Category: Nature & Science Topics: American Muslims, Jihad Views: 2480
2480
Jihad in America
The September 11 attacks have created an intense interest in Islam and its teachings. Invariably, this newfound interest has lead to the analysis of many Islamic terms and concepts. One of the most popular of these is the Islamic concept of jihad. Most commonly translated as "holy war," jihad has traditionally connoted a particularly negative image of wild-eyed fanatics wanting to kill all "infidels." This notion of jihad is a false distortion of the true, broader meaning of jihad and has come about partly because of the disproportionate media coverage of fanatics such as Osama bin Laden, who calls on all Muslims to wage a "jihad" against all "infidels."
Literally, jihad means "struggle," not "holy war." In fact, there is no such term in the Islamic lexicon, and it perplexes me why it continues to be translated as "holy war." It is not, as some would have you believe, the "sixth pillar" of Islam. In the Quran, the Muslim scripture, jihad is almost always distinguished from armed conflict, which is termed qital. Jihad is a very broad concept in Islam, and it is the struggle to obey God's commandments. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), upon returning from a battle, remarked to his companions that they were returning from the "lesser jihad" of fighting to the "greater jihad" of struggling against the evil temptations of the soul. As a last resort, jihad may encompass armed conflict. However, there are strict rules that govern fighting in Islam, and if the enemy even slightly hints toward peace, Muslims are commanded to make peace. Every day in America, Muslims undergo jihad...but this is a good thing that should not be feared.
For instance, we are now in the midst of the holy month of Ramadan. Before Ramadan, I would have a large cup of coffee or cappuccino every morning, not being able to function properly without it. However, because of the fast of Ramadan, I cannot have my cup of joe until after sunset. This has been particularly difficult for me this year. For the past ten days, I pass by freshly brewed pots of coffee every morning, which beckon me to have a cup. I can easily have a cup without anyone knowing that I broke my fast. However, my jihad is to resist this temptation; my jihad is to knowingly abstain from food and drink even though no one is watching me.
Sometimes, I buy this coffee from coffee houses such as Starbucks. If I am ever undercharged for a $4 cup of mocha, my jihad is to alert the employee of their mistake, even though I may believe they deserve to be underpaid. Similarly, when I buy groceries and am undercharged, my jihad is to alert the cashier of this mistake, even if it is 10 cents.
Five times daily, Muslims must pray to God. This ritual prayer helps focus the believer on the purpose of life, and helps remind him or her who the ultimate Ruler in this universe is. Before praying, Muslims must make a ritual ablution, washing themselves in preparation for their "meeting" with God during the prayer. Since the day is short now, the various prayer times are scattered closely together, and praying on time becomes particularly difficult as I see patients in the office or hospital. My jihad is to do my utmost to pray these prayers on time, even if it means quickly praying in an empty examination room in between patients or waking up at 6 am to pray despite being exhausted.
As a father, my jihad is to get up early each morning and go to work, even on days when I really do not want to, so that I can support my family. As a husband, my jihad is to admit to my wife that I am wrong and say I am sorry, even if it is particularly difficult to do so. As a son, my jihad is to obey my mother's commands, even if doing so imposes a burden on me. As a physician, my jihad is to be as excellent a doctor as possible, even if it means staying late at work to spend a little extra time with a patient. As a citizen, my jihad is to do whatever I can to make America a better place to live. This includes removing a nail from the sidewalk, so that others do not step on it and get hurt. Yes, every day I engage in jihad, and I am all the better because of it.
Hesham A. Hassaballa is a syndicated columnist with the Independent Writers Syndicate. He is a physician and resides in Chicago.
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Older Comments:
STEVE CLEVELAND FROM UNITED STATES OF AMERIA said:
I enjoy the islamic news letter it is very educatioal.My jihad is with the american goverment.A group on the hill that pretend the states are perfect,and forget about the terrisom
the Native Americans suffered and still suffer.We as americans have to many problems and issuie of our own ,and yet we still want to meddle in business of other countries.
TERRISOM
I shall fly no flag,
shed no tear,
until we free Mumia
and free Peltier !!!
These two individuals are examples of the cost
of the freedom of the United States.
the Native Americans suffered and still suffer.We as americans have to many problems and issuie of our own ,and yet we still want to meddle in business of other countries.
TERRISOM
I shall fly no flag,
shed no tear,
until we free Mumia
and free Peltier !!!
These two individuals are examples of the cost
of the freedom of the United States.
2002-10-02
DR.ZIAUL AKHTER FROM SAUDI ARABIA said:
This article is excellent,which explains the
true meaning jihad in a muslim's day to life.
Media is always projecting a ditorted message
of Islam.The very word Islamic fanatics is a
misnomer.One can not blame the deeds of a muslim
or group to religion.Blame goes directly to religion rather than the accused.such blame
was not raised as christian fanatics when it
happened in Bosnia.A few muslim do not represent
Islam.This term Islamic fanatics/fundamentalism
should be avoided
true meaning jihad in a muslim's day to life.
Media is always projecting a ditorted message
of Islam.The very word Islamic fanatics is a
misnomer.One can not blame the deeds of a muslim
or group to religion.Blame goes directly to religion rather than the accused.such blame
was not raised as christian fanatics when it
happened in Bosnia.A few muslim do not represent
Islam.This term Islamic fanatics/fundamentalism
should be avoided
2002-09-06
PA MODOU NJIE FROM THE GAMBIA WEST AFRICA said:
jihad is a war against oneself first by doing all that allah wants and avoid what the all migthy ask you not to.then help others to fight against their satanic disires and doings with patience and all the good manners at ones disposal.
ALLAHU-AKBAR.
ALLAHU-AKBAR.
2002-08-22
NASRIN FROM CANADA said:
i am so happy to hear from u on the most misunderstood term in islam i would request u to keep me informed on such terms to help us to become a better muslim at the same time we to can help in clearing the image of islam which is being tarnished by the infidels also i would want u keep in touch more often at the same time give us inf on purity good virtues farz in namaz sunnah in namaz when namaz becomes invalid some hadith etc
2002-08-18
NUHA JARJU FROM THE GAMBIA said:
I think this what people do not undrestsnd.This situation always happen even here in The Gambia.Just resently some femail girls were beaten to coma for wearing short dress,and those responsible claim they are on gihad.Any way i will print this message and show it to some people
Thanks!
Thanks!
2002-08-16
HAMEEDA FAROOQUI FROM UNITED STATES said:
I am forever seeing the damages of interest in our society, America would be great country if not for the greedy dividing the population to 10% rich and 90% poor, I think we should start a non interest club which different businesses should be encouraged to join and it will bring customers to them at first it will be hard but if furniture stores and car dealerships run by muslims can join such a club, and let it be known that they are part of a non interest club, muslims as well as non muslims would be encouraged to do business with them. Muslims will do it cause it will be halal, non muslims will do it because it will save them money. Eventually it may take a long time but all businesses will feel the pressure,
we can start with furniture companies & car dealerships with their own financing available than the others will follow for the fact that it will be available to all credit levels to have non interest purchases. I think it will work but we have to do this together. INSHALLAH.
we can start with furniture companies & car dealerships with their own financing available than the others will follow for the fact that it will be available to all credit levels to have non interest purchases. I think it will work but we have to do this together. INSHALLAH.
2002-08-07
SABBIR SULEMAN MEHTA FROM INDIA said:
It is only easy practice observed by the world community that each and every time where each and any point some people declaring jihad. Jihad word is like becoming a verb in grammer.Where verb is define as the thing to do is called verbs. So my dear frien dont say word jihad for any purpose. Whenever you want to advise you can convince the people by saying them about morality, descipline and the individual obligation. The muslim society is lacking of hardworking, disipline, dedication about their religious or social or individual benefits,even it observed that muslim society is far behind in aducational activities. If you want see muslin world through everywhere you just give your attention towards education only. Otherwise muslim society will be in vulnerable position, that you cant imagine. Still lots of cause to be follow against the muslim society. so please dont talk each and every time about jihad. Jihad is only last last last option where you dont have an option to do. first you should have complete defination about jihad and then talk abaoaut ok my dear friend . next time i will talkn to you.
my address is [email protected]
my address is [email protected]
2002-08-06
QASIM NIAZI FROM PAKISTAN said:
iam thankful to the organization for the work it has been doing for the better image for islam.
please keep writing to me about the challenges faced by the muslim world now a days.i think that muslims have forgotten the teachings of islam and sayings (hadith) of prophet hazrat MOHAMMAD PEACE BE UPON HIM.we are rather paying more attention to what the world is saying today.the basic problem with the muslims is the lack of strength . they can not implement what they think is correct.we are unable to defend our views and solidarity.e.g there is no such muslim power which can stop what is happening in Palestine , Kashmire and other occupied parts of the muslim world .we are living according to the will of christians. the one of muslim world if it has got military power its economic conditions are poor.the non muslims(americans) are defending our holy places in saudia arabia.we are afriad of telling that the jihad in military form against the israel and other brutal armies is correct and based on justice.we need unity to defend our views and solidarity and to help our brothers in palestine , kashmire,bosnia etc.
i hope that your organization will keep engaged with me.
thanks and Allah Hafiz.
please keep writing to me about the challenges faced by the muslim world now a days.i think that muslims have forgotten the teachings of islam and sayings (hadith) of prophet hazrat MOHAMMAD PEACE BE UPON HIM.we are rather paying more attention to what the world is saying today.the basic problem with the muslims is the lack of strength . they can not implement what they think is correct.we are unable to defend our views and solidarity.e.g there is no such muslim power which can stop what is happening in Palestine , Kashmire and other occupied parts of the muslim world .we are living according to the will of christians. the one of muslim world if it has got military power its economic conditions are poor.the non muslims(americans) are defending our holy places in saudia arabia.we are afriad of telling that the jihad in military form against the israel and other brutal armies is correct and based on justice.we need unity to defend our views and solidarity and to help our brothers in palestine , kashmire,bosnia etc.
i hope that your organization will keep engaged with me.
thanks and Allah Hafiz.
2002-08-05
CASLINA FROM JAPAN said:
im really thankful 4 the info bout te true meaning of jihad...being a muslim who`s not literarete in arabic language i also was quite confused of the true meaning of jihad...it was not only the war but also every struggle that we face everyday.i`ll make a point of correcting my friends if they refer jihad as holy war in the future..but there`s one question that i would like to ask.say like they say that if a person die of jihad he/she goes straight 2 heaven but does this jihad refers to the jihad of war or does it mean like if i died while i was having the jihad of the soul do i go straight to heaven too??
2002-08-02
MALIK-UL-ISLAM FROM INDIA said:
alhamdullilah,
no research or even inventions are
claimed by muslims and they have started
murdering people by loosing patience.
