What is Jihad?

What is Jihad?

Jihad means struggling in the name of
Allah Almighty. Jihad
doesn't always mean a war or battle.
Any mean for spreading Islam
and the Truth, or to fight for what is
right and condemn what is
wrong (such as fighting the bad and
helping the oppressed even if
they were not Muslims) are considered
Jihad.

Islam is not a religion of arms and
swords! When Allah Almighty
revealed the Noble Quran to Prophet
Muhammad peace be upon
him, and Muhammad became the
Messenger of GOD Almighty,
Muhammad had to spread Islam to
365 Pagan Arab Tribes. These
tribes showed so much hostility toward
the Muslims and Islam, and
have imposed so many battles against
the Muslims.

Later, when Islam was the religion of
what we call today Saudi
Arabia, and the 365 Pagan Arab tribes
mostly converted to Islam,
the Muslims had to yet face another
type of challenge.

The Nuclear Soviet Union and the
United States of America of our
days were the Great Empires of the
Christian Romans and the
Pagan Persians. If you know
geography and history well enough,
then you would see that the Muslims
were trapped between those
two big Super Powers.

Hostility and Battles from those two
Empires were imposed upon the
Muslims. For instance, when our
Prophet peace be upon him sent
his messenger to "Kisrah", the
Emperor of Persia, introducing
Islam to him, Kisrah ordered for the
Muslims' Messenger to be
executed!

Back then, like today, this was
considered a coward act. It was the
Persians who showed the hostility
toward the Muslims and declared
the many battles against Islam.

The Christian Romans weren't any
better. For instance, in one of
their many battles against the Muslims
is when they saw the threat
to their religion in the Middle East, the
King "Herucl", sent out an
army of 100,000 men and ordered
them to go to "Madina" in what
we call today Saudi Arabia to destroy
Islam once and for all.

The Muslims were not stable yet at
that time, and they only sent out
an army of 3,000 men at that time to
drive the Christian Romans
away from Madina. The battle was
named "The battle of Mo'ta"
and it took place in Mo'ta, Jordan
today.

The Muslims' plan was to meet the
Christian Romans far away from
Madina, and to have them stray away
from Madina. The army of
3,000 men was successful enough to
fight the Christian Romans for
few days and then to pull away from
the battle and headed South of
Jordan. The Romans strayed away
from Madina and the small
army of the Muslims was able to run
away through the mountains.
More than half of the 3,000 Muslims
however were killed in this
operation.

The point is that Islam didn't spread
by sword. The wars were
imposed upon the Muslims. The
Muslims didn't ask for those wars
.

Islam is a Religion of Love and Peace
and Forgiveness

From : answering-christianity

The reason for "Jihad" Noble Verses:

The so-called "Jihad" Noble Verses came for specific times and
places. They don't apply for all times and everybody! I can't slay
you, a non-Muslim, just because you're not a Muslim. The pagan
Arabs were very hostile people and only knew the sword as an
answer. Many wars were imposed upon the Muslims, and thus, it is
only normal and natural to find Noble Verses that deal with these
specific hostile situations. But the Message of the Noble Quran is
PEACE, as clearly proven in Noble Verses 2:190, 8:61 and 5:28
above.

From : answering-christianity

The laws of war in Islam:

Muslims are forbidden from attacking others who do not attack
them:

"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not
transgress limits; for God loveth not transgressors. (The Noble
Quran, 2:190)"

Fighting in the cause of GOD Almighty those who fight us is what
"Jihad" is all about. I can't go and kill a non-Muslim just because
he is a non-Muslim. That is absolutely forbidden in Islam:

"On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any
one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading
mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people:
and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the
whole people. Then although there came to them Our apostles with
clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit
excesses in the land. (Noble Quran 5:32)
"

"Those who invoke not, with God, any other god, nor slay such life
as God has made sacred except for just cause, nor commit
fornication; - and any that does this (not only) meets punishment.
(But) the Penalty on the Day Of Judgement will be doubled To him,
and he will dwell Therein in ignominy. (The Noble Quran, 25:68
-69)"

