Myths about Jihad Myths about Jihad in Islamin Islam

Their ClarificationsTheir Clarifications

OutlineOutlineWhat are common myths about Jihad?What are common myths about Jihad?What does Islam mean?What does Islam mean?Definition of JihadDefinition of Jihad4 Main types of Jihad (Imam Ibnul Qayyam)4 Main types of Jihad (Imam Ibnul Qayyam)Aim of JihadAim of JihadElements of JihadElements of Jihad2 Levels of Jihad2 Levels of JihadSignificance of JihadSignificance of JihadQitaal or War in Islam Qitaal or War in Islam Was Islam spread by sword?Was Islam spread by sword?Violence/Terrorism against civilians/SuicideViolence/Terrorism against civilians/SuicideClash of CivilizationsClash of CivilizationsConclusionConclusion

Myths about JihadMyths about Jihad

1- “Jihad" is generally translated as "holy 1- “Jihad" is generally translated as "holy war", a usage the media has popularized.war", a usage the media has popularized.

2- Claim is made that Islam is spread by 2- Claim is made that Islam is spread by force, swords or guns.force, swords or guns.

3-Jihad is wrongly equated with acts of 3-Jihad is wrongly equated with acts of violence/terrorism against civilians and violence/terrorism against civilians and suicide bombings.suicide bombings.

4-It is claimed that Islam and The Quran 4-It is claimed that Islam and The Quran promote a clash of civilizationspromote a clash of civilizations

What does Islam mean ?What does Islam mean ?

Islam= s-l-m; Peace, Submission, Islam= s-l-m; Peace, Submission, SalvationSalvation

Order, Harmony, and IntegrityOrder, Harmony, and Integrity

Within one’s soul and societyWithin one’s soul and society

Definition of JihadDefinition of Jihad

‘‘Jihad' is a common Arabic word meaning to Jihad' is a common Arabic word meaning to strive/struggle or exert effortstrive/struggle or exert effort

It is used in different ways depending on It is used in different ways depending on context in The Quran. context in The Quran.

The Quran commands believers to exert efforts The Quran commands believers to exert efforts in the cause of God, using their wealth and in the cause of God, using their wealth and themselves. themselves.

This effort/jihad may or may not include fighting.This effort/jihad may or may not include fighting.

It does not have a meaning of 'holy war' or It does not have a meaning of 'holy war' or 'fighting‘. There is no “Harb Muqaddas” in Islam'fighting‘. There is no “Harb Muqaddas” in Islam

4 Main Types of Jihad4 Main Types of Jihad(Imam Ibnul Qayyam)(Imam Ibnul Qayyam)

1- Jihad Bin Nafs (At personal level)1- Jihad Bin Nafs (At personal level)

2- Jihad Bi Shaitan ( With Satan)2- Jihad Bi Shaitan ( With Satan)

3-Jihad Bil Kuffar (Hostile Enemies)3-Jihad Bil Kuffar (Hostile Enemies)

4-Jihad Bi Ahluz Zulm, ( Unjust)4-Jihad Bi Ahluz Zulm, ( Unjust)

Ahlul Bida’a, (Changing Deen)Ahlul Bida’a, (Changing Deen)

Ahlul Munkirat.(Sinful)Ahlul Munkirat.(Sinful)

1-Jihad Bin Nafs1-Jihad Bin Nafs

1- Striving to acquire knowledge1- Striving to acquire knowledge

2- Striving hard to implement what one 2- Striving hard to implement what one has learned.has learned.

3- Striving to deliver the message and 3- Striving to deliver the message and teach those who are unaware of it.teach those who are unaware of it.

4-Striving to be patient in the face of 4-Striving to be patient in the face of hardships in the way of Da'wahhardships in the way of Da'wah

2- Jihad Bi Shaitan2- Jihad Bi Shaitan

1- To disregard misgivings and doubts he 1- To disregard misgivings and doubts he raises to invalidate Iman. This brings raises to invalidate Iman. This brings certitude in faith.certitude in faith.

2- Ignoring his temptations to erroneous 2- Ignoring his temptations to erroneous desires and intentions. This brings desires and intentions. This brings patience and steadfastness.patience and steadfastness.

Surely, Shaitan is an enemy to you, so treat Surely, Shaitan is an enemy to you, so treat him as an enemy. 35:6him as an enemy. 35:6

3-Jihad Bil Kuffar/Munafiqeen3-Jihad Bil Kuffar/Munafiqeen

1- With heart1- With heart

2- With tongue2- With tongue

3- With wealth3- With wealth

4- With self (body)4- With self (body)

4- Jihad against those who 4- Jihad against those who practice injustice,innovation,sin. practice injustice,innovation,sin.

1- With hand1- With hand

2- With tongue2- With tongue

3- With heart3- With heart

Abu Saeed Khudri (R) reported that Prophet Abu Saeed Khudri (R) reported that Prophet (SAW) said,” Whoso amongst you sees an (SAW) said,” Whoso amongst you sees an evil, he should remove it by hand. If he can’t evil, he should remove it by hand. If he can’t do that, then he should speak against it. If he do that, then he should speak against it. If he can‘t do that, he should feel bad about it. can‘t do that, he should feel bad about it. This is the weakest level of Iman.”This is the weakest level of Iman.”