COPYING CULTURES OF OTHERS IS NOT WHAT
THE PROPHETS HAVE TAUGHT.4MARRIAGES ARE
NOT FOR ENJOYMENT BUT TO SUPPORT WOMEN
WHO ARE WAR WIDOWS,ORPHANS,ETC
PREACHERS ARE NOT TEACHERS TILL THEY DONT
PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH TO 100%LEVEL.
MUSLIMS OF THE WORLD SHOULD CORRECT THEMSELVES
AND THEN CORRECT AMERICA!BY TALKS ADVISE OR BOYCOTTING.BRINGING DOWN THE TOWER HAS MADE THE
ENEMY MORE STRONGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!AND HUMILIATING FOR ISLAMIC WORLD.
no research or even inventions are
claimed by muslims and they have started
murdering people by loosing patience.
COPYING CULTURES OF OTHERS IS NOT WHAT
THE PROPHETS HAVE TAUGHT.4MARRIAGES ARE
NOT FOR ENJOYMENT BUT TO SUPPORT WOMEN
WHO ARE WAR WIDOWS,ORPHANS,ETC
PREACHERS ARE NOT TEACHERS TILL THEY DONT
PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH TO 100%LEVEL.
MUSLIMS OF THE WORLD SHOULD CORRECT THEMSELVES
AND THEN CORRECT AMERICA!BY TALKS ADVISE OR BOYCOTTING.BRINGING DOWN THE TOWER HAS MADE THE
ENEMY MORE STRONGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!AND HUMILIATING FOR ISLAMIC WORLD.
2002-08-01
SYED MUHAMMAD FARAZ SHIBLI FROM PAKISTAN said:
I am 14 years old and want to know more about islam.i liked your way of preeching islam.can you
please enter some of hadiz in this bulleten
please enter some of hadiz in this bulleten
2002-08-01
CHERINE MOUSTAFA FROM EGYPT said:
I agree about what was published on this sight and i just wanted to emphasize on the point that the lest level of Jihad is to fight.
Another point I want to explain here is that one cant take a single word from its text and then judge on it without understanding its real meaning, espacially if the one who tried to explain it is not an expert wether in Islam or in Arabic language. For example, if i want to understand a french word, naturally i would ask a frenchman. I wouldnt definitelly ask an Englishman for explaining it to me. Thus, any forgeiner who wants to understand any islamic concept, it would be better if he/she asks any muslim expert that he/she trusts, or even Islamic sites are now available to everyone who is interested in getting what is Islam.
Finally, I would like to pray for eveyrone who plays a role even if it is a small one in clarifyig the picture of Islam.
Asalamou Alykom
Another point I want to explain here is that one cant take a single word from its text and then judge on it without understanding its real meaning, espacially if the one who tried to explain it is not an expert wether in Islam or in Arabic language. For example, if i want to understand a french word, naturally i would ask a frenchman. I wouldnt definitelly ask an Englishman for explaining it to me. Thus, any forgeiner who wants to understand any islamic concept, it would be better if he/she asks any muslim expert that he/she trusts, or even Islamic sites are now available to everyone who is interested in getting what is Islam.
Finally, I would like to pray for eveyrone who plays a role even if it is a small one in clarifyig the picture of Islam.
Asalamou Alykom
2002-07-30
KEMO KANTEH FROM THE GAMBIA said:
mine is very short.The only answer to the muslim umma is we need togetherness.We seem not to be united.We need to be united and understand the teaching so that the unbelievers cannot defeat us.It is rather unbearing to see on tv how isreali's are killing our brother muslim.We must unite under one umbrella to solve this problem.The same applies to wherever muslims are undergoing hardship.
2002-07-28
CLYDE FROM USA said:
I like the way you interpret Jihad as struggle. I
think that you may be off a little when you
concieve the thought that the fanaticl warrior is
the American view. Looking at many news cast you
see the warriors referring to the jihad as a
violent struggle against their enemies.
Traditionally the term jihad has been use to
describe a holly war. This is not American.
think that you may be off a little when you
concieve the thought that the fanaticl warrior is
the American view. Looking at many news cast you
see the warriors referring to the jihad as a
violent struggle against their enemies.
Traditionally the term jihad has been use to
describe a holly war. This is not American.
2002-07-28
L BOUGIMA FROM USA said:
Assalam wa allaikum...
I'm an American Muslim and proud to be of the faith.It is also a JIHAD for one to hear cruel and racial remarks because one who wears a hajib or covers their body for respect. Living in America, a country of diversity one would think there should be consideration of others. One should not be judge by what others do. I know i am a good Muslim, and I don't need to jihad this for anybody. Remember Allah knows all, even if it is silent to someone else..
I'm an American Muslim and proud to be of the faith.It is also a JIHAD for one to hear cruel and racial remarks because one who wears a hajib or covers their body for respect. Living in America, a country of diversity one would think there should be consideration of others. One should not be judge by what others do. I know i am a good Muslim, and I don't need to jihad this for anybody. Remember Allah knows all, even if it is silent to someone else..
2002-07-28
ALLAHYAR FROM CANADA said:
Really nice article Mashallah...
2002-07-27
AL HAJJ AKBAR ABDULLAH EL-AMIN FROM AMERICA said:
The Comments concerning the duty of Jihad of each individual against the wickedness of his own soul and the vices of his own deeds. Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon him. As he stood on the Munbar on Fridays, as he opened the Kutbah. Would say in his opening remarks after prasing Allah."We seek refuge with Allah from the evil of our own souls and the wickedness of our own deeds or (A"Mallee) or actions. This should be the focus of Jihad and this is where it differs from (Quital)Which should be stated from every Munbar around the world by every Imam or Shiek who delivers the Sermon on Fridays.It would be benifical to us if our religious leaders would focus on these remarks and teach on them to make the Islamic community understand them and take up this practice ourselves and so that we can properly explain it to others. The greatst "Jihad is against ourselves and our own Jinn." and in the Sunna of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) we to should strive to make our own personal Jinn that attepts to make us practice (Sayi'aaat) or evil deeds a Muslim.As is mentioned in his Sunna. As the Messanger said in his final address go and spread the word and tell those who were not present"
As Sallam Alikum wa Rahmatull'ah
As Sallam Alikum wa Rahmatull'ah
2002-07-27
HJDINRAHIM FROM MALAYSIA said:
I agreed with you what AlQuran means for jihad. Generally jihad means our muslim brothers should struggle to uplift the standing in this new era where religions is a secondary to almost anything. To achieved this aur muslim brothers should berjihad ( malays words means to adopt ) in every fields and faculties such as education, sciences, technolgies,melitaries stretagies and etc so that the muslims will the reference centre to kowledge that Allah had created to us human being. The golden Islamic era, muslims were forfront in all fields and faculties so much so the middle ages Europeans looks to Islam to help to to learn. Medecines and phamacologies were form Muslis experts such as IbnuSinna. But to we thounght of war strunggles and terrorist doings in to acheived muslis aspiration, but we forgot we are much backwards in all the technologies of war. War in Afgananistan shoul open our eye,so much new technologies of war was applied. We learn all so that we are respected as equals to them in terms so that we can dictate our terms in discussion. Your Org must try this to forward smiliar message to our muslim brothers. Let us be strong in everythings that got gives us Human and dont blame anybodies on our on ingnorant. Thankyou
Wasalam. pl.reply.hjk
Wasalam. pl.reply.hjk
2002-07-27
MUSTAQ ALI FROM UK said:
An intresting concept and one which I agree with, however is it true that if someone leaves Islam for another religion they aught to be killed? or are we to "struggle" to display in our daily life the true meaning of Islam so they may return to the straight path.
2002-07-26
NORA FROM US said:
I found this article very intersting. I am a convert. I am trying to read up on everything i can to understand so I can become a better muslim. thank you
2002-07-26
STEPHAN FROM USA said:
It is interesting that you spend such energy trying to spin the Koran into a loving document.
These quotes are very clear and are taken directly
from the Koran. No interpretation is really needed. If you belive in the Koran is a perfect document then you must belive in the quotes below. Having these phrases as the core structure in your belief can lead to nothing but conflict with others who dont belive as you. Christians have no excuses for killing non belivers but in Islam -it seems to be an obligation.
Dont try to put PR spins on Islam. Tell the truth!
If the cashier undercharges you and he/she isnt a beliver - Kill them!
________________________________________________
O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and Christians for friends; they are but friends of one another; and whoever among you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them....
You will find [those hypocrites] who would like to be safe from you and [also] secure from their own people. As often as they are sent back to the mischief they get thrown into it headlong. Therefore, if they do not withdraw from you, offer you peace, and restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them; against these We have given you a clear authority.
Those who believe, fight in the Cause of Allah, and those who disbelieve fight in the cause of Satan. Fight therefore against the friends of the Satan; surely the strategy of the Satan is weak.
4.89. They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be like them; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly [follow] in Allah's way. But if they turn back [to disbelief], then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper.
And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah [disbelief and worshiping of other gods along with Allah) is worse than ki
These quotes are very clear and are taken directly
from the Koran. No interpretation is really needed. If you belive in the Koran is a perfect document then you must belive in the quotes below. Having these phrases as the core structure in your belief can lead to nothing but conflict with others who dont belive as you. Christians have no excuses for killing non belivers but in Islam -it seems to be an obligation.
Dont try to put PR spins on Islam. Tell the truth!
If the cashier undercharges you and he/she isnt a beliver - Kill them!
________________________________________________
O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and Christians for friends; they are but friends of one another; and whoever among you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them....
You will find [those hypocrites] who would like to be safe from you and [also] secure from their own people. As often as they are sent back to the mischief they get thrown into it headlong. Therefore, if they do not withdraw from you, offer you peace, and restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them; against these We have given you a clear authority.
Those who believe, fight in the Cause of Allah, and those who disbelieve fight in the cause of Satan. Fight therefore against the friends of the Satan; surely the strategy of the Satan is weak.
4.89. They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be like them; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly [follow] in Allah's way. But if they turn back [to disbelief], then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper.
And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah [disbelief and worshiping of other gods along with Allah) is worse than ki
2002-07-26
JAMEEL KONDE FROM KENYA said:
may thanks and glory be given to ALLAH for givimg me this chance to pass my congratulations for the good work that you are doing.and in the grace of ALLAH we MUSLIMS shall succed in defeating the evil ibilis,may ALLAH bless you for your good work INSHAALLAH.
2002-07-26
KHALID FROM INDIA said:
ur article on jihad was spendid as it cleared the misconceptions about the usage of the word.
