Unraveling The Meanings of Jihad in IslamBy Mocha, Section Philosopher's Corner
Would you like to see beyond the simplifications and misrepresentations of the concept of jihad in Islam? More nuances and complexities are introduced beyond the fold.
Recently I attended a Quaker-Muslim workshop in Madison (sponsored by Waysmeet_Inc.) From the Muslims I met there I learned that the concept of jihad has been distorted in the American media. Our media depicts Muslims as violent and warlike people. Hate crimes against Muslims occur with increasing frequency in the U.S.
Basically jihad means to support the good and oppose the evil. Most of this jihad occurs within each person. Every one of us struggles in trying to follow the path of good impulses instead of evil ones. Various aspects of Jihad are recognized in Islam. The jihad of heart describes the struggle within the individual not to commit evil deeds. The jihad of tongue represents the effort to control speech so that it avoids hurting others or spreading evil. The jihad of manner and conduct enjoins Muslims to follow the principles of Islam. The jihad of will involves properly earning, living and spending one's earnings. This aspect encourages integrity or what we might call right livelihood. Their code of conduct requires that Muslims earn their livelihood through their own honest work and not through charging interest to others. The jihad of wealth involves giving to the needy or contributing to organizations serving their needs. Devout Muslims share their wealth by giving zakat, usually 2-5% of their capital. Zakat means purification and also growth. They believe that their possessions are purified, by setting aside a portion of them for the poor. As in pruning plants they see this practice as bringing balance and encouraging new growth. Contributing to education expresses another form of jihad. The defensive jihad means that Muslimes can defend themselves against attacks. This defense can involve peaceful resistance or armed fighting. Similar to the Christian concept of a just war, the Koran permits fighting against persecution, against attacks aimed at extinquishing the light of Islam and to change a corrupt system. Muslims can fight to preserve their freedom to practice their religion. In cases of fitna or the breakdown of order, Muslims can fight to re-establish order. Fighting comes as a last resort, representing an exceptional situation within the meanings of jihad. Peacefulness and gentleness reside in the heart of Islam. Muslims find peace in surrendering themselves to God. Greetings and farewells involve exchanging wishes for peace. Koranic verses begin, "In the name of God, the compassionate". Peace is one of the names of God. The Koran teaches that God will help guide us in the path of peace. Islam also teaches gentleness towards the self. Any self-injury or committing of suicide contradicts this teaching. Muslims respect free will and spread their beliefs peacefully. Members of other religions are allowed to practice them freely in Muslim countries. Muslims are also taught peacefulness with nature and acting in a gentle and respectful manner with plants and animals. Within the last 200 years some Muslims began misinterpreting the peaceful message contained within the teachings and tradition of Islam. As we see in the history of Christianity political or cultural reasons for war can be clothed in religious justifications.
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