Islam comes from the root word ‘salaam’, which means peace. It also means submitting one’s will to Allah (swt). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, which is acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah (swt).
a. One of the greatest misconceptions about Islam, not only amongst the non-Muslims but even amongst the Muslims, is that concerning the concept of Jihad. Non-Muslims as well as Muslims think that any war fought by any Muslim for whatever purpose, be it good or bad, is Jihad.
‘Jihad’ is an Arabic word derived from ‘Jahada’, which means to strive or to struggle. For example. if a student strives to pass in the examination he is doing jihad.
In the Islamic context, ‘Jihad’ means to strive against one’s own evil inclination. It also means to strive to make the society better. It also includes the right to fight in self-defence or to fight in the battlefield against oppression and against aggression.
RE:JIHAD IN ISLAM AND IN HINDUISM
by kailash jena on Jul 31, 2008 07:49 AM Permalink
my dear frien i do not know from which religion u r from but beleive in one religion which is the religion of humanity.Its my msg for u my dear there is no religion is greater that this.So now u ask urself what u r talking.Why people r talking about one religion which is making all the evil for the world ??? There is always a way out with a smile to everybody but not killing the inhocent one in a coward manner.
RE:JIHAD IN ISLAM AND IN HINDUISM
by The Truth on Jul 31, 2008 07:02 AM Permalink
This verse is revealed and instructs the Muslims to fight in the battlefield and kill the enemy wherever you find them. But natural, any army general to boost up the morale of the soldiers and to encourage them will say “Don’t get scared, fight and kill the enemies, wherever you find them in the battlefield. Arun Shourie in his book ‘The World of Fatwas’ after quoting Surah Tawbah chapter 9 verse 5 jumps to verse 7. Any logical person will realize that verse 6 has the reply to his allegation. Surah Tawbah chapter 9 verse 6 says:
“If any amongst the Mushriks (i.e. the enemies) ask thee for asylum, grant it to him so that he may hear the word of Allah and then escort him to where he can be secure”. (Al Qur’an 9:6)
Today the most merciful army general may tell his soldiers to let the enemy go, but Almighty Allah in the Qur’an says if the enemy wants peace do not just let them go but escort them to place of security. Which army general in today’s day and age, or rather in the whole of recorded human history is ever known to have given such merciful instructions? Now will someone ask Mr. Arun Shourie why did he deliberately not quote verse 6?
RE:JIHAD IN ISLAM AND IN HINDUISM
by dev man on Jul 31, 2008 07:34 AM Permalink
Yeah Right! Peace and love, sure thing mate. By the way actions speak louder than words.
RE:JIHAD IN ISLAM AND IN HINDUISM
by The Truth on Jul 31, 2008 07:02 AM Permalink
1. Jihad is not holy war
Not only non-Muslim scholars, but even some Muslim scholars mistranslate the word ‘Jihad’ as holy war. The Arabic word for ‘holy war’ is ‘harabum muqaddasah’ and this word is not to be found anywhere in the Qur’an or in any hadith. The word ‘holy war’ was first used to describe the crusades of the Christians who killed thousands of people in the name of Christianity. Today, this term ‘holy war’ is used to falsely describe Jihad, which merely means ‘to strive’. In an Islamic context, Jihad means ‘to strive in the way of Allah for a righteous cause’ i.e. Jihad fi Sabilillah.
2. Only one of the several forms of Jihad is fighting
There are different types of Jihad i.e., striving. One of the types is striving is fighting in the battlefield against oppression and tyranny.
Many critics of Islam including Arun Shourie quote Surah Al-Tawbah chapter 9 verse 5
“... Fight and slay the Mushrik/Kafir (Hindu) wherever you find them ...” (Al Qur’an 9:5)
If you read the Qur’an, this verse exists but it is quoted out of context by Arun Shourie.
The first few verses of Surah Tawbah before verse 5 speak about the peace treaty between the Muslims and Muskhriks (polytheists) of Makkah. This peace treaty was unilaterally broken by the Mushriks of Makkah. In verse no. 5 Allah (swt) gives them an ultimatum to put things straight in four months’ time, or else face a declaration of war. It is for the battlefield that Allah says “fight and slay
RE:JIHAD IN ISLAM AND IN HINDUISM
by Guest on Jul 31, 2008 07:39 AM Permalink
what a load of drivel!! Other than in words Islam has NEVER been a peaceful religion or ethos. The muslims who came to India started out with massacres. Where has islam promoted peace? I am sick of hearing this drivel. Show me a peaceful islamic event. Stop talking nonsense