2002-07-26
FROM FRANCE said:
2002-07-26
JUNAID MUGHAL FROM PAKISTAN = BAHRAIN + CHINA === A STUDENT said:
Assalam-o-alaikum,thanks 4 sending these types of informative mails. i hope 2 see the same in the future also. ALLAH HAFIZ
The face;
JUNAID MUGHAL
CHINA
The face;
JUNAID MUGHAL
CHINA
2002-07-26
ZIAUL HUDA FROM INDIA said:
Actually Jihad is misinterpreted and misunderstood.It needs more awareness among the common masses.
Jihad means to contain and suppress ones evil desires or at times go against it.
Jihad means to contain and suppress ones evil desires or at times go against it.
2002-07-26
MUCAHID DOGAN FROM TURKIYE said:
I wanna congratulate you for this cool miracle!!! But you must do your utmost to make much more people hear these facts.
2002-07-26
ABUBAKAR UBALE DAUDA FROM NIGERIA said:
The piece on that Jihad as a struggle not as misunderstood by many is quite educative. Me thinks the western world actually understand the meaning of the term.They only present it as deragatory inorder to satisfy their selfish ends and decieve the world. However, they will not succeed INSHA ALLAH.
2002-07-26
ALISHA FROM CANADA said:
This article was very informative and exilerating. I learned more now about the term "Jihad" and its mistranslation. Thank you for clearing this mistake up for me and everyone else. I look forward to reading more articles like this one that are intriguing and informative.
2002-07-26
SAMINA FROM USA said:
JIHAD IS A HOLY WAR TO PROTECT ISLAM.
2002-07-26
FATIMA FROM AFGHNESTAN said:
i agree with the writer that the word "jihad" does not mean only fighting by weapens and its meaning is very wide, but in order to achieve this wide meaning you have to find the strong basis for it. these strong basis will never be achieved except through one of the most important meaning of the "jehad" which is the jehad by the money and selves. in another meaning it is the "ketal". the reason for that is the unbelievabal force of other idiologies that contract the meaning of islam and want to achieve their own agenda even if it means to crash the islamic idology to find its ways and to achieve its goal. if the peacful effort will not work, then the jehad by the meaning of fighting is the way. this kind of jehad is the one that achieves the highest meaning of the word islam, and the one that God promised to reward who ever does it for the sake of Allah in order to make His word the highest by the hightest level of heaven. in the same time if we denied this meaning we would just explaine the word "jehad" the (american) way.
2002-07-25
JUHAA FROM USA said:
Jazakallah kahir,Hashim that was excellent article and tru meaning of Jihad.Iwas born as muslim and new that Jihad the way Allah talk his Holly Quran,but Itry to tell othes at my work even though people gone far and don,t think that you are telling the truth about the real meaning of Jihad.My comment is oll of us must work hard to give others better idea of the word Jihad.Thanks all brathers and sisters who post their comments in this such wonderful article.
2002-07-25
MOBY FROM UK said:
the hadith you use in your article 'Jihad in America,
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), upon returning from a battle, remarked to his companions that they were returning from the "lesser jihad" of fighting to the "greater jihad" of struggling against the evil temptations of the soul.
this hadith is fabricated, the best jihad is to physically fight not to fight your desires.
Think about it islam's message was spread through the sword not through words.
If we muslims are to be successful we must fight not listen to phoney schloars who tell us that there is no reason to fight, because the prophet said that jihad will always be taking place until the day of judgement and that's fighting.
Please do not try to brainwash people into misguiding them on jihad
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), upon returning from a battle, remarked to his companions that they were returning from the "lesser jihad" of fighting to the "greater jihad" of struggling against the evil temptations of the soul.
this hadith is fabricated, the best jihad is to physically fight not to fight your desires.
Think about it islam's message was spread through the sword not through words.
If we muslims are to be successful we must fight not listen to phoney schloars who tell us that there is no reason to fight, because the prophet said that jihad will always be taking place until the day of judgement and that's fighting.
Please do not try to brainwash people into misguiding them on jihad
2002-07-25
DR.MOHAMMED AZMATHULLAH FROM USA said:
Alhamdolillah. It is a perfect intepretation of the word'Jihad'. It is most unfortunate that such an 'all encompassing' word of human vertues is misinterpreted in such hateful thing as 'war' and 'terrorism'. Yes true Jihad is conquering one's own carnal desires and all temptations that soil our soul.May Allah bless us all with the true understanding of Jihad and help us follow it in our every day life.Ameen.It is the duty of every one of us to understand, practice and propogate the true meaning to fellow humanbeings and this itself is a great Jihad.
2002-07-25
MAJED ADADA FROM CANADA said:
This is a very good article that clears the often confused idea behind jihad. The American media with the consent of the government try to give people the wrong impression of muslims.
2002-07-25
RASHID HAMZAH FROM USA said:
It is time for Muslims to stop being apologetic to the enemies of Allah. It's truth the term Jihad means Struggle however the hadith you quoted about the Greater Jihad vs. the lesser jihad to my understanding is a fabricated hadith to get Muslim to stop fighting for the sake of Allah.
The Muslim Army at one time was feared. The Khilafah was the world power. The world was a better place. The kufar needed to find away to defeat the Muslims. The began to redefine Islam.
Everyday I fight against my human nafs. If I die doing that I go into the grave and will be questioned by the Angels. I better get the answers right or there is a Hammer waiting for me.
If I, while fighting the enemies of Allah, should be kill, I die Shahid and go straight to the Jennah. Which is the Greater Jihad. The one that I go into the grave or the one that I go to Jennah.
DON'T LET THE ENEMIES OF ALLAH DEFINE ISLAM FOR US.
ALLAH ALREADY DEFINED AND COMPLETED OUR DEEN FOR US.
WHO'S DEFINITION IS BETTER.
ASSALAMU ALAIKUM
The Muslim Army at one time was feared. The Khilafah was the world power. The world was a better place. The kufar needed to find away to defeat the Muslims. The began to redefine Islam.
Everyday I fight against my human nafs. If I die doing that I go into the grave and will be questioned by the Angels. I better get the answers right or there is a Hammer waiting for me.
If I, while fighting the enemies of Allah, should be kill, I die Shahid and go straight to the Jennah. Which is the Greater Jihad. The one that I go into the grave or the one that I go to Jennah.
DON'T LET THE ENEMIES OF ALLAH DEFINE ISLAM FOR US.
ALLAH ALREADY DEFINED AND COMPLETED OUR DEEN FOR US.
WHO'S DEFINITION IS BETTER.
ASSALAMU ALAIKUM
2002-07-25
REED RAYES FROM LEBANON said:
Dear owners of islam city site:
Thank you very much for your weekly newsletter.
I have one question:
why you don't use arabic language in your site as you do with other languages.
thanks
reedrayes
Thank you very much for your weekly newsletter.
I have one question:
why you don't use arabic language in your site as you do with other languages.
thanks
reedrayes
2002-07-25
ALI FROM PAKISTAN said:
you people said of jihad in only america , that form of jihad in also done by muslims living in other parts of the world not in only america
2002-07-25
ZAYNAB MHAWASH FROM USA said:
I very well written article on what a Jihad is and can be .As all people from all faiths face these issues everyday but so many people associte the word( Jihad) with a War against others by Muslims..Thank you ..
2002-07-25
ABDUL HAMMID AHMAD FROM GERMANY said:
All Praises be to ALLAH
As Salaam O Alaikum
Dear Brother,
Thank you very much on the different types of Jihad's that we as Muslims meet each everyday. I was feeling quite down intil i read the your article on Jihad, again All Praises be to Allah and may he continue to bless you in your writing to uplift Muslim's throughout the world.
Sincerely,
Abdul Hammid Ahmad
As Salaam O Alaikum
Dear Brother,
Thank you very much on the different types of Jihad's that we as Muslims meet each everyday. I was feeling quite down intil i read the your article on Jihad, again All Praises be to Allah and may he continue to bless you in your writing to uplift Muslim's throughout the world.
Sincerely,
Abdul Hammid Ahmad
2002-07-25
YUSUF FROM HOLLAND said:
Assalam Alaykum,
please check your sheighs, as the text of the lesser jihad is a weak hadith, which was discused in your side some weeks ago.
yusuf
please check your sheighs, as the text of the lesser jihad is a weak hadith, which was discused in your side some weeks ago.
yusuf
2002-07-25
SANAM FROM USA said:
Subhan Allah!wonderful tafseer about Jihad.God give us that truth path and strength .Aameen.
2002-07-25
AISHAH A.GHANI FROM SINGAPIRE said:
I strongly agree with the comments on the actual meaning in JIHAD.I believed if everyone of us play a small part and contribute for others,we
will hve peaceful world where ALLAH has created
for us.
thks
aishah
will hve peaceful world where ALLAH has created
for us.
thks
aishah
2002-07-25
SHARIF AHMED FROM USA said:
Very nice article. We would like to have an article about a new addition to the list of mistranslated words - 'Madrasah'.
Thank you.
Thank you.
2002-07-24
TASHIKA CAMPBELL FROM USA said:
As Salaamu Alaikum!!
This article was very uplifting, as now I am having a diffcult time in the workplace. Reading this has helped me understand the everyday struggles I am encountering. With the mercy and grace of ALLAH(SWT), I knew that I can make it through these trying times. Thank you for this and other articles that have helped to uplift me spiritually. May ALLAH continue to keep you and bless you!!!
This article was very uplifting, as now I am having a diffcult time in the workplace. Reading this has helped me understand the everyday struggles I am encountering. With the mercy and grace of ALLAH(SWT), I knew that I can make it through these trying times. Thank you for this and other articles that have helped to uplift me spiritually. May ALLAH continue to keep you and bless you!!!
2002-07-24
ALI MOHSIN ALI LAWATY FROM SULTANATE OF OMAN, ARABIAN GULF said:
I had long thought on the subject of Jihad, and was always disturbed by its given meaning of "holy war", knowing too well that "jihad" did not in the least mean "holy or unholy war".
Its meaning could have come out of people lesser knowledgeable in the Arabic language, or those who have always tried, and continue to try even this moment, to distort the image of Islam. Cause, these sources are aware that Islam is the real religion, but want to fight for reasons most convenient to them.
Those who read Bible, understand it, will not want to fight anyone in the world. But these people who deliberately want to distort the image of Islam are people/governments who want to serve their personal interests. Otherwise, how could they fight Muslims everywhere, from times unknown to us.
Jihad, as you stated, does of course mean "struggle" in life for that what is good and what we should attempt to. Jihad, what people know today, has nothing to do with any 'holy war". Next, who has the authority of a holy war. A holy war cannot be declared through mouth word of any one. It has to be a source of Islamic authority, approved by the majority.
Jihad, a better meaning, is jihad of the NAFS (self). We have to fight the temptations which pop up every day, every moment, in our lives, specially in present time life.
