islam, sincerely, would also be considered a Jihad al-Asghar (minor Jihad). And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline) (22:78). The previous Quranic verse incites man to fight, with sincerity and discipline, in the name of God. The following Quranic verses tells man to fight not only in the name of God, but in the name of justice too: If any do deeds of righteousness,-be they male or female and have faith, they will enter Heaven and not least injustice will be done to them (4:124). But no by thy Lord, they can have no (real) Faith. Until they make thee judge in all disputes between them. And find in their souls no resistance against Thy decision, but accept them with the fullest conviction (4:65). O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witness to God , even as against yourselves, or your parents, or the kin and whether it be (against) rich or poor: For God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye distort (justice), verily God iswell-acquainted with all that ye do (4:135). Since this verse shows that God accept only justice, fighting in the name of God is also fighting in the name of justice. But, contrary to many people's interpretation, Jihad is anything but a holy war; the media and public misunderstand this.

In the light and essence of Islam and the Quran, there is no war which is holy; this, under any circumstances whatsoever. In fact the whole text of the Quran and the religion of Islam revolves around the concept of peace. To many people's ignorance, Islam is a word derived from the Arabic word Salaam meaning peace. To Islam, seen as war is unholy, Jihad must mean anything but holy war. ...and (punishment for) strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution or crucifixion...A heavy punishment is theirs in the Hearafter (5:33)... Obviously, Islam condemns those who fight and practise war.

Only under the conditions of self-defense and in the name of God, for the preservation of justice and freedom is war permitted. In Islam, even the practise of war is to be have a proper procedure. Islam condemns barbaric killing of enemies; the killing (if the adversaries attack or provoke) must be to a degree where the least suffering is inflicted. The killing must be done only on the fighters or soldiers, not on the civilians, provided they do not attack or provoke. The war musted be conducted in the most disciplined and justful fashion. It can even be furthermore analyzed; the practise of war must be not lead to colonization or control over other sources of wealth. The enemies, even when at war, must be treated justly.

It is important to understand that taking action in the Jihad constitutes of only a small fraction of the total meaning and proper practise of Jihad. The main part and essence of the true meaning of Jihad is reflects and acts upon one's self. This is the major and most important part of Jihad and must be practised first before taking action in the Jihad al-Asghar (minor Jihad). The meaning the media gives to this word is false. This word does not mean a holy war, for there is nothing holy about a war in Islam. There are times when war is tolerated, permitted and even, in some case, to a point accepted, but never considered holy. It is impossible *perhaps that is why little opposition wasdone to the spread of Islam in the VII and IX centuries. for a religion, whose name is derived from the word peace, to have war as a holy aspect. Islam is a religion of peace, no matter what certain media or deranged individuals say or claim. Islam revolves around the concept of peace. They will not there hear any vain discourse, but only salvation of Peace: and they will have therein their sustenance, morning and evening.(19:62) But if the enemy incline towards peace; and trust in God: for He is the One that hearth and knoweth. (8:61).