Jihad can only be declared when the Muslims are attacked. Muslims
are not allowed to attach those who do not attack them. And even
when war breaks out, if the enemy offers an honest peace, then we
should accept it and end the blood shed:

"But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline
towards peace, and trust in God: for He is One that heareth and
knoweth (all things). (The Noble Quran, 8:61)"

And if a treaty of peace was made, then we must honor that treaty to
the end:

"Except those who join a group between whom and you there is a
treaty (of peace), or those who approach you with hearts
restraining
them from fighting you as well as fighting their own people. If God
had pleased, He could have given them power over you, and they
would have fought you: Therefore if they withdraw from you but
fight you not, and (instead) send you (Guarantees of) peace, then
God Hath opened no way for you (to war against them). (The Noble
Quran, 4:90)"

"How can there be a league, before God and His Apostle, with the
Pagans, except those with whom ye made a treaty near the sacred
Mosque? As long as these stand true to you, stand ye true to them:
for God doth love the righteous. (The Noble Quran, 9:7)

From : answering-christianity

3- The reason for "Jihad" Ahadith:

Muhammad (peace_be_upon_him) never took revenge for his own

sake, but for the sake of Allah Almighty and Islam

We must first of all know that when Islam came, it came among 365

Arab Pagan Tribes, and they were all idol worshipers, women

abusers and enslavers. Islam came and fought idol worshiping,

oppressing women and racism and slavery (which is by the way

clearly promoted in the Bible's Old and New Testaments) in many

bloody battles that were imposed upon the Muslims without any

choice for the Muslims. So, if we hear about few pigs from the

Pagans getting killed for the sake of Allah Almighty, it should not

raise any red flags in our minds about the validity of Islam and it's

tolerance to non-Muslims

.

Narrated 'Aisha: "Whenever Allah's Apostle was given the choice

of one of two matters, he would choose the easier of the two, as

long as it was not sinful to do so, but if it was sinful to do so, he

would not approach it. Allah's Apostle never took revenge (over

anybody) for his own sake but (he did) only when Allah's Legal

Bindings were outraged in which case he would take revenge for

Allah's Sake. (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Virtues and Merits of

the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions, Volume 4,

Book 56, Number 760)"

Narrated 'Aisha: "Whenever Allah's Apostle was given the choice

of one of two matters he would choose the easier of the two as long

as it was not sinful to do so, but if it was sinful, he would not

approach it. Allah's Apostle never took revenge over anybody for

his own sake but (he did) only when Allah's legal bindings were

outraged, in which case he would take revenge for Allah's sake.

(Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Good Manners and Form (Al

-Adab), Volume 8, Book 73, Number 147)"

Narrated Aisha: "Whenever the Prophet was given an option

between two things, he used to select the easier of the tow as long as

it was not sinful; but if it was sinful, he would remain far from it.

By Allah, he never took revenge for himself concerning any matter

that was presented to him, but when Allah's Limits were

transgressed, he would take revenge for Allah's Sake. (Translation

of Sahih Bukhari, Limits and Punishments set by Allah (Hudood)

,
Volume 8, Book 81, Number 777)"

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: That he fought in a Ghazwa towards

Najd along with Allah's Apostle and when Allah's Apostle returned,

he too, returned along with him. The time of the afternoon nap

overtook them when they were in a valley full of thorny trees

.
Allah's Apostle dismounted and the people dispersed amongst the

thorny trees, seeking the shade of the trees. Allah's Apostle took

Shelter under a Samura tree and hung his sword on it. We slept for

a while when Allah's Apostle suddenly called us, and we went to

him, to find a bedouin sitting with him. Allah's Apostle said, "This

(bedouin) took my sword out of its sheath while I was asleep. When

I woke up, the naked sword was in his hand and he said to me,

'Who can save you from me?, I replied, 'Allah.' Now here he is

sitting." Allah's Apostle did not punish him (for that) .(Translation

of Sahih Bukhari, Military Expeditions Led By The Prophet (pbuh)