Jihad, is Ijtihad....
and not a holy war.
Then, I have observed people fighting for their political reasons, for their homeland, for reasons convenient to them .. in the name of "holy war". Have these people consulted those in authority to declare Jihad against a certain people. Then, why not all Muslims together fight their enemy Numero Uno---America. What's Israel, if not America itself. For the sake of political convenience, America is fighting in the Middle East in the name of Israel. It's fighting the Islamic world everywhere in the whole Islamic world in different ways. Why then don't we declare war against America AS A WHOLE, it it's jiha
Its meaning could have come out of people lesser knowledgeable in the Arabic language, or those who have always tried, and continue to try even this moment, to distort the image of Islam. Cause, these sources are aware that Islam is the real religion, but want to fight for reasons most convenient to them.
Those who read Bible, understand it, will not want to fight anyone in the world. But these people who deliberately want to distort the image of Islam are people/governments who want to serve their personal interests. Otherwise, how could they fight Muslims everywhere, from times unknown to us.
Jihad, as you stated, does of course mean "struggle" in life for that what is good and what we should attempt to. Jihad, what people know today, has nothing to do with any 'holy war". Next, who has the authority of a holy war. A holy war cannot be declared through mouth word of any one. It has to be a source of Islamic authority, approved by the majority.
Jihad, a better meaning, is jihad of the NAFS (self). We have to fight the temptations which pop up every day, every moment, in our lives, specially in present time life.
Jihad, is Ijtihad....
and not a holy war.
Then, I have observed people fighting for their political reasons, for their homeland, for reasons convenient to them .. in the name of "holy war". Have these people consulted those in authority to declare Jihad against a certain people. Then, why not all Muslims together fight their enemy Numero Uno---America. What's Israel, if not America itself. For the sake of political convenience, America is fighting in the Middle East in the name of Israel. It's fighting the Islamic world everywhere in the whole Islamic world in different ways. Why then don't we declare war against America AS A WHOLE, it it's jiha
2002-07-24
EVA S DARBY FROM USA said:
JIHAD, THIS WORD, I COULD NEVER UNDERSTAND, BUT TODAY AFTER READING TIS REPORT, IT REALLY OPEN MY EYES, AND I AM SO GLADE THAT IT HAPPEN,
2002-07-24
M.SABITH ALI FROM CANADA said:
Excellent description and true meanning of JIHAD.How can we change the image of media and their misunderstanding of this word and educate all? What could be teh best approach and who should be doing it? We all do it in a small way. Like your email circulation is only for muslims, but this message needs to go to non muslims. How do you think we do it? if you are doing it share so we can try too. Jazakallah kahir
2002-07-24
M.SABITH ALI said:
Excellent description and true meanning of JIHAD.How can we change the image of media and their misunderstanding of this word and educate all? What could be teh best approach and who should be doing it? We all do it in a small way. Like your email circulation is only for muslims, but this message needs to go to non muslims. How do you think we do it? if you are doing it share so we can try too. Jazakallah kahir
2002-07-24
ABDULWASII FROM NIGERIA said:
asalam alaikum dear brs & sis. in islam i so much appreciate the article but i will appreciate it gbetter if you can educate us more on the effort of our fellow muslims in palestine to combart the jewish conspiracy
masalam
masalam
2002-07-24
FAIZNOORI FROM PAKISTAN said:
God bless you.
thanks.
khuda hafiz
thanks.
khuda hafiz
2002-07-24
MALIK-UL-ISLAM FROM INDIA said:
IS AMERICA DOING "STRUGGLE" TO BECOME A SUPER
POWER?
IS SUICIDE BOMBING ALLOWED IN ISLAMIC STRUGGLE?
(I AM WRITING STRUGGLE FOR JEHAD).
TO BE PATIENT IS JEHAD?
POWER?
IS SUICIDE BOMBING ALLOWED IN ISLAMIC STRUGGLE?
(I AM WRITING STRUGGLE FOR JEHAD).
TO BE PATIENT IS JEHAD?
2002-07-24
WIDHI W. ACHADI FROM INDONESIA said:
thank for your article. Its a good article, and I wait for others.
2002-07-24
NADIA ABEER FROM KUWAIT said:
What about the other forms of Jehad? Jehad against injustice and Jehad against oppression?What about the final form of Jehad, the armed struggle against the invaders? What about the Qital ( the holy war)? Isn't another form of Jehad? You deliberately keem mum on the loftier dimension of other forms of Jehad? You see to be try to tailor the concept of Jehad to the whims and desires of American policies?
Nadia Abeer,
Kuwait.
What about the other forms of Jehad? Jehad against injustice and Jehad against oppression?What about the final form of Jehad, the armed struggle against the invaders? What about the Qital ( the holy war)? Isn't another form of Jehad? You deliberately keem mum on the loftier dimension of other forms of Jehad? You see to be try to tailor the concept of Jehad to the whims and desires of American policies?
Nadia Abeer,
Kuwait.
2002-07-24
UHIBU JIHAD FROM AUSTRALIA said:
You seem embarrassed by the fighting jihad. May Allah guide you. Ameen.
2002-07-24
TASLEMA FROM U.S.A said:
Salaam, I believe this article will be very helpful to many who did not know the correct meaning of Jihad. To be honest I felt a peace of mind when I read this article , and inshallah the message will spread. A lot of strong point was mentioned in this article, and I think we need more articles like these..Sincerely, proud sister in miami
2002-07-24
NA'IMAH JOHNSON FROM USA said:
My personal jihad of having been born,raised and still living here in the USA has been my effort to revert to Islam. Now, that by the grace of Allah(swt)I have accepted Islam and i am trying to seek the other half of my deen (Husband),Some of my Brothers that know full well why we wear the Khilmarr,want to marry the Muslimah If she will agree not to wear the Khilmarr. Now, some of us are more than happy to oblige,but "I'm" not. How can the one who didn't make the law,ask us to break the law? My husband will have to understand that pleasing Allah(swt) and His Prophet(as)always comes first. There is know way that i intend to serve two Gods,knowing that their is only "ONE". One would think that after accepting Islam, we, as brothers and Sisters would not allow or expect this to happen. Some of us are just learning how to put some clothes on, and we come to this religion full of admiration and amazement just to be asked to undress again,by no less than a "Brother".My personal Jihad is to keep my clothes "on", Here!! in America.
2002-07-24
RINA NASUTION FROM INDONESIA said:
Assalamu'alaikum Wr.Wb.,
A question I would like to ask about jihad term is that " How do we acknowledge that if it is a jihad or not when we find something against what we believe and willing to change or fight it ?".
Wassalam,
Rina Nasution
A question I would like to ask about jihad term is that " How do we acknowledge that if it is a jihad or not when we find something against what we believe and willing to change or fight it ?".
Wassalam,
Rina Nasution
2002-07-24
MAHOMED HAROUN KHAN FROM SOUTH AFRICA said:
Your article on "JIHAD IN AMERICA" was informative. I respectfully state that much more emphasis must be given to the greater Jihad, that is, the need to control ones unlawful and base desires and to sincerely attempt to eradicate them completely.Also important is the need to act positively in obeying the commands of Almighty ALLAH as shown to us in the exemplary life of the noble Prophet Muhammad(may Exalted ALLAH shower our infinite duroods and Salutations upon him).
We need to place actual and real trust in Almighty Allah rather than paying mere lip service. Just as one would only accept a person as a true friend only after such person has proved his loyalty, trustworthiness and true friendship over a period of time, so does Almighty and Exalted ALLAH sometimes wait for our genuine sincerity before we are allowed to advance nearer towards him. To think of the Supreme and Majestic Creator and Sustainer only in time of our need runs contrary to genuine and true friendship. How then does one expect to receive the promised help fron the Lord Of The Worlds?
We know that Shaitaan(the devil) can never enter Heaven. But Shaitaan, who was a jinn, knew beyond doubt, of the existence of Almighty and Exalted ALLAH. The Noble and most Illustrious Prophet Muhammad(SAW} said that every being with a pin-drop of Imaan will one day enter into Heaven. The beings subject to accountability on the Day Of Judgement are both human beings and Jinns. Does not Shaitaan outwardly fit the profile of having that pin-drop Imaan to enter one day into heaven on account of his knowledge of the existence of the Supreme CREATOR? The answer is "NO". The reason therefor is that the belief of Shaitaan is "to know" but not "to accept and believe"
If you accept and believe, as many of us profess to, then what stops us from acting upon our beliefs;Or is it that it is just that we know but do not actually accept and believe. If this is the case,Almighty ALLAH forbid,we need to ponder deeply !!!
We need to place actual and real trust in Almighty Allah rather than paying mere lip service. Just as one would only accept a person as a true friend only after such person has proved his loyalty, trustworthiness and true friendship over a period of time, so does Almighty and Exalted ALLAH sometimes wait for our genuine sincerity before we are allowed to advance nearer towards him. To think of the Supreme and Majestic Creator and Sustainer only in time of our need runs contrary to genuine and true friendship. How then does one expect to receive the promised help fron the Lord Of The Worlds?
We know that Shaitaan(the devil) can never enter Heaven. But Shaitaan, who was a jinn, knew beyond doubt, of the existence of Almighty and Exalted ALLAH. The Noble and most Illustrious Prophet Muhammad(SAW} said that every being with a pin-drop of Imaan will one day enter into Heaven. The beings subject to accountability on the Day Of Judgement are both human beings and Jinns. Does not Shaitaan outwardly fit the profile of having that pin-drop Imaan to enter one day into heaven on account of his knowledge of the existence of the Supreme CREATOR? The answer is "NO". The reason therefor is that the belief of Shaitaan is "to know" but not "to accept and believe"
If you accept and believe, as many of us profess to, then what stops us from acting upon our beliefs;Or is it that it is just that we know but do not actually accept and believe. If this is the case,Almighty ALLAH forbid,we need to ponder deeply !!!
