A question for the Muslim delegation (please delete if it's inappropriate)

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine

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What, either exactly or roughly, is the meaning of jihad?

I have heard that it is an internal struggle only and that the word was corrupted first by fanatical Muslims, then outsiders started using the altered version (since they didn't have the "original" meaning.) Then, again, I've heard that it never meant "internal struggle".

I apologize for such a stupid question but I'd like to understand so that, if I use the word, I'm using it correctly and not offending anybody on the board or on campus who happens to be Muslim. :eek:

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine
 
Jihad means to struggle.

It neither explicitly denotes internal or external.

The extremists build on the Jihad of the Meccans against the Medians, Muhammad's war against those trying to repress those who believed in him.

Jihad is also the struggle against non-muslims, to convince them of the truth of Islam.

It is also the inward struggle against disbelief, against our egoistic nature.

Jihad is used in many contexts.
 
Etymology -
jihad (n.) 1869, from Arabic, usually translated as "holy war," literally "struggle, contest, effort," from infinitive of jahada "he waged war, he applied himself to." Used in English since c.1880 for any sort of doctrinal crusade.ji·had

noun \ji-ˈhäd, chiefly British -ˈhad\


- Merriam-Webster

Definition of JIHAD
1: a holy war waged on behalf of Islam as a religious duty; also : a personal struggle in devotion to Islam especially involving spiritual discipline

2: a crusade for a principle or belief
 
AdvaitaZen said:
Jihad means to struggle.

It neither explicitly denotes internal or external.

The extremists build on the Jihad of the Meccans against the Medians, Muhammad's war against those trying to repress those who believed in him.

Jihad is also the struggle against non-muslims, to convince them of the truth of Islam.

It is also the inward struggle against disbelief, against our egoistic nature.

Jihad is used in many contexts.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your explanation, but it brings up another question: does jihad prohibit the violent "struggle" as used by extremists? I mean, are there any prohibitions placed upon the jihadist?

Again, I'm just trying to wrap my mind around these concepts and I apologize for my stupid questions. :eek:

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine
 
As I understand it and by no means am a Quranic expert or even novice.....(where is MuslimWoman when you need her)...

The Quran allows violence against another only when defending yourself or others on your own land and only after all means of negotiation are exhausted, including paying them off. In other lands your method of avoiding violence is to retreat to your land...
 
Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine said:
Thank you for your explanation, but it brings up another question: does jihad prohibit the violent "struggle" as used by extremists? I mean, are there any prohibitions placed upon the jihadist?

Again, I'm just trying to wrap my mind around these concepts and I apologize for my stupid questions. :eek:

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine
Click to expand...

There are many, but of course they are open to interpretation.

For the extremists, the very fact a country hasn't instituted Shariah law is enough to justify the attacks we often hear about.

If this is a touchy subject for you with Islam, I would recommend reading some of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. If your heart leans towards Islam, there is much in his writtings that can put your head at ease. I would also recommend looking into some of the various Sufi schools, like Universal Sufism, as they are beautiful. For me, the Sufi interpretation of Jesus is the most beautiful, they are the reason I love Jesus to this day - his Christians caused me to never look at him.

Truly, the Quran has much that justifies the violence we see in the Muslim world, it is just a matter of interpretation. Many say these things were necessary for Muhammad, but that he taught peace. For many, they see the same repression the Medians saw through any way of life that doesn't enforce Sharia.

It is interesting that, for instance, the woman is blamed for mans lack of sexual control, and a country is blamed for allowing any sort of temptation in media. It really shows how weak their practice is on an individual level that rather than control themselves, they want to punish those they feel cause them to fall into sin.

I would never recommend any exoteric line to a seeker, but cannot condemn your heart for looking.

Good luck and salamo alaikom.
 
Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine said:
What, either exactly or roughly, is the meaning of jihad?

I have heard that it is an internal struggle only and that the word was corrupted first by fanatical Muslims, then outsiders started using the altered version (since they didn't have the "original" meaning.) Then, again, I've heard that it never meant "internal struggle".

I apologize for such a stupid question but I'd like to understand so that, if I use the word, I'm using it correctly and not offending anybody on the board or on campus who happens to be Muslim. :eek:

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine
Click to expand...

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine said:
Thank you for your explanation, but it brings up another question: does jihad prohibit the violent "struggle" as used by extremists? I mean, are there any prohibitions placed upon the jihadist?

Again, I'm just trying to wrap my mind around these concepts and I apologize for my stupid questions. :eek:

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine
Click to expand...

Hello Phyllis,

Jihad comes from the triliteral J-H-D. As an arabic word it means hardship, struggle, to strive, to tire oneself etc. The properly derived Islamic term is "Jihad fi sabeel illah" (Struggle in the way of God). But it is usually shortened to Jihad only. As with anyother effort or struggle, the category "effort for God" includes both external and internal struggle. For example you need a lot of of inner disciplining to get a degree, and also external work. So there is no inner without outer or outer without inner, and any form of struggle for God (within the premises of islamic law) will be Jihad fi sabeel illah.

As far as violent Jihad is concerned, yes it is a part of Jihad (not all of it), has always been and will always be that way. And there are a lot of laws that deal with its ethics, its not how extremists do it, or as media sells it. You can get some info here

Prohibitions....... loads of them
 
I am no great scholar on Islam (nor much of anything else). But, in my experience farhan has it pretty correct (that is precisely what some Jordanian badawiyyīn told me at great length).

A good (but usually considered un-Orthodox) introduction is available as Maulana Muhammad Ali's english translation of the Holy Qur'an with commentary (one is available without the commentary). Nice version available pretty cheaply. Like Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (whom AZ mentioned), he is an Ahmadiyya Muslim. They are to Islam what Quakers are to Christianity (very liberal and modern).

Do not take Ali as the last word... just a modern introduction.
 
Phyllis,

Please visit this webpage: About Jihad - What is Jihad? Islamic Holy War? Muslims Killing Jews & Christians?

You will find meaning of "jihad" there better than any one of us can explain it on this website.

Jihad means a struggle against anything that is bad. You might be in jihad if you struggle to get rid of bad habits, evil thoughts, or such. Also, you might be in jihad if you write for justice, say against racism. Also, it is true that a war may be considered jihad under the following conditions:

a. You were first attacked and must use self-defense.
b. You are defending the oppressed.
c. You are defending your and others' rights to practice your faith.

Jihad is not a "holy" war. War is not holy. In fact, Qur'an calls war unnecessary evil. One is not fighting jihad if he/she kills innocent people and causes chaos in the world. Allah SWT does not love those who make mischief in the world.
 
the meaning of 'jihad' is very simple; it means struggle!!!!!; and in the war context it means 'fighting struggle'!
 
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