I was watching an episode of Boston Legal (a comedy law drama) that was aired on Malaysia’s satellite TV (Astro) last week when a lawyer sued the firm’s partner for dismissing him just because he practised Scientology. The plaintiff’s defense is freedom of religion. The whole notion of freedom of religion in the US is quite ironic especially when the fact is they still practiced profiling and harassment (especially after September 11) against the Muslims – we still hear stories of the US Immigration harassing Muslims at airports etc – so then, what happens to the freedom of religion mantra?
So, to correct the views of the non-Muslims about Islam, I would like to elaborate on the topic of Jihad. To the non-Muslims, jihad is equated to the holy war but it is not so. To correct such perception, I hope that non-Muslims could further read on the issue :
What is Jihad?
The literal meaning of Jihad is struggle or effort, and it means much more than holy war.
Muslims use the word Jihad to describe three different kinds of struggle:
a) A believer's internal struggle to live out the Muslim faith as well as possible
b) The struggle to build a good Muslim society
c) Holy war: the struggle to defend Islam, with force if necessary
Many modern writers claim that the main meaning of Jihad is the internal spiritual struggle, and this is accepted by many Muslims. However there are so many references to Jihad as a military struggle in Islamic writings that it is incorrect to claim that the interpretation of Jihad as holy war is wrong.
The internal Jihad
The phrase internal Jihad or greater Jihad refers to the efforts of a believer to live their Muslim faith as well as possible.
All religious people want to live their lives in the way that will please their God. So Muslims make a great effort to live as Allah has instructed them; following the rules of the faith, being devoted to Allah, doing everything they can to help other people.
For most people, living God's way is quite a struggle. God sets high standards, and believers have to fight with their own selfish desires to live up to them, no matter how much they love God.
The five Pillars of Islam as Jihad
The five Pillars of Islam form an exercise of Jihad in this sense, since a Muslim gets closer to Allah by performing them.
Other ways in which a Muslim engages in the 'greater Jihad' could include:
a) Learning the Holy Quran by heart, or engage in other religious study.
b) Overcoming things such as anger, greed, hatred, pride, or malice.
c) Giving up smoking.
d) Cleaning the floor of the mosque.
e) Taking part in Muslim community activities.
f) Working for social justice.
g) Forgiving someone who has hurt them.
Types of jihad
1. Jihad an-nafs (jihad against one’s self) is of four kinds:
a. Striving to learn the teachings of Islam without which one cannot attain success and happiness in this world or in the Hereafter. If this is missing, then one is doomed to misery in this world and in the Hereafter.
b. Striving to make oneself act in accordance with what one has learned. Simply knowing without acting, even though it may not cause any harm, is not going to bring any benefit.
c. Striving to call others to Islam, teaching those who do not know about it. Otherwise one will be one of those who conceal the guidance and teaching that Allah has revealed, and it will not benefit him or save him from the punishment of Allah.
d. Striving to bear patiently the difficulties involved in calling people to Allah and the insults of people, bearing all that for the sake of Allah.
If a person achieves all these four levels, then he will be one of the rabbaniyyin (learned men of religion who practice what they know and also preach to others. [see Al `Imran: 79]). The salaf (righteous predecesors) were agreed that the scholar does not deserve to be called a rabbani unless he knows the truth, acts in accordance with it, and teaches it to others. Whoever teaches, acts in accordance with his knowledge, and has knowledge will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
2.Jihad ash-Shaytan (jihad against Satan) is of two types:
a. Warding off the doubts that Satan stirs up to undermine faith.
b. Striving against Satan to ward off the corrupt desires that he provokes.
The first jihad is followed by certainty of faith, and the second is followed by patience. Allah says: “And We made from among them [Children of Israel], leaders, giving guidance under Our Command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)” (As-Sajdah: 24)
Allah (swt) tells us that leadership in religion is attained through patience and certainty of faith. Patience wards off desires and certainty wards off doubts.
3. Jihad against the munafiqin (hypocrites) and kuffar (disbelievers) is of four kinds: with the heart, the tongue, one’s wealth and oneself. Jihad against the disbelievers is more along the lines of physical fighting, whereas jihad against the hypocrites is more along the lines of using words and ideas.
4. Jihad against the leaders of oppression and innovation is of three kinds: jihad with one's hand (i.e., physical jihad, fighting) if one is able. If that is not possible, then it should be with one's tongue (i.e., by speaking out). If that is not possible, then it should be with one's heart (i.e., by hating the evil and feeling that it is wrong).
Conclusion
Islam never tolerates unprovoked aggression from its own side; Muslims are commanded in the Holy Quran not to begin hostilities, embark on any act of aggression, violate the rights of others, or harm the innocent. Even hurting or destroying animals or trees is forbidden. War is waged only to defend the religious community against oppression and persecution, because the Holy Quran says that "persecution is worse than slaughter" and "let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression" (Qur'an 2:190-193). Therefore, if non-Muslims are peaceful or indifferent to Islam, there is no justified reason to declare war on them.
However, are the non-Muslims really peaceful or indifferent to Islam? If no, then who should be blamed if the Muslims retaliate to defend themselves? Think about it.....think really, really hard....