2002-07-23
MAGEN FROM USA said:
I subscribed to IslamiCity Bulletin - [email protected] to gain a better understanding of Islam....especially since Sept 11. While I have learned a lot about Islam, after receiving the bulletin, Jihad in America (Sat, 20 Jul 2002), I think there is much for Muslims to learn about the Islam of many, many, many other Muslims. Many Muslims have told me they agreed with the statement that jihad means holy war to battle in combat infidels, with the objective to kill the infidels. My suggestion to IslamiCity Bulletin would be to represent a "unified" Islamic message in their bulletin. This would offer non-muslims a clearer understanding of what Islam is truly about & it would enhance Muslims credibility among people who are of different faiths... it's difficult to believe that 'jihad' is only a "personal" battle when the middle east does such an excellent job of presenting themselves as believers that jihad is about killing the infidels. Besides a great loss in human life & much destruction, Sept 11 left the Islamic community with a horrible "image" problem (albeit unjustly ..... most muslim people I know are kind, sweet, intelligent patriotic Americans who often attend church with me and whose homes I visit often. They are the ones which have stated the worst result from Sept 11, besides the loss of life, is the horrible image & public relations problems the Islamic community is left with. It is true that one bad apple can spoil the entire barrell. This is true for all faiths but since the terrorists of Sept 11 professed to be muslims, then they have created the bad p.r. for Islam. I admire your efforts to present a peaceful islam & to better educate your readers but your approach seems confusing & un-unified. Mine is only a suggestion & one that may or may not benefit the masses. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to offer my suggestion. Tuesday 7-23-02
2002-07-23
NAUSHAD FROM UK said:
Sallaams..just a small correction
The incident mentioned i.e. The Prophet(saw) stating about going from the lesser Jihad to greater Jihad is fabricated. Their is no definite evidence of this. Jihad was shown to us by the Prophet(saw) as the foreign policy of the Khilafah as a means to spread the Deen. And the Quran mentions this type of Jihad on many occasions. I think it is better to leave out the weak evidences and include the true nature of Jihad which is the method illustrated to us by the Prophet(saw) to spread the Deen. Obviously today this is absent due to the absence of the Khilafah which is a responsibility on our necks today to establish.
JZK
Naushad
The incident mentioned i.e. The Prophet(saw) stating about going from the lesser Jihad to greater Jihad is fabricated. Their is no definite evidence of this. Jihad was shown to us by the Prophet(saw) as the foreign policy of the Khilafah as a means to spread the Deen. And the Quran mentions this type of Jihad on many occasions. I think it is better to leave out the weak evidences and include the true nature of Jihad which is the method illustrated to us by the Prophet(saw) to spread the Deen. Obviously today this is absent due to the absence of the Khilafah which is a responsibility on our necks today to establish.
JZK
Naushad
2002-07-23
EVERETTE G. GRIFFIN FROM USA said:
TRUE INFORMATION IS THE BEGINNING TO OUR UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT OF EACH OTHERS DIFFERANCES WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF OUR ONENESS.
2002-07-23
MARIE JACQUELYNE FROM CANADA said:
I am so glad to have read this article. I am for one to always know the right terms to meanings of words. You can be assured that I will pass it along and correct anyone, journalists included of the meaning of jihad..Thank you ..the article was very eay to understand and very clearly explaine. Keep on giving us understanding. It is appreciated on my part to be well informed..:):):)
2002-07-23
MELISSA PEREZ FROM PA, USA said:
This message was strongly needed, to allow the unknowledgeable citizens anywhere to distinguish between the term "Holy War" and the "Jihad" the struggle to do good, in any situation as Allah want's.
2002-07-23
KOKO ADEREMILEKUN SHAKIRAT FROM NIGERIA said:
As-salam alaykun warahamotulai wabarakatuu.I thank Almighty Allah for using you/your organisation in the course of islam i e bringing peoples awareness to the untruths and misconcetions about islam as the religion of peace and the only way to Aljanah.Ipersonally feel that it's because of the hatred for this religion that is making people to make so much uncessary noise and I also think that it is because people lack knowlegde about the religion that is why they go against anything islamic.Were they informed they will know that there is no better service than serving Allah(swt).Jihad i quite agree with you is struggle for life which every living soul does.Thanks for the article and I pray that Almighty Allah continues to be with and protects muslims and at the end Islam will triumph Inshah Allah.
Ma'salam
koko Shakirat
Ma'salam
koko Shakirat
2002-07-23
SUAD ABDULLAH FROM UNITED STATES said:
Assalamu Alaikum!!
I think people in this country know exactly what the term Jihad means; however, they still mistraslate it, why do you think that is?????
We, the Muslims are tired of trying to defend ourself with words, who no body is listening. They will still try to deviate people from Allahs' path. enemies of Islam will never stop fighting Islam even if they know it is the TRUTH, so sometimes there is no need to fight with words.
I think people in this country know exactly what the term Jihad means; however, they still mistraslate it, why do you think that is?????
We, the Muslims are tired of trying to defend ourself with words, who no body is listening. They will still try to deviate people from Allahs' path. enemies of Islam will never stop fighting Islam even if they know it is the TRUTH, so sometimes there is no need to fight with words.
2002-07-23
SIS. VIOLA GARY FROM USA said:
As Salaamul Alaykum, Jazakulahul Khairun for the reminder and clarification of the most misused word in the deenul Islamiah. I pray to Allah the Most High and All Knowing and Seeing that He continues to bless you and those who are with you in the continued Niseehah that you are providing to Muslims and nonMuslims. This is something that has been needed to be address for some time and surely Allah (awj) knows best. Once again Jazakulahul Khairun. (please give the correct spelling of my thank you) I try to use the Arabic language as much as I am able to do. Sis Viola Gary.
2002-07-23
ZAHRA FROM KUWAIT said:
Pleased to your bringing the attention or focusing the correct meaning of the word Jihad - cause many people are confused thinking the word means the holy war. Extreamly very pleased to learn it's different meaning - i.e. jihad can be in somany ways applied. I wish you could carry on more to bring us to light in many different meanings in the quran words. Thank you and May Almighty God bless you all.
2002-07-23
QURATULAINE FROM USA said:
salaam alaikum
I garee with this 100% because this is the meaning of jihad. A lot of muslims have misunderstood it and then go on and spread wrong messages among nonmuslims. consequently, nonmuslims feel that we hate them for religious differences which is not true. we muslims do not hate anyone in this world, we only hate people's actions.
ma'asalaam
sis
I garee with this 100% because this is the meaning of jihad. A lot of muslims have misunderstood it and then go on and spread wrong messages among nonmuslims. consequently, nonmuslims feel that we hate them for religious differences which is not true. we muslims do not hate anyone in this world, we only hate people's actions.
ma'asalaam
sis
2002-07-23
OMAR BAJABER FROM KENYA said:
Assalam alaikum
I agree with your article that Jihad means a struggle, but I disagree with your using of the hadith that the greater jihad is of the soul. I would like to point out out that this is a fabricated hadith and it's chain of transmitters is not reliable. You can read the details in the book "100 Fabricated Hadith, by Shaikh Abdullah Faisal"
Thank you,
Omar
I agree with your article that Jihad means a struggle, but I disagree with your using of the hadith that the greater jihad is of the soul. I would like to point out out that this is a fabricated hadith and it's chain of transmitters is not reliable. You can read the details in the book "100 Fabricated Hadith, by Shaikh Abdullah Faisal"
Thank you,
Omar
2002-07-23
MUBASHIR FROM US said:
It is very important that when you quote a hadith you have to give its source and authencity. This hadith about greater and lesser jihad is the one used most commonly. Can you say where you got this one from. How authentic is this hadith. Secondly why are you saying that praying five times a day is jihad! Where are these concepts coming from?
2002-07-23
MUHAMMAD HADI BALARABE FROM NIGERIA said:
may Allah help Muslim and Islam any where in this world. Amin.
2002-07-23
AN-NISAA FROM USA said:
Al Hamdulilah. The only way to stop the propaganda in its track.
As salaamu Alaikum.
As salaamu Alaikum.
2002-07-23
MD.MOUTASIUM BILLAH FROM INDIA said:
I am totall agree with yours view. I think it is the real meaning JIHAD. Without Jihad Humanity can not save.It should be duety of every muslim to implemant this real meaning of jehad for better community& better world.Really it is blesssing of almighty Allah for all peace loving people.
2002-07-23
YVONNE FROM USA said:
This article was simply excellent. I really got a reasonable explaination from this article....Thank you for this relevant article....it gave me insight into being responsible for personal conduct
Salaams
Yvonne
I took Shahada with you on March 21. 2002
Salaams
Yvonne
I took Shahada with you on March 21. 2002
2002-07-23
TASLIM ALI FROM GUYANA said:
This concept about "JIHAD" has arise from the post Sept. 11. Since this drastic situation in America, Muslims are targeted in the entire world and are suffering tremoundously in all aspects of life.
Jihad, indedd is a everyday liofe in everyone life, it only means @struggle" and not fight.
What Muslims in America needs to do, is to convince the Americans that Islam is a peaceful religion, you need to keep conference, seminars etc., invite the whtie people and even try to get the President of America to attend and let them know about Islam and moreso, the right concept about Islam.
We need to be very careful in our approaches and have to be very careful.
Muslims leaders and organisations needs to come together and fight against this Jihad Muslims are presently facing, espicially in the Americas.
Assalamu-O-Alaikum
Taslim Ali
Jihad, indedd is a everyday liofe in everyone life, it only means @struggle" and not fight.
What Muslims in America needs to do, is to convince the Americans that Islam is a peaceful religion, you need to keep conference, seminars etc., invite the whtie people and even try to get the President of America to attend and let them know about Islam and moreso, the right concept about Islam.
We need to be very careful in our approaches and have to be very careful.
Muslims leaders and organisations needs to come together and fight against this Jihad Muslims are presently facing, espicially in the Americas.
Assalamu-O-Alaikum
Taslim Ali
2002-07-23
M.A. SALEEM FROM SAUDI ARABIA said:
dear brothers,
asslamu alikum, sadly 'jihad' is most misunderstood by us Muslims and others too. good of you to explain this so well. Allah bless you with continutation of this good work, ameen. saleem.
pl see below article on the same subject:Posted at 9:30 p.m. PDT Saturday, Sept. 15, 2001
Expert says Islam prohibits violence against innocents
Muslim scholar: Terrorists are mass murderers, not martyrs
BY RICHARD SCHEININ
Mercury News
Tuesday's terrorist attacks have saddened and maddened millions -- and raised questions for many about Islam. Speculation abounds that the hijackers were inspired by terrorists like Osama bin Laden, who teach that violent acts can pave the way to paradise. But what does Islam really say about such matters? About jihad and martyrdom?
We asked Hamza Yusuf, an Islamic scholar in the East Bay, who said the attackers were ``enemies of Islam.'' Not martyrs, but ``mass murderers, pure and simple.''
Yusuf, whose articles about Islam are published internationally, talked about the attacks, the hysteria that he fears could grip the United States, and the role that Muslims and others must play in opposing violence. ``We've got to get to some deeper core values that are commonly shared,'' he said.
Why would anyone do what the hijackers did?
Religious zealots of any creed are defeated people who lash out in desperation, and they often do horrific things. And if these people indeed are Arabs, Muslims, they're obviously very sick people and I can't even look at it in religious terms. It's politics, tragic politics. There's no Islamic justification for any of it. It's like some misguided Irish using Catholicism as an excuse for blowing up English people.
They're not martyrs, it's as simple as that.
Because?