(Al-Maghaazi), Volume 5, Book 59, Number 458)"

Narrated Jafar bin 'Amr bin Umaiya: I went out with 'Ubaidullah

bin 'Adi Al-Khaiyar. When we reached Hims (i.e. a town in Syria),

'Ubaidullah bin 'Adi said (to me), "Would you like to see Wahshi

so that we may ask him about the killing of Hamza?" I replied,

"Yes." Wahshi used to live in Hims. We enquired about him and

somebody said to us, "He is that in the shade of his palace, as if he

were a full water skin." So we went up to him, and when we were at

a short distance from him, we greeted him and he greeted us in

return. 'Ubaidullah was wearing his turban and Wahshi could not

see except his eyes and feet. 'Ubaidullah said, "O Wahshi! Do you

know me?" Wahshi looked at him and then said, "No, by Allah!

But I know that 'Adi bin Al-Khiyar married a woman called Um

Qital, the daughter of Abu Al-Is, and she delivered a boy for him at

Mecca, and I looked for a wet nurse for that child. (Once) I carried

that child along with his mother and then I handed him over to her,

and your feet resemble that child's feet." Then 'Ubaidullah

uncovered his face and said (to Wahshi), "Will you tell us (the story

of) the killing of Hamza?" Wahshi replied "Yes, Hamza killed

Tuaima bin 'Adi bin Al-Khaiyar at Badr (battle) so my master,

Jubair bin Mut'im said to me, 'If you kill Hamza in revenge for my

uncle, then you will be set free." When the people set out (for the

battle of Uhud) in the year of 'Ainain ..'Ainain is a mountain near

the mountain of Uhud, and between it and Uhud there is a valley.. I

went out with the people for the battle. When the army aligned for

the fight, Siba' came out and said, 'Is there any (Muslim) to accept

my challenge to a duel?' Hamza bin 'Abdul Muttalib came out and

said, 'O Siba'. O Ibn Um Anmar, the one who circumcises other

ladies! Do you challenge Allah and His Apostle?' Then Hamza

attacked and killed him, causing him to be non-extant like the

bygone yesterday. I hid myself under a rock, and when he (i.e.

Hamza) came near me, I threw my spear at him, driving it into his

umbilicus so that it came out through his buttocks, causing him to

die. When all the people returned to Mecca, I too returned with

them. I stayed in (Mecca) till Islam spread in it (i.e. Mecca). Then I

left for Taif, and when the people (of Taif) sent their messengers to

Allah's Apostle, I was told that the Prophet did not harm the

messengers; So I too went out with them till I reached Allah's

Apostle. When he saw me, he said, 'Are you Wahshi?' I said, 'Yes.'

He said, 'Was it you who killed Hamza?' I replied, 'What happened

is what you have been told of.' He said, 'Can you hide your face

from me?' So I went out when Allah's Apostle died, and

Musailamah Al-Kadhdhab appeared (claiming to be a prophet). I

said, 'I will go out to Musailamah so that I may kill him, and make

amends for killing Hamza. So I went out with the people (to fight

Musailamah and his followers) and then famous events took place

concerning that battle. Suddenly I saw a man (i.e. Musailamah)

standing near a gap in a wall. He looked like an ash-colored camel

and his hair was dishevelled. So I threw my spear at him, driving it

into his chest in between his breasts till it passed out through his

shoulders, and then an Ansari man attacked him and struck him on

the head with a sword. 'Abdullah bin 'Umar said, 'A slave girl on

the roof of a house said: Alas! The chief of the believers (i.e.

Musailamah) has been killed by a black slave."(Translation of
Sahih Bukhari, Military Expeditions Led By The Prophet (pbuh)

(Al-Maghaazi), Volume 5, Book 59, Number 399)"

Here we clearly see that the Prophet did not have Wahshi killed for

killing the Prophets beloved uncle

.

