Islam ” and other Islamic terms and concepts are grossly misunderstood in the West. Muslims can hardly find anyone to blame but themselves because (a) they have failed to live up to the Islamic ideals of our times, and (b) have failed to promote an understanding of Islam in the West through extension projects.
Some of the Islamic Terms
Islam: means a commitment to live in peace through submission to the Will of God (Allah).
Muslim: he is a person who pledges to live in peace through servitude to Allah.
Jihad: means “effort” and “fight” against evil thoughts, the action of evil and aggression against a person, family, society or country. Jihad can be a “justifiable war”, to borrow the Christian term.
Mujahid: is a person who gets involved in Jihad for the sake of Allah, according to the Koran (Muslim source book for guidance) and Sunnah (the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Mujahidin is the plural of Mujahid .
” Islamic terrorism “: There is no such phrase or term in the Islamic sources of the Qur’an or Sunnah and has no place in Islam.
Sunnah: Sunnah is the preferred path of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which includes his teachings. Sunnah’s sources are authentic Hadith (reports of the Prophet’s statements, deeds and approvals).
The True Meaning of “Jihad”
Jihad is generally associated with Islam and Muslims, but in fact, the concept of Jihad is found in all religions, including Christianity, Judaism and political / economic ideologies, such as capitalism, socialism, communism etc., for improvement, as well as fight to defend yourself, honor, property and homeland. Furthermore, Jihad is interpreted as the fight against evil, internal or external, by a person or a society. Jihad in Islam means doing anything, but not being limited to the following:
Learn, teach and practice Islam in all aspects of life at all times to achieve the highest and best education in order to benefit yourself, your family and society.
Being a messenger of Islam everywhere, in all behavior and actions.
Fight against evil and injustice with all the person’s power by the hand (action), with the tongue (speak) or at least with the heart (prayer).
Respond to the call to Jihad with money, effort, wisdom and life; however, never fight against a Muslim brother, a Muslim country or a non-Muslim society that respects its treaties and does not harbor aggressive projects against Islam or Muslims.
Suicide under any pretext is not tolerated as Jihad in Islam.
Converting people to Islam by force or coercion is not Jihad, but a crime, punishable by law.
The concept of Muslim men running to kill themselves to get “70 dancing virgins” in Paradise is really silly.
The fact is that the “companions of Paradise” are mentioned as being pure and far above anything we can imagine on Earth, in order to indicate that they are perpetually “virgins” and are not “touched” by men or demons.
The words “perpetual virgin”, even in English, should give someone the understanding that they are not as we know them on earth.
There is no mistaking the meaning of the Arabic language with the purity and innocence of these companions.
The Levels of Jihad
A personal struggle within yourself to submit to Allah, to fight evil within yourself, to reach higher moral and educational standards – Inner Jihad.
Jihad against evil, injustice and oppression within oneself, family and society – Social Jihad.
Jihad against everything that prevents: Muslims from bondage to God (Allah), people from knowing Islam, defense of a Muslim society (country), retribution against tyranny, and / or when a Muslim is forcibly removed from his land – Physical Jihad or an armed struggle.
The Qur’an defines physical Jihad as the highest level of Jihad that can be undertaken. Your reward is eternal paradise. Muslims also know that all human beings are responsible for what they did during their life on this earth. Muslims will be asked what they did with their lives and their level of submission to Allah on Judgment Day.
Does Jihad Mean Holy War?
In Islam, there is no holy war. This terminology was generated in Europe during the Crusades and its war against Muslims. Islam recognizes Jews and Christians as the “People of the Book” because they all follow the Prophet Abraham, believing in the teachings of Moses and Jesus. For many centuries, Muslims peacefully coexisted with Christians, Jews and people of other religions, maintaining social, commercial, political and economic treaties.
Islam respects all human beings and religions, as long as there is no religious oppression, which prohibits Muslims from serving Allah, preventing others from learning about Islam and not respecting treaties.
Who is Authorized to Ask Jihad for War?
Jihad must be performed according to Islamic rules and regulations and only for the love or service of Allah. Physical or military Jihad must be convened by a Muslim authority, such as a president or head of a Muslim country after due consultation with the educated leadership.
What Does Islam Say About Terrorism?
The term “terrorism” does not exist in the Qur’an or in the teachings of the prophet Muhammad ﷺ. If the terms “terrorist or terrorism” are derived from a verb used in the Qur’an, such as 5:33 describing “Muslim” terrorist acts, it is in condemnation and prescribes the most severe punishment. Islam is a religion and a way of life that does not separate politics from religion.