You can't kill innocent people. There's no Islamic declaration of war against the United States. I think every Muslim country except Afghanistan has an embassy in this country. And in Islam, a country where yo
asslamu alikum, sadly 'jihad' is most misunderstood by us Muslims and others too. good of you to explain this so well. Allah bless you with continutation of this good work, ameen. saleem.
pl see below article on the same subject:Posted at 9:30 p.m. PDT Saturday, Sept. 15, 2001
Expert says Islam prohibits violence against innocents
Muslim scholar: Terrorists are mass murderers, not martyrs
BY RICHARD SCHEININ
Mercury News
Tuesday's terrorist attacks have saddened and maddened millions -- and raised questions for many about Islam. Speculation abounds that the hijackers were inspired by terrorists like Osama bin Laden, who teach that violent acts can pave the way to paradise. But what does Islam really say about such matters? About jihad and martyrdom?
We asked Hamza Yusuf, an Islamic scholar in the East Bay, who said the attackers were ``enemies of Islam.'' Not martyrs, but ``mass murderers, pure and simple.''
Yusuf, whose articles about Islam are published internationally, talked about the attacks, the hysteria that he fears could grip the United States, and the role that Muslims and others must play in opposing violence. ``We've got to get to some deeper core values that are commonly shared,'' he said.
Why would anyone do what the hijackers did?
Religious zealots of any creed are defeated people who lash out in desperation, and they often do horrific things. And if these people indeed are Arabs, Muslims, they're obviously very sick people and I can't even look at it in religious terms. It's politics, tragic politics. There's no Islamic justification for any of it. It's like some misguided Irish using Catholicism as an excuse for blowing up English people.
They're not martyrs, it's as simple as that.
Because?
You can't kill innocent people. There's no Islamic declaration of war against the United States. I think every Muslim country except Afghanistan has an embassy in this country. And in Islam, a country where yo
2002-07-23
KHAJA FROM UK said:
salam alykum brothers
it is true that jihad linguistically means struggle , but since we are muslims we take the shariyah meaning i.e the meaning from the holy quraan .even non-muslims can take the linguitic meaninng and say they are fighting jihad , will Allah ( swt ) accept that ? So dont just distort the meanings of the islamic terms from the Holy Quraan , you are actually distorting the Holy Quraan by this article.
Wassalamu Rahmatullahi Barakatuhu
Khaja
it is true that jihad linguistically means struggle , but since we are muslims we take the shariyah meaning i.e the meaning from the holy quraan .even non-muslims can take the linguitic meaninng and say they are fighting jihad , will Allah ( swt ) accept that ? So dont just distort the meanings of the islamic terms from the Holy Quraan , you are actually distorting the Holy Quraan by this article.
Wassalamu Rahmatullahi Barakatuhu
Khaja
2002-07-23
VALERIE FROM DEKALB said:
Thank you so very much for a clearer definition of Jihad. I want to take this time also to thank you for your daily words of wisdom; reminders from Al-Quran words of Allah and Sayings of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh)
2002-07-23
FAROOQ GILANI FROM LAHORE said:
Thanks for mailing data about such an important topic.
farooq Gilani
farooq Gilani
2002-07-23
TAHANI FROM USA said:
May Allah reward you with his BELESSING. Thanks for this article. It brings the ture meaning in our American terms.
2002-07-23
ZAHID M ALI FROM INDIA said:
The explanation of Jihad is excellent usually people think Jihad means Holy War which is being spread by Media. The impression Jihad gave on Muslims is always keep fighting as it is a Holy War but this has given a nice explanation who don't know about it. Everything we do for survey or to make good impression is a Jihad. Even I am trying to tell this is to somebody is a Jihad.
Thanks
Thanks
2002-07-23
BARUWA HAFEEZ FROM NIGERIA said:
All praises are due to almigty Allah.I feel impress after reading your bulletine, titled Jihad in America. you have gone a long way in explainig on of the most mis- conceived concept in islam.
2002-07-23
DAUDA, MUHAMMED NDA FROM NIGERIA said:
Thank you for posting this into my mailbox. I would wish to receive more of it, especially educative Islamic literatures,and other literatures of importance to mankind.
2002-07-23
MUZAFFAR A BHUIYAN FROM AUSTRALIA said:
This an excellent article reminding us Muslims our attitude towards right and wrong. In fact my own experience in Australia. Coming out of supermarket, I realised that I have not paid the right amount, I told the supervisor that I have to pay (as a Muslim) the correct amount. The supervisor said don't worry. I have to insist that I have to pay they find a way to accept the money and give me a receipt for the amount paid. I have special respect in the supermarket now. This respect I have is due to my following Islam.
Moreover, in each and every action a Muslim must ask himself/herself whether this what Allah SWT and His beloved prophet Muhammed SM has instructed us to do. If the instructions forbid us to do an acytion one must refrain from doing so. This is not easy but can be done. The only thing to remember what Allah SWT said in Quran "that muslims will be tested with money, personal loss,loss of produce, fear etc. They are successful who show pateience and say Everything is from Allh and I will go back to him". This is great.
May Allah guide us to the right path and help us to be in the right path. Amen
Muzaffar
Moreover, in each and every action a Muslim must ask himself/herself whether this what Allah SWT and His beloved prophet Muhammed SM has instructed us to do. If the instructions forbid us to do an acytion one must refrain from doing so. This is not easy but can be done. The only thing to remember what Allah SWT said in Quran "that muslims will be tested with money, personal loss,loss of produce, fear etc. They are successful who show pateience and say Everything is from Allh and I will go back to him". This is great.
May Allah guide us to the right path and help us to be in the right path. Amen
Muzaffar
2002-07-23
ABDULMALIK FROM UK said:
My jihad is to inform you that jihad to mean fighting and killing as part of the army of the Islamic state (Khilafah) also exists. Do not deny this meaning of jihad, otherwise you abrogate the entire verses of jihad which the prophet & companions understood as fighting & killing. Also, the verses and ahadith on distribution of the booty, and how to rule over newly conquered lands - all of of this would be meaningless if jihad did not have a meaning of physical fighting.
2002-07-23
S. MD. KABEER AHMED FROM INDIA said:
This is a good article and MAY ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Taala help Islamicity in striving in the path of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. ameen.
2002-07-23
L.A.H.KHAN FROM INDIA said:
Your writeup on Jihad in America is good. Misconcept about this word "Jihad" is written well. You should make an attempt to explain about "Kafir" also. This word "Kafir" does not liked by many in India due to wrong meaning drawn by media and general public.
Jihad in America is not for America itself but its meaning is for all over the globe.
Jihad in America is not for America itself but its meaning is for all over the globe.
2002-07-23
UMM IBRAHEEM FROM U.S.A. said:
I would like to thank you for your article on jihad. I respect your point of view and agree that the term has been abused and misinterpreted to benefit political scheming of global interests. It is jihad to wake up every morning and try to raise children in a world that seems to be the opposite of "Al-Fitrah". It is jihad to teach Muslim girls the meaning of hijab when they see distorted images on the satellite television and in person. It is jihad to ask your son to stay away from so many bad influences when there is no feasible alternative. It is jihad to explain to your children that, although the media make Muslims out to be blood thirsty monsters, and the government points them out as suspicious characters, that they are not hated by anyone who is not just like them. It is jihad to homeschool your children, to instill your values in them, yet provide them with a non-haram environment so they can interact and socialize with other humans. It is jihad to wake up every morning and see how many more innocent people have been killed all over the world, yet show your children that there is hope and that life goes on. It is jihad to put your children to bed every night and pray to Allah (SWT) that he make them the true representatives of our pure religion, Al-Islam.
I would like to thank you for your wonderful website, may Allah(SWT) bless you and reward you with paradise for your work. It helps make our jihad seem much more fruitful.
Wa Jazakum Allahu Khairan.
I would like to thank you for your wonderful website, may Allah(SWT) bless you and reward you with paradise for your work. It helps make our jihad seem much more fruitful.
Wa Jazakum Allahu Khairan.
2002-07-23
SK.A.NOORULLAH FROM INDIA said:
Asslamu Alaikum
It is a good topic that i got from u.now ,I come to know about Jihad.What you sent that all are good news letters.
It is a good topic that i got from u.now ,I come to know about Jihad.What you sent that all are good news letters.
2002-07-23
RUDI NOER FROM INDONESIA (ORIGINAL COUNTRY) said:
Assalamu'alaikum,
I did not fully understand the meaning of jihad before, now that I've read the article I understand and agree that our jihad is our daily routine. Even a smile that we give to someone in the middle of hardworking day is a jihad to us. InshaALLAH, we will make this country a better place to live for all because we as muslims have all the tools we need to make it happen meanwhile we educate others by our acts.
Wassalam.
I did not fully understand the meaning of jihad before, now that I've read the article I understand and agree that our jihad is our daily routine. Even a smile that we give to someone in the middle of hardworking day is a jihad to us. InshaALLAH, we will make this country a better place to live for all because we as muslims have all the tools we need to make it happen meanwhile we educate others by our acts.
Wassalam.
2002-07-23
MUNIIR FROM N/A said:
Asalamoualaikum,
Yes all of the above is indeed true, but we must not forget that JIHAD is not only with the soul and that there are other forms of JIHAD that includes the battle-field and so on as mentioned briefly above...one must not forget that...
Jazaak Allah,
Muniir
Yes all of the above is indeed true, but we must not forget that JIHAD is not only with the soul and that there are other forms of JIHAD that includes the battle-field and so on as mentioned briefly above...one must not forget that...
Jazaak Allah,
Muniir
2002-07-23
SUBHANALLAH FROM USA said:
I get so annoyed when they use weak hadith to prove a point.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), upon returning from a battle, remarked to his companions that they were returning from the "lesser jihad" of fighting to the "greater jihad" of struggling against the evil temptations of the soul.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), upon returning from a battle, remarked to his companions that they were returning from the "lesser jihad" of fighting to the "greater jihad" of struggling against the evil temptations of the soul.
2002-07-23
DR ABDUL WAHID FROM UK said:
Asalaamu alaikum
Your quote "We have returned from the lesser Jihad to the greater Jihad, that is the struggle against the evil of oneself." This is a fabrication and is known as Mawdu' (spurious). Hafidh al Iraqi and Ibn Hajar al Asqalani, who were muhaditheen, who memorised one hundred thousand hadith by Isnad and were qualified to scrutinise hadith and their authenticity, stated that this was not a saying of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) but was in fact a statement that was made by someone in the later generation named Ibrahim ibn Abi Yabla. Hence, this is not considered evidence in the Islamic Shari'ah.
Further, it is in contradiction with the subject matter of Jihad that has been elaborated in over a hundred ayat of the Qur'an that have come with the meaning of Jihad being Qitaal, which means to slay or to kill or to fight. This was how the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and the Sahabah (ra) understood it.