Aim of JihadAim of Jihad

To be purified of sinsTo be purified of sins

To attain true humanityTo attain true humanity

To achieve order peace and harmony To achieve order peace and harmony within the soul and societywithin the soul and society

Two Elements of JihadTwo Elements of Jihad

Spreading the Word of GodSpreading the Word of God

Enjoining Good, Forbidding EvilEnjoining Good, Forbidding Evil

Two levels of JihadTwo levels of Jihad

Greater JihadGreater Jihad– To overcome the carnal desires and To overcome the carnal desires and

inclinations inclinations

Lesser JihadLesser Jihad– Every action for the sake of GodEvery action for the sake of God

Significance of JihadSignificance of Jihad

Sixth pillar of Islamic practiceSixth pillar of Islamic practiceProblems in translationsProblems in translations““O you who believe! Do your duty to Allah and O you who believe! Do your duty to Allah and fear Him. Seek the means of approach to Him, fear Him. Seek the means of approach to Him, and strive hard in His Cause as much as you can. and strive hard in His Cause as much as you can. So that you may be successful.” (Maide, 35)So that you may be successful.” (Maide, 35)

War or Qitaal in IslamWar or Qitaal in Islam

War= Only when inevitable, when War= Only when inevitable, when preaching is prevented, when Muslims are preaching is prevented, when Muslims are oppressedoppressed

No transgression (2:190)No transgression (2:190)

2- Islam was spread by sword?2- Islam was spread by sword?

A-”Invite to the way of your Lord with A-”Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best.” [16:125]them in a way that is best.” [16:125]

B-There is no compulsion in religion:B-There is no compulsion in religion:

Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the evil and believes in God has grasped the most sure hand-hold, that never breaks. And most sure hand-hold, that never breaks. And God is Hearing, Knowing. [2:256]God is Hearing, Knowing. [2:256]

Islam did not spread by swordIslam did not spread by sword

C-Many places where Muslim armies went to C-Many places where Muslim armies went to liberate people or the land, they did carry the liberate people or the land, they did carry the sword as that was the weapon used at that time. sword as that was the weapon used at that time. However, Islam did not spread by the sword, However, Islam did not spread by the sword, e.g., India where Muslms ruled for 700 years but e.g., India where Muslms ruled for 700 years but remained a minority.remained a minority.

D- Muslims ruled Spain (Al-Andalus) for about D- Muslims ruled Spain (Al-Andalus) for about 800 years. During this period the Christians and 800 years. During this period the Christians and Jews enjoyed freedom to practice their Jews enjoyed freedom to practice their respective religionsrespective religions

Islam did not spread by swordIslam did not spread by sword

E-Countries such as Egypt, Morocco, E-Countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan all Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan all have significant Christian and Jewish have significant Christian and Jewish populations.populations.

F-Indonesia (the country with the largest F-Indonesia (the country with the largest Muslims population!), Malaysia, China, and Muslims population!), Malaysia, China, and many parts of Africa, there are no records of many parts of Africa, there are no records of any Muslim armies going there. any Muslim armies going there.

The historian De Lacy O’Leary The historian De Lacy O’Leary

“ “History makes it clear however, that the History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated.”myths that historians have ever repeated.”

3- Violence/terrorism against 3- Violence/terrorism against civilians/suicide bombings.civilians/suicide bombings.

The Quran clearly states fight those who fight The Quran clearly states fight those who fight you, not non-combatants or civilians:you, not non-combatants or civilians:

Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not but do not transgress limits; for God loves not aggressors. [2:190]aggressors. [2:190]

Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loves those who are just. with them: for Allah loves those who are just. [60:8][60:8]

Sanctity of Life Sanctity of Life

For this reason did We prescribe to the For this reason did We prescribe to the children of Israel that whoever kills a soul, children of Israel that whoever kills a soul, unless it be for murder or for corruption in unless it be for murder or for corruption in the land, it is as though he killed all men; the land, it is as though he killed all men; and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept alive all men; and certainly Our he kept alive all men; and certainly Our messengers came to them with clear messengers came to them with clear arguments... [5:32]arguments... [5:32]

Emphasis on opting for Emphasis on opting for forgiveness, peace forgiveness, peace

But if the enemy incline towards peace, then But if the enemy incline towards peace, then you also incline towards peace, and trust in you also incline towards peace, and trust in Allah: for He is One that hears and knows Allah: for He is One that hears and knows (all things). [8:61](all things). [8:61]

God guides with it (The Quran) whoever God guides with it (The Quran) whoever follows His acceptance, to the ways of follows His acceptance, to the ways of peace; and He brings them out of the peace; and He brings them out of the darkness and into the light by His leave; and darkness and into the light by His leave; and He guides them to a Straight Path. [5:16]He guides them to a Straight Path. [5:16]

4- Suicide Bombing4- Suicide Bombing

A suicide attack (also known as suicide A suicide attack (also known as suicide bombing or "kamikaze") is an attack bombing or "kamikaze") is an attack intended to kill others and inflict intended to kill others and inflict widespread damage, in which the attacker widespread damage, in which the attacker expects or intends to die in the processexpects or intends to die in the process