Islam is a religion of mercy, unity and, most importantly, peace with oneself and with others, to defend and not to fight.
Allah said in his book the Qur’an:
“Allah does not shy away from being bland and equitable towards those who have not fought you in religion and have not driven you out of your homes. Certainly, Allah loves the equanimous. ” [Holy Quran 60: 8]
“And fight, in the path of Allah, those who fight you, and do not commit aggression. Certainly, Allah does not love aggressors. ” [Holy Quran 2: 190]
“And if they are inclined towards peace, also inclined to it, and trust in Allah. Certainly, He is the Omnivorous, the Omniscient. ” [Holy Quran 8:61]
“And that hatred towards a people does not lead you not to be just. Be righteous: this is closer to godliness. And fear Allah. Certainly, Allah of what you do, is Knower. ” [Holy Quran 5: 8]
“And the reward for bad deed is bad deed just like it. And whoever pardons and amends it, his prize will impersonate Allah. He certainly does not love the unjust. ” [Holy Quran 42:40]
“And the good and the bad are not the same. Fight back evil with what is best: then, behold, there is enmity between you and you, as an intimate ally. ” [Holy Quran 41:34]
Some of the Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Sunnah)
He forbade Muslim soldiers to kill women, children and the elderly, or to cut a palm tree, and advised them: “do not betray, do not be excessive, do not kill a newborn”.
“Whoever killed a person who dealt with Muslims will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, even though its fragrance has been found for a period of forty years.”
“THE FIRST CASES TO BE TRIED AMONG PEOPLE ON JUDGMENT DAY WILL BE BLOODSHED.”
Killing is Islam’s second biggest sin.
“Truly your blood, your property and your honor are inviolable.”
Islam and Human Rights
The Qur’an and Sunnah encourage Muslims to respect the life and property of all mankind.
In an Islamic State, these rights are considered sacred, whether you are a Muslim or not.
Islam protects honor, prohibits insulting and / or mocking others.
Islam rejects certain individuals or nations that are favored because of their wealth, power and / or race.
“There is a reward for the kindness shown to all living animals or humans.”
All Muslims believe that Allah created all humans free and equal, only to be distinguished from each other based on the conscience of God or piety and never on the basis of race, color or ethnicity.
Islam is a practical religion that respects all human beings and has been revealed to all of humanity. His message is that of peace and submission to Allah. Muslims believe in all the prophets mentioned in the Bible and the Koran. The Qur’an shares many moral teachings from the Old Testament and the New Testament. These three religions (and their books) were founded on the revelations of One True God, Allah.
Jihad in the Bible
Let’s see what the Bible has to say about Jihad in terms of war and violence. The following verses are from the Bible, New International Version (NIV), 1984
“Don’t allow a witch to live. Anyone who has sex with an animal should be put to death. Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the Lord must be destroyed. ” [Exodus 22: 18-20]
“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘. Each man put his sword on his side. Go back and forth across the field from side to side, each kill your brother and friend and neighbor. The Levites did as Moses commanded and that day about three thousand people died. ”[Exodus 32: 27-28]
“The Lord said to Moses:
”He takes revenge on the Israelites for the Midianites. The Israelites captured the women and children of the Midianites and took away all the Midianite flocks, flocks and goods. They burned all the cities where the Midianites had settled. as well as all his fields (Moses commanded) “Now kill all the boys. And kill all the women who slept with a man, but save for yourself every girl who has never slept with a man. ”[Numbers 31: 1-18]
Jesus said:
“And as for those enemies of mine who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here, and kill them before me.” [Luke 19:27]
“He (Jesus) said to them:
‘But now, if you have a bag, get it and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cape and buy one. ” [Luke 22:36]
Differential Treatment
Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy and forgiveness. If an individual Muslim were to commit an act of terrorism, that person would be guilty of violating the basic principles of Islam.
When Timothy McVeigh bombed the Oklahoma City building, no American or Christian was labeled a terrorist or was the target of hate crimes. When Irish Christians carry out acts of terrorism against each other in the British Isles, the Christian religion is not to blame, but individuals or their political agenda.
Unfortunately, the same is not true of Muslims and American Arabs. The vast majority of Muslims or Arabs have no association with violent events around the world, but Islam is invoked with terrorism . It is unfair to 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide and the religion of Islam.
Guilt Criteria
Innocent until proven guilty in an open court is an accepted universal principle of justice, along with freedom.
May Allah bless us all and purify our hearts from all misunderstanding, wickedness, hatred and anger.