From : answering-christianity

Personal Revenge Helps the Devil:

Narrated Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab: "While the Apostle of Allah
(peace_be_upon_him) was sitting with some of his companions, a
man reviled AbuBakr and insulted him. But AbuBakr remained
silent. He insulted him twice, but AbuBakr controlled himself. He
insulted him thrice and AbuBakr took revenge on him. Then the
Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) got up when AbuBakr took
revenge.

AbuBakr said: Were you angry with me, Apostle of Allah?

The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) replied: An angel came
down from Heaven and he was rejecting what he had said to you.
When you took revenge, a devil came down. I was not going to sit
when the devil came down. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud,
General Behavior (Kitab Al-Adab), Book 41, Number 4878)"

In the above narrations about our Prophet peace be upon him, we
clearly without any doubt that he never seeked any personal
revenge for his own sake. Prophet Muhammad was Allah
Almighty's Messenger, and the leader of the Muslims. He never
took things personal. He always seeked the higher level and bigger
picture of things. If he executed some pigs, then it is crystal clear
from the above narrations about him that he didn't do it for his own
personal sake or revenge, but the sake of Allah Almighty, Islam
and the Muslims.

From : answering-christianity

Allah Almighty revenged for our Prophet and Islam:

In the following narration, we see a list of names of some Pagans
whom the hypocrites of the Christian team seem to love and adore
very much that they made such a big deal out of them, and decided
to invent fabricated cheap lies against our beloved Prophet. In the
following narration, we see how Allah Almighty revenged for our
beloved Prophet and killed some of the pigs who caused a lot of
sufferings for the Muslims 1400 years ago, whom the Christian
hypocrites love and adore so much, that insha'Allah (may Allah
Almighty Will it) will end up with them in Hell Fire!

Narrated 'Amr bin Maimuin: "Abdullah bin Mas'ud said, "While
Allah's Apostle was praying beside the Ka'ba, there were some
Quraish people sitting in a gathering. One of them said, 'Don't you
see this (who does deeds just to show off)? Who amongst you can
go and bring the dung, blood and the abdominal contents
(intestines, etc). of the slaughtered camels of the family of so and so
and then wait till he prostrates and put that in between his
shoulders?' The most unfortunate amongst them ('Uqba bin Abi
Mu'ait) went (and brought them) and when Allah's Apostle
prostrated, he put them between his shoulders. The Prophet
remained in prostration and they laughed so much so that they fell
on each other. A passerby went to Fatima, who was a young girl in
those days. She came running and the Prophet was still in
prostration. She removed them and cursed upon the Quraish on
their faces. When Allah's Apostle completed his prayer, he said, 'O
Allah! Take revenge on Quraish.' He said so thrice and added, 'O
Allah! take revenge on 'Amr bin Hisham, 'Utba bin Rabia, Shaiba
bin Rabi'a, Al-Walid bin'Utba, Umaiya bin Khalaf, 'Uqba bin Abi
Mu'ait and 'Umar a bin Al-Walid." Abdullah added, "By Allah! I
saw all of them dead in the battle field on the day of Badr and they
were dragged and thrown in the Qalib (a well) at Badr: Allah's
Apostle then said, 'Allah's curse has descended upon the people of
the Qalib (well). (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Virtues of the
Prayer Hall (Sutra of the Musalla), Volume 1, Book 9, Number
499)"

This narration doesn't in anyway prove the false lies that our
Prophet is full of hatred that he wished the death and torture of
non-Muslims. This lie's statement is too general and too vast. It's
easy for some hater of Islam to say such a statement. But as we've
seen in the above narrations, our beloved Prophet peace be upon
him is full of forgiveness and love toward others.

From : answering-christianity

Repelling evil with good in Islam:

Allah Almighty in the Noble Quran commands us to return the evil
that is done to us by others to not only with good, but with best!.

Let us look at Noble Verse 13:22 "Those who patiently persevere,
seeking the countenance of their Lord; establish regular prayers;
spend out of (the gifts) We have bestowed for their sustenance,
secretly and openly; and turn off evil with good: for such there is
the final attainment of the (Eternal) Home.

Let us look at Noble Verse 23:96 "Repel evil with that which is best:
We are Well-acquainted with the things they say."