4- Suicide Bombing4- Suicide Bombing

And do not kill yourselves; God is Merciful And do not kill yourselves; God is Merciful towards you. Whoever does so out of towards you. Whoever does so out of animosity and transgression, We will cast animosity and transgression, We will cast him into a fire; and this for God is very him into a fire; and this for God is very easy. If you avoid the major sins that you easy. If you avoid the major sins that you are forbidden against, then We will cancel are forbidden against, then We will cancel your existing sins and admit you to a your existing sins and admit you to a generous entrance. [4:29-31]generous entrance. [4:29-31]

Suicide is prohibitedSuicide is prohibited

The Prophet said, '...whoever commits The Prophet said, '...whoever commits suicide with a piece of iron will be suicide with a piece of iron will be punished with the same piece of iron in the punished with the same piece of iron in the Hell Fire," and "A man was inflicted with Hell Fire," and "A man was inflicted with wounds and he committed suicide, and so wounds and he committed suicide, and so Allah said: My slave has caused death on Allah said: My slave has caused death on himself hurriedly, so I forbid Paradise for himself hurriedly, so I forbid Paradise for him.“ Bukharihim.“ Bukhari

5-Clash of civilizations5-Clash of civilizations(Samuel P Huntington 1993) (Samuel P Huntington 1993) Differences based on history, language, Differences based on history, language, region, religion, tradition, culture as they region, religion, tradition, culture as they are more fundamental and stable are more fundamental and stable

World becomes “smaller”, interactions and World becomes “smaller”, interactions and awareness of differences increases.awareness of differences increases.

West is at the peak of its power; non-West West is at the peak of its power; non-West wants to shape the world in non-Western wants to shape the world in non-Western waysways

Economics regionalism increasing.Economics regionalism increasing.

Why clash of civilization?Why clash of civilization?

Efforts are being made to un-secularize Efforts are being made to un-secularize the world through revival of religion in the the world through revival of religion in the middle class youth.middle class youth.

Asianization of Japan, Mayasia, Singapore Asianization of Japan, Mayasia, Singapore is followed by Islamization in some Muslim is followed by Islamization in some Muslim countries.countries.

Cultural differences hard to compromiseCultural differences hard to compromise

Religion also divides peopleReligion also divides people

Types and history of conflictsTypes and history of conflicts

Types:Types:

ideological;ideological;

ethnic;ethnic;

economical and etc.economical and etc.

History:History:

wars between kings, emperors, monarchs;wars between kings, emperors, monarchs;

World War I;World War I;

Cold War and etc.Cold War and etc.

Next? Cultural conflict!!! ( Huntington S)Next? Cultural conflict!!! ( Huntington S)

Levels of clash of civilizationsLevels of clash of civilizations

Macro-levelMacro-level

Competition for power (economic, military and etc.), Competition for power (economic, military and etc.), struggle for taking control over international struggle for taking control over international processes by states;processes by states;

Micro-levelMicro-level

Struggle for different kind of power (economic, Struggle for different kind of power (economic, military, territorial integrity or self-determination) military, territorial integrity or self-determination) of groups with neighborhood from different of groups with neighborhood from different civilization.civilization.

Islam’s responseIslam’s response

It is a fallacy that civilizations are exclusive It is a fallacy that civilizations are exclusive and can not co exist.and can not co exist.

Islam recognizes and respects multiple Islam recognizes and respects multiple cultures and promotes dialoguecultures and promotes dialogue

Search for common global universal values Search for common global universal values in neighboring civilizationsin neighboring civilizations

Regional and universal alliances and Regional and universal alliances and cooperation for the good of humanitycooperation for the good of humanity

To resolve conflicts by negotiationTo resolve conflicts by negotiation

ConclusionConclusion

Jihad in Islam is striving in the way of Allah Jihad in Islam is striving in the way of Allah by pen, tongue, hand, media and, if by pen, tongue, hand, media and, if inevitable, with arms. inevitable, with arms.

However, jihad in Islam does not include However, jihad in Islam does not include striving for individual or national power, striving for individual or national power, dominance, glory, wealth, prestige or dominance, glory, wealth, prestige or pride. pride.

Muhammad (SAW) was committed to Muhammad (SAW) was committed to peace and justice in the world, peace and justice in the world,

ConclusionConclusion

Muslim is to be a peace maker, one who mitigates Muslim is to be a peace maker, one who mitigates conflicts and nurtures goodwill for the whole conflicts and nurtures goodwill for the whole humanity. humanity.

A Muslim is one who works on contributing A Muslim is one who works on contributing towards benefiting God's creation; life and towards benefiting God's creation; life and matter through social service. matter through social service.

He also plants the seeds to benefit the future He also plants the seeds to benefit the future wayfarers with its shade or fruit.wayfarers with its shade or fruit.

Muslim is one who cares for his neighbors. Muslim is one who cares for his neighbors. We have to earn the respect of the community as We have to earn the respect of the community as

the trustworthy, the peace makers and the the trustworthy, the peace makers and the Amins. Amins.