In the wake of currents and cross currents of world events, it seems absolutely necessary to understand that Islam teaches to live in peace and preserve peace. It condemns aggression and advocates Jihad in the way of Allah, first against our "nafs" and "devil", and against those who disturb peace and violate the security of Muslim Ummah. It is an all round struggle and makes it obligatory for all Muslims to exercise all their powers, intellectual as well as physical, to preserve solidarity and peace. Now it seems imperative to discuss the real significance or Jihad in the light of glorious Quran and Sunnah. There is a great deal of misunderstanding in the West about the concept of Jihad in Islam that they believe that it is synonymous with "war" (Qital) undertaken for spreading Islam. It is most regrettable that even a number of our `Ulema" are also under this impression and can not discern the distinction between Qital and Jihad as laid down in the Quran. A number of eminent western scholars, liked A.J. Wensink, in his book, "A Handbook of Early Muhammadan Traditions" uses the word Jihad for war". Similarly another writer Klein, in his book, "The Religion of Islam", comments in the same strain i.e. fighting against unbelievers.
The word Jihad is derived from "jahd" or "Juhd" which signifies exertion, striving and endeavor and ceaseless effort to one`s utmost capacity bestowed by Allah. Its also used in the sense of exerting one`s power and ability without implying any sense of war. In the language of Shariah this word is also used for war (Jiahad-bis Saif), with the object of bringing an end to oppression and aggression against Islam. Its object is not to "propagate Islam", but to remove those tyrannical forces which are inimical to Islam and are not prepared to give all a fair deal.
Islam is not a theoretical philosophy. The Quran and Prophet Muhammad (saw) envisaged a complete code of conduct and a way of human life and practical action, commandments and prohibitions, good action and service to mankind in all phases of human activities. The Quran emphasized Jihad for noble and hard work and not sitting idle like stagnant water but moving swiftly like the flowing currents of oceans. How vividly the Quran states;
"Those of the believers who sit idle other than those who strive in the way of Allah with their wealth and lives. Allah conferred on those who strive with their wealth and lives a rank above the sedentary. To all Allah has promised good, but He has bestowed on those who strive a great reward above the sedentary". (4:95)
The above verse has stated with clarity of diction that idleness and sitting with comfort and luxury is not tantamount to Jihad or striving. It is incumbent on us to dispel the great misconception prevalent among some of our scholars an Ulema about the word Jihad and Qital (war) as synonymous. Therefore the Quran has expressed "Jihad in way of Allah" and Qital in way of Allah" with distinctive clarification. Its practical example is clearly reflected in the life of the Prophet who with his forbearance and patience boldly faced all privations and tribulations for thirteen years in Makkah in the spirit of Jihad. The hostility, persecutions physical torture an inhuman behavior of the pagans, all he bore valiantly with the inspiration of Allah.
Moreover, for ten years during his Madinah life he had to face most difficult problems and encounter wars with the pagans, which he overcame with his unimpeachable integrity and divine message in the light of Jihad as enjoined in the Quran:
"The true believers are those only who believe in Allah and his Messenger and then doubt not, but strive with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah. They are the truthful and sincere" (49.15). Further it states,
"So those who have migrated and were driven forth their homes and have been persecuted in My Cause, and have fought and have been slain, verily I shall remit their evil deeds from them and verily I shall bring them into Gardens." ( 3:195 ). Jihad also stands for performing noble deeds for elevating moral character and refinement to attain nearness to Allah and achieve His guidance as the Quran says;
"We shall guide those who strive in our cause to Our paths (of acceptance and nearness). Verily Allah is with those who do good." (29:69). In this Surah the omnipotent Allah has laid the greatest stress on remaining fearless and steadfast to uphold the banner of Truth (Haq) and has mentioned such achievements of the past Prophets and messengers who faced all hardships with firmness and confidence and ultimately Allah blessed them with success as stated in the Quran:
"And who ever strives, strives only for himself, for verily Allah is altogether independent of his creatures of the world"(29:6). Striving in the way of Allah and struggling with the greatest power and ability in the cause of Justice and Trust, unmindful of life and wealth or even family and children is an achievement of high order and excellence as the Divine Book expresses;
"And strive in the cause of Allah with the endeavour which is his right. He has exalted you and has laid no hardship on you in religion (Deen) the faith of your father Abraham." (22:78). Jihad is also used for striving ceaselessly to remove ignorance and disseminate knowledge, learning and science. Islam has given top-priority to knowledge and pen but Muslim masses are groping in darkness. It also stands for enlightening the people with best refinements and human behavior and conduct of life. Every individual should be replenished with his own culture and the current scientific and technological advancements and progress.
"Call them to the path of your Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the best way."(16:125).
This jihad for knowledge occupies a dominant position in the Muslim ethos and has worked as a torch-bearer of knowledge during the heyday of Muslim civilization. Jihad with wealth also plays an important role in reawakening the people to spend the way of Allah in the right channels for the good of mankind. If there is a dire need of wealth in some direction, it can be given preference over individual needs as the companions of the Prophet did on various occasions by donating large amount of money; as the Quran depicts:
"Verily, those who believed and left their homes and strove with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah."(8:72). The Quran is replete with verses emphasizing the value and significance of wealth in this respect:
"Go forth, light-armed and heavy-armed, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the way of Allah. That is best for you if you understand" (9;41). And
"The true believers are those only who believe in Allah and His messengers and afterward doubt not. But strive with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah. They are the truthful and sincere" (49:15). One of the traditions (hadith) also relates that a great jihad is to stand boldly and with confidence for justice and equity before a tyrant and affressor, (Trimizi). In this context the world jihad is not used exclusively for fighting. Once the Prophet said :
Haj is the most excellent of the Jihad (Bukhari, 25:4) , jihad includes the service of Islam in any form - by speech, pen, writing, teaching wealth or medicine. when the Prophet reached madinah, the Muslims were forced to struggle for or their very survival against a series of armed attacks by their enemies who became bolder and more bitter in opposition and mustered all their forces to wipe out the followers of Islam . The Muslims were obliged to take up arms in self-defence. This struggle was termed as Qital (war) as clarified in the following verse when permission was given to fight.
And fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you and do not be aggressive; verily Allah does not love the aggressor" (2:190). This clearly shows that aggression was strictly prohibited. In such fights in the way of Allah those who sacrificed their lives were called Shaheed (martyrs) as expressed in the Quran.
"Think not of those who are slain in the way of Allah, as dead. Nay, they are alive finding, their sustenance in the presence of their Lord." (3:169).
Jihad is a life-long mission for the Muslims to fight against all evils-socio-economic, cultural, educational and political dogmas: supersitious and mythological concepts; and enlightenment, refinement, scientific progress, dignified character and honest actions.
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