To give a further example from the Sunnah, which was narrated by Ibn Majah with a source in Bukhari; a woman came to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and asked "O Messenger of Allah! Is Jihad obliged upon the women?" To which he responded, "Yes, a Jihad without Qitaal (fighting), it is the Hajj and the Umrah!"
This clearly demonstrates that Jihad is Qitaal, i.e. Jihad is undertaking the physical fighting and this is how it was understood by the woman and the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), as explained in the Prophet's (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) answer, i.e. Jihad in Islam means fighting.
I do not like the term Holy War - but Jiahd is the most Noble type of fighting, utterly selfless, not or oil or wealth, and is governed by strict laws of combat.
We should learn the correct understanding and explain it well to others who misunderstand- not try to cover up the truth with inaccurate apologies, back with fabricated evidence.
Wasalaamu alaikum
Your quote "We have returned from the lesser Jihad to the greater Jihad, that is the struggle against the evil of oneself." This is a fabrication and is known as Mawdu' (spurious). Hafidh al Iraqi and Ibn Hajar al Asqalani, who were muhaditheen, who memorised one hundred thousand hadith by Isnad and were qualified to scrutinise hadith and their authenticity, stated that this was not a saying of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) but was in fact a statement that was made by someone in the later generation named Ibrahim ibn Abi Yabla. Hence, this is not considered evidence in the Islamic Shari'ah.
Further, it is in contradiction with the subject matter of Jihad that has been elaborated in over a hundred ayat of the Qur'an that have come with the meaning of Jihad being Qitaal, which means to slay or to kill or to fight. This was how the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and the Sahabah (ra) understood it.
To give a further example from the Sunnah, which was narrated by Ibn Majah with a source in Bukhari; a woman came to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and asked "O Messenger of Allah! Is Jihad obliged upon the women?" To which he responded, "Yes, a Jihad without Qitaal (fighting), it is the Hajj and the Umrah!"
This clearly demonstrates that Jihad is Qitaal, i.e. Jihad is undertaking the physical fighting and this is how it was understood by the woman and the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), as explained in the Prophet's (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) answer, i.e. Jihad in Islam means fighting.
I do not like the term Holy War - but Jiahd is the most Noble type of fighting, utterly selfless, not or oil or wealth, and is governed by strict laws of combat.
We should learn the correct understanding and explain it well to others who misunderstand- not try to cover up the truth with inaccurate apologies, back with fabricated evidence.
Wasalaamu alaikum
2002-07-22
ZAHID ALI NAZIR FROM USA said:
Jazkallah khair ( whoever have done this)
I would appreciate the same to be mentioned in media to correct all those whoc misusi the word JIHAd.
I would appreciate the same to be mentioned in media to correct all those whoc misusi the word JIHAd.
2002-07-22
ZAHID ALI NAZIR FROM USA said:
Jazkallah khair ( whoever have done this)
I would appreciate the same to be mentioned in media to correct all those whoc misusi the word JIHAd.
I would appreciate the same to be mentioned in media to correct all those whoc misusi the word JIHAd.
2002-07-22
IMRAN SAMIN FROM SINGAPORE said:
We're not on a jihad here against Microsoft, he said. "We're on a mission to bring choice."
Words by Lindows CEO - Michael Robertson. Extracted from http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/review/2002/2/01/spotlight.htm
The first time I read the above cuts, I just don't like it. A few days later IslamicityBulletin sends the article on Jihad. I am glad that our muslim brothers in Islamicity.com explain the matters.
Words by Lindows CEO - Michael Robertson. Extracted from http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/review/2002/2/01/spotlight.htm
The first time I read the above cuts, I just don't like it. A few days later IslamicityBulletin sends the article on Jihad. I am glad that our muslim brothers in Islamicity.com explain the matters.
2002-07-22
HH FROM UNITED STATES said:
Asalamu Alaikum,
The saying, "We have returned from the lesser Jihad (battle) to the greater Jihad," which people quote on the basis that it is a hadith, is in fact a false, fabricated hadith which has no basis. It is only a saying of Ibrahim bin Abi Ablah, one of the Successors, and it contradicts textual evidence and reality. Ibn Taymiyyah said in Al-Furqan PP. 44-45: "This hadith has no source and nobody whomsoever in the field of Islamic knowledge has narrated it. Jihad against the disbelievers is the most noble of actions and moreover it is the most important action for the sake of mankind." Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdadi reports it as daeef (weak) due to the narrator Khalaf bin Muhammad bin Ismail Al-Khiyam. Al-Haakim says, "His hadiths are unreliable." Abu Ya'la Al-Khalili says, "He often adulterates, is very weak and narrates unknown hadith," (Mashari-ul-Ashwaq, Ibn Nuhas 1/31). There is also the narrator Yahya bin Al-Ula who is a known liar and forgerer of hadith (Ahmad). Amru bin Ali, An-Nasai and Ad-Daraqutni state, "His hadith are renounced." Ibn Adi states, "His hadith are false," (Tahzeeb-ut-Tahzeeb 11/261-262). Ibn Hajar said, "He was accused of forging hadith," (At-Taghrib). Adh-Dhahabi said, "Abu Hatim said that he is not a strong narrator, Ibn Ma'een classified him as weak and Ad-Daraqutni said that he is to be neglected."
wasalam
hh
The saying, "We have returned from the lesser Jihad (battle) to the greater Jihad," which people quote on the basis that it is a hadith, is in fact a false, fabricated hadith which has no basis. It is only a saying of Ibrahim bin Abi Ablah, one of the Successors, and it contradicts textual evidence and reality. Ibn Taymiyyah said in Al-Furqan PP. 44-45: "This hadith has no source and nobody whomsoever in the field of Islamic knowledge has narrated it. Jihad against the disbelievers is the most noble of actions and moreover it is the most important action for the sake of mankind." Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdadi reports it as daeef (weak) due to the narrator Khalaf bin Muhammad bin Ismail Al-Khiyam. Al-Haakim says, "His hadiths are unreliable." Abu Ya'la Al-Khalili says, "He often adulterates, is very weak and narrates unknown hadith," (Mashari-ul-Ashwaq, Ibn Nuhas 1/31). There is also the narrator Yahya bin Al-Ula who is a known liar and forgerer of hadith (Ahmad). Amru bin Ali, An-Nasai and Ad-Daraqutni state, "His hadith are renounced." Ibn Adi states, "His hadith are false," (Tahzeeb-ut-Tahzeeb 11/261-262). Ibn Hajar said, "He was accused of forging hadith," (At-Taghrib). Adh-Dhahabi said, "Abu Hatim said that he is not a strong narrator, Ibn Ma'een classified him as weak and Ad-Daraqutni said that he is to be neglected."
wasalam
hh
2002-07-22
IZZ FROM USA said:
Masha'LLAH... this is one of the best email lists I have joined! Yes, Jihad is struggle; and much more! Yes, Jihad is war and fighting evil in every manner allowed; and much more! It is probably one of the more inclusive, and deep principles in Islam besides Tawheed and Aqeedah. I love Jihad, and so should America, because Jihad brings out the best in people, it filters out the bad, purifies the good, and puts forth the best for society. A world without jihad is tantamount to absolute entropy.
2002-07-22
KHAIRULLAH FROM SINGAPORE said:
AlhamduLILLAH, we must explain to wider audience the meaning of JIHAD.I'm truly applled at the way Western Media term JIHAD. Although they do not know the real meaning of JIHAD!ALLAHU AKBAR may we Muslim all over the world take times to explain the meaning of JIHAD.
2002-07-22
CAMP XRAY FROM UK said:
You don't know the meaning of Jihad. Don't talk about things you have knowledge of. Do you think they will be your friend if you distort Islam in this way?
2002-07-22
NORHANIZAR HASSAN FROM MALAYSIA said:
As a muslim, I believe the Islamic truth. So, all muslims in the world must be jihad in all circumstances to up our religion and nation. Not only in America, but in every country you're stay. Like me, I.m stay in Malaysia. So, I use my energy and opinion for jihad in any situation...
I hope all muslim please help our nation like in Amerika, palestin, and others that suffer with the non muslim qruelly... Allah with us...
I hope all muslim please help our nation like in Amerika, palestin, and others that suffer with the non muslim qruelly... Allah with us...
2002-07-22
KEDARBENJUDAH FROM UNITED STATES said:
This honest and insiteful and much appreciated information please continue the good work.
2002-07-22
TEHSEEN NAQVI FROM USA said:
Thank you very much for the information about Jihad.
2002-07-21
DR.OLA ELSAID FROM U.S.A said:
Yunsur Dinak....that's the first thing that came to my mind when i read this interpretation of Jihad in it's true meaning, jazakum Allah khairan insha'allah.
2002-07-21
ASIF SHEIKH FROM USA said:
Assalaam-u-alaikum,
Your article does not at all address the issue :the misuse of the term "jihad" by the media, etc very well. Everything you have said is correct, however, you fail to address the primary issue of why a vocal "minority" of Muslims misuses jihad it-self (e.g. Usama bin Laden's fatwa for example). Recently a Muslim Student gave a valedictoian speech to his fellow students at grdauation ceremony at harvard. In replying to that speech a non-Muslim observer wrote a thought provoking article in the current (July) issue of the Muslim Democrat. This article can be found at www.islam-democracy.org
I strongly suggest that you read this article.
Jazak-Allah-khairan for your efforts.
W'salaam,
Asif.
Your article does not at all address the issue :the misuse of the term "jihad" by the media, etc very well. Everything you have said is correct, however, you fail to address the primary issue of why a vocal "minority" of Muslims misuses jihad it-self (e.g. Usama bin Laden's fatwa for example). Recently a Muslim Student gave a valedictoian speech to his fellow students at grdauation ceremony at harvard. In replying to that speech a non-Muslim observer wrote a thought provoking article in the current (July) issue of the Muslim Democrat. This article can be found at www.islam-democracy.org
I strongly suggest that you read this article.
Jazak-Allah-khairan for your efforts.
W'salaam,
Asif.
2002-07-21
FAIROZ KHAN FROM INDIA said:
Yes, every day we engage in jihad, and we are all the better because of it.
2002-07-21
KHALIL AHMED ANSARI FROM HONG KONG. said:
Your advice .....
"Our jihad is to do our utmost to pray these prayers on time, even if it means quickly praying in an empty conference room, a quite corner in the park ... "
Religion is a personal & private matter. Muslim must return to his home or a mosque to pray. Praying in a public place (except Juma or Eidain where permitted) is not advisable.
Either Muslim religious leaders will accept this discipline for living in a non-Muslim majority country or they will be forced to do that. Everyone can see which way the wind is blowing. It is a new concept that Jihad includes efforts to make America strong !!!! To do what ?