Let us look at Noble Verse 41:34 "Nor can goodness and evil be
equal. Repel (evil) with that is better: Then will he between whom
and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!."

Let us look at Noble Verse 28:54 "Twice will they be given their
reward, for that they have persevered, that they avert evil with good,
and that they spend (in charity) out of what We have given them."

Let us look at Noble Verse 42:40 "The recompense for an injury is
an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and
makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah: for (Allah)
Loveth not those who do wrong."

Allah Almighty loves those who restrain anger: "Those who spend
(freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger,
and pardon (all) men; for Allah loves those who do good. (The
Noble Quran, 3:134)"

Whether people speak evil of you, in your presence or behind your
back, or they do evil to you in either of those ways, all is known to
Allah Almighty. It is not for you to punish. Your best course is not
to do evil in your turn, but to do what will best repel the evil. Two
evils do not make a good.

You do not return good for evil, for there is no equality or
comparison between the two. You repel or destroy evil with
something which is far better, just as an antidote is better than
poison. You foil hatred with love. You repel ignorance with
knowledge, folly and wickedness with the friendly message of
Revelation. The man who was in bondage of sin, you not only
liberate from sin, but make him your greatest friend and helper in
the cause of Allah Almighty!. Such is the alchemy of the Word of
Allah Almighty!. Your credit for returning evil with good and
paying for charity is double. Also if you forgive and return the evil
with good, then Allah Almighty will love you and reward you

From : answering-christianity

4- What does the Qu'ran say about violence?

The word Islam, which means "surrender (to GOD)," is related to

the Arabic salam, “peace.” When the Prophet Muhammad brought

the revealed scripture called the Qu'ran (“recitation”) to the Arabs

in the early 7th century C.E., one of his main purposes was

precisely to stop the kind of indiscriminate killing we saw on

September 11^th

.

At the time the Arabian Peninsula was in crisis. The tribal system

was breaking down, and the various tribes were locked into a

murderous cycle of vendetta and counter vendetta. For a weak

tribe, or a man who lacked powerful protection, survival was nearly

impossible. The Prophet himself suffered several assassination

attempts, and when his religious and social message ran him afoul

of the establishment of Mecca, the small Muslim community was

persecuted. Things got so bad that the Muslims had to migrate to

Medina, some 250 miles to the north, and there they were subject to

attack by the Meccan army, the greatest power in Arabia.

For about five years, there was war and the Muslims narrowly

escaped extermination. Terrible things were done on both sides.

But when Muhammad sensed that the tide had just begun turn in

his favor, he completely changed tack. He concentrated on building

a peaceful coalition of tribes, and initiated an inspired, brave and

ingenious policy of non-violence. This proved so successful that

eventually Mecca opened its gates to the Muslims voluntarily,

without a single drop of blood being shed

.

Because the Qu'ran was revealed in the context of an all-out war,

several passages deal with the conduct of armed conflict. Warfare

was a desperate business in Arabia. An Arab chieftain was not

expected to take prisoners; it was a given that he would simply kill

everybody he could get his hands on. Muhammad knew that if the

Muslims were defeated they would all be slaughtered to the last

man or woman

.

Sometimes the Qu'ran seems to have imbibed this spirit. Muslims

are ordered by God to “slay [the enemy] wherever you find them.

(4:89). Muslim extremists like Bin Laden like to quote these verses,

but they do so selectively, never quoting the exhortations to peace

and forbearance that in almost every case mitigate these ferocious

injunctions in the verses immediately following. Thus “If they leave

you alone and offer to make peace with you, God does not allow

you to harm them.” (4:90)

Therefore the only war condoned by the Qu'ran is a war of self

-defense. "Warfare is an awesome evil" (2:217), but sometimes it is

necessary to fight in order to bring the kind of persecution suffered

by the Muslims to an end [2:217] or to preserve decent values

[22:40]. But Muslims may never initiate hostilities, and aggression

is forbidden by God [2:190] While the fighting continues, Muslims

must dedicate themselves wholly to the war in order to bring things

back to normal as quickly as possible, but the second the enemy

sues for peace, hostilities must cease. [2:192]

Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi Condemns Attacks Against Civilians:

Forbidden in Islam

DOHA, Qatar, Sept 13 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) – Renowned

Muslim scholar

Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi denounced the attacks against civilians

in the U.S.

Tuesday and encouraged Muslims to donate blood to the victims of

the attack.

In response to the bloody attack against civilians in the U.S., Sheikh

Yusuf issued a statement Wednesday saying that:

"Our hearts bleed for the attacks that has targeted the World Trade

Center [WTC], as well as other institutions in the United States

despite our strong oppositions to the American biased policy

towards Israel on the military, political and economic fronts.

"Islam, the religion of tolerance, holds the human soul in high

esteem, and considers the attack against innocent human beings a

grave sin, this is backed by the Qur'anic verse which reads:

Who so ever kills a human being for other than manslaughter or

corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he has killed all mankind,

and who so ever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved

the life of all mankind,"

(Al-Ma'dah:32).

"The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have

said, 'A believer remains within the scope of his religion as long as

he doesn't kill another person illegally'," the prominent scholar

said.

He added that haphazard killing where the rough is taken with the

smooth and where innocents are killed along with wrongdoers is

totally forbidden in Islam. No one, as far as Islam is concerned, is

held responsible for another's actions. Upon seeing a woman killed

in the battlefield, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,

denied the act and said: "That woman shouldn't have been killed

anyway!".

Even in times of war, Muslims are not allowed to kill anybody save

the one who is indulged in face-to-face confrontation with them.

They are not allowed to kill women, old persons, children, or even a

monk in his religious seclusion.

Qaradawi then asserted that is why killing hundreds of helpless

civilians who have nothing to do with the decision-making process

and are striving hard to earn their daily bread, such as the victims

of the latest explosions in America, is a heinous crime in Islam.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be

upon him, is reported to have stated that a woman was qualified to

enter Hell because of the cat she locked up to death.

"If such is the ruling applied in protecting animals, no doubt,

aggression against human beings, a fortiori, deserves greater

protection, for human beings are honored by Allah Almighty and

are His vicegerents on earth," he added.

Al Qaradawi said, "we Arab Muslims are the most affected by the

grave consequences of hostile attack on man and life. We share the

suffering experienced by innocent Palestinians at the hands of the

tyrannical Jewish entity who raze the Palestinian homes to the

ground, set fire to their tilth, kill them cold-bloodedly, and leave

innocent orphans wailing behind.

"With this in mind, the daily life in Palestine has become a
permanent memorial gathering. When Palestinians face such

unjust aggression, they tend to stem bloodletting and destruction

and not to claim the lives of innocent

civilians."

"I categorically go against a committed Muslim's embarking on

such attacks.

Islam never allows a Muslim to kill the innocent and the helpless.

"If such attacks were carried out by a Muslim - as some biased

groups claim - then we, in the name of our religion, deny the act

and incriminate the perpetrator. We do confirm that the aggressor

deserves the deterrent punishment irrespective of his religion, race

or gender," he added.

"What we warn against, even if becomes a reality, is to hold a whole

nation accountable for a crime carried out by a limited number of

people or to characterize a certain religion as a faith giving support

to violence and terrorism," Qaradawi said.

Qaradawi clarified that when the well-known Oklahoma incident

was carried out by a Christian American, who was driven by a

personal interests, Christianity, America or even the Christian

world, were not accused of the attack because a Christian

masterminded it.

"I have been asked several questions on TV programs and on public

lectures about the martyr operations outside the Palestinian

territories, and I always answer that I do agree with those who do

not allow such martyr operations to

be carried out outside the Palestinian territories.

"Instead we should concentrate on facing the occupying enemy

directly. It is not permissible, as far as Islam is concerned, to shift

confrontation outside the Palestinian territories. This is backed by

the Qur'anic verse that reads:

"Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but

begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loves not, aggressors," the

renowned Muslim scholar concluded

From : answering-christianity