It would have been sufficient to say, Jihad means struggle & a Muslim should start it conquering his own evil deeds & desires. There is no need to come in conflict with rest of the world to force others to do things as were done 1000 years ago. Neither there is need to side with the aggressors.
We need not oscilate between extremes. Let us find a moderate, middle of the road position.
May Allah show us light.
Khalil Ahmed.
Hong Kong.
"Our jihad is to do our utmost to pray these prayers on time, even if it means quickly praying in an empty conference room, a quite corner in the park ... "
Religion is a personal & private matter. Muslim must return to his home or a mosque to pray. Praying in a public place (except Juma or Eidain where permitted) is not advisable.
Either Muslim religious leaders will accept this discipline for living in a non-Muslim majority country or they will be forced to do that. Everyone can see which way the wind is blowing. It is a new concept that Jihad includes efforts to make America strong !!!! To do what ?
It would have been sufficient to say, Jihad means struggle & a Muslim should start it conquering his own evil deeds & desires. There is no need to come in conflict with rest of the world to force others to do things as were done 1000 years ago. Neither there is need to side with the aggressors.
We need not oscilate between extremes. Let us find a moderate, middle of the road position.
May Allah show us light.
Khalil Ahmed.
Hong Kong.
2002-07-21
ALFARABY FROM EGYPT said:
after a quick reading of the article jihad in america i thought you may consider mentioning that moslems are ordered not to attack any one but if they are attacked then they must defend themselves and this is a basic instinct in the human being.
secondly from following the works of north american moslem i can comment that they need to act and not react in other words you must not wait till an action happens then start to defend islam's vission but you should make the acts.for example see what in your socity that is wrong and bring up the solution of islam not only in words but in actions that are always better than words.
secondly from following the works of north american moslem i can comment that they need to act and not react in other words you must not wait till an action happens then start to defend islam's vission but you should make the acts.for example see what in your socity that is wrong and bring up the solution of islam not only in words but in actions that are always better than words.
2002-07-21
ELSAYED KANDIL FROM AUSTRALIA said:
You sound apologetic in trying to move the term Jihad from fighting if need be. Our mission as Muslims is to spread the word of truth to othrs using every means available, but primarily by setting an example of Islamic behaviour and morals, to give them a chance to make their own informed decision on which way to go along in life. Having done that, it is their own choice without coercion or compulsion of any sort. Now, if someone tries to prevent us passing the truth, we do not accept these efforts, and we fight those who prevent us for their own best interest. We are ready to sacrifice anything we have to give that person the choice to choose for himself/herself. If need be, we would sacrifice our own money and even life to give everybody that chance of knowing the truth, period.
Whatever we do towards that primary goal comes under the broad term of Jihad!Needless to say it is also part and parcel of Islam, and human values of any ideology for that matter, to defend our right to practice our Islam in its entirety, even to die for it if need be! This is freedom in its highest sense.
Take it or leave it, this is Islam.
Jazaka Allah Khayran
Elsayed
Whatever we do towards that primary goal comes under the broad term of Jihad!Needless to say it is also part and parcel of Islam, and human values of any ideology for that matter, to defend our right to practice our Islam in its entirety, even to die for it if need be! This is freedom in its highest sense.
Take it or leave it, this is Islam.
Jazaka Allah Khayran
Elsayed
2002-07-21
SAAD S. BALGHONAIM FROM SAUDI ARABIA said:
Thank You .An excellent Article.
2002-07-21
BRO. CELESTE MORRISON FROM USA said:
THIS WAS AN EXCELLENT EXPLANATION FOR THE TRUE MEANING OF THE JIHAD. IT WAS VERY WELL PUT AND INFORMATIVE. ALLAH U AKBAR!!!!!!!!!!!
2002-07-21
DR. SHAHRI ABDUL RAHMAN FROM SARAWAK, MALAYSIA said:
This a most enlightening of the nomenclature JIHAD. Yes, the west misunderstood jihad much as those who do not take serious study on Islam. With the interpretation I hope more people would be able to understand Islam and the Muslims through out the world.
2002-07-21
DR. M. AMIR ALI FROM CHICAGO, IL, U.S.A. said:
Very weak article. Please see my article posted at our site www.iiie.net. It is titled JIHAD EXPLAINED and you are permitted to copy and post on your web site.
2002-07-21
A MOINUDDIN FROM CANADA said:
Assalamalaikum,
Many thanks for sending the clear explanation of the meaning of Jihad. I have been noticing here that some elements of the media and public who have some kind of animosity towards Islam and Muslims have been exploiting the situation since September 11. They are profiling Muslims as terrorists (may God forbid) and Jihadis. Recently, I have come across the Ahmediyya community that is also exploiting the events since September 11. They are claiming that they are the true Muslims as they donot believe in Jihad and that they are having better relations with the Non-Muslims. They are inviting high level politicians in Canada to their gatherings and Mosques and are brain washing them with anti-Muslim propaganda. They have no sympathy with the innocent Muslims of Palestine, Iraq, Chechnia, Kashmir, Gujarat and many other such places. On many fronts such as in India, they are plotting secret policies to crush Muslims. They have no sympathy with Pakistan. They are in our society. They come in our mosques and their policies are stabbing us in the back. They are working like Cancer. May Allah protect us from these enemies. Only through education we can change our lives and the lives of others. Please continue the good work that you are doing.
Allah Hafiz,
Many thanks for sending the clear explanation of the meaning of Jihad. I have been noticing here that some elements of the media and public who have some kind of animosity towards Islam and Muslims have been exploiting the situation since September 11. They are profiling Muslims as terrorists (may God forbid) and Jihadis. Recently, I have come across the Ahmediyya community that is also exploiting the events since September 11. They are claiming that they are the true Muslims as they donot believe in Jihad and that they are having better relations with the Non-Muslims. They are inviting high level politicians in Canada to their gatherings and Mosques and are brain washing them with anti-Muslim propaganda. They have no sympathy with the innocent Muslims of Palestine, Iraq, Chechnia, Kashmir, Gujarat and many other such places. On many fronts such as in India, they are plotting secret policies to crush Muslims. They have no sympathy with Pakistan. They are in our society. They come in our mosques and their policies are stabbing us in the back. They are working like Cancer. May Allah protect us from these enemies. Only through education we can change our lives and the lives of others. Please continue the good work that you are doing.
Allah Hafiz,
2002-07-21
HAJJAH EDNA R. CLIFTON FROM USA said:
Al Hamdu lilah, I am so happy that other communities are properly translating the word "Jihad". Imam W. Deen Mohammed has always taught us,the "Muslim American Society" that the hardest Jihad is the struggle within our ownselves, our own souls. Life itself is a struggle.We begun in a struggle. We can see the signs in our conception in our mothers womb. Allah has blessed us to be the sperm that survived when all the other sperms were trying to attach it self to our mother's womb. Life is really a Jihad(a struggle) here in America since 9/11. We know that nothing happens without Allah's permission, and this is just a test for the TRUE Believers. We are constantly studying the life of Prophet Mohammed-pbuh, we see the Jihad (struggle) that he went through to get this community established, how he had to leave Mecca and flee to Medina. Al hamdu lilah, what a marvelous Human Being that was born more than 1400 years ago. We forever thank Allah for sending us a demonstrator/Liberator (Prophet Muhammed)(saws) to Humanity. As Salaamu-Alaikum
2002-07-21
JALAL PIRZADA FROM PAKISTAN said:
I am Pakistani student completing my Master's Degree in Accounting at St. John's University based in New York. My Jihad is to land a job in the USA, which has increasingly become difficult in the Business community. Economic slump and 9/11 have all contributed to this, among other reasons. I am running out of options and I pray to Allah (SWT) that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
2002-07-20
DR. ASSAD NIMER BUSOOL FROM U.S.A. said:
as-salamu 'alaikum,
Thank you for commenting on Jihad in America. However, what you wrote is insuffecient. Through my resaerch in hadith and sunnah I found that there are 21 categories of Jihad in Islam. All these caregories are fully documented. Currently I am embarking on writing a book under the title: "Jihad in Judaism, Christianity and Islam"
I will email it to you as an attachment. Please feel free to post it on your web page.
Many thanks, and may Allah bless us all and guide us to support His cause.
Your brother in Islam,
Assad N. Busool, Ph.D.
Islamic and Arabic Studies
Thank you for commenting on Jihad in America. However, what you wrote is insuffecient. Through my resaerch in hadith and sunnah I found that there are 21 categories of Jihad in Islam. All these caregories are fully documented. Currently I am embarking on writing a book under the title: "Jihad in Judaism, Christianity and Islam"
I will email it to you as an attachment. Please feel free to post it on your web page.
Many thanks, and may Allah bless us all and guide us to support His cause.
Your brother in Islam,
Assad N. Busool, Ph.D.
Islamic and Arabic Studies
2002-07-20
ANWAR JAMAL FROM CANADA said:
Thank you for bringing up the this issue of the total misrepresentation of the divine meaning of the word "Jihad". To me it is a struggle with ones own self to avoid evil and do good , to improve oneself in the quality of life through prayer and lawful means. It is absolutely ridiculous to connote Jihad with Terrorism and incumbent on each and everyone of us to take every possible opportunity to impress upon Society that we are as much as human as anybody else is in our feelings , as decent law abiding citizens, who have been branded ,by an imaging process of publicity by the media in general that a muslim is a "Jihadi "- I say we are Jihadi's to improve ourselves thro Peace , Prayer and the Bounty Of Allah - that when we reach our final adobe we are welcomed with YA- Salaam for having ensured that even the proverbial ant that came near our feet was gently put aside to save its life and we preserved a life.
This is , i am sure ,the way ,most muslims feel that to hurt/ harm another human being is not Islam- Islam is a religion of Peace .
May the Noor of the Almighty enlighten the preconceived wrong notions of the World.
May Allah guide us to be his Messengers of Peace in all our actions religious and material, as Citizens of the World.
This is , i am sure ,the way ,most muslims feel that to hurt/ harm another human being is not Islam- Islam is a religion of Peace .
May the Noor of the Almighty enlighten the preconceived wrong notions of the World.
May Allah guide us to be his Messengers of Peace in all our actions religious and material, as Citizens of the World.
2002-07-20
ANONYMOUS FROM USA said:
Very good article. Another jihad is to dispel the misconceptions and fears about Islam.
I personally would like to see more muslims in America sponsor more community service events that incorporates people from all faiths and backgrounds. Too often we see exclusive-type events, which only creates more mystery and apprehension.
I personally would like to see more muslims in America sponsor more community service events that incorporates people from all faiths and backgrounds. Too often we see exclusive-type events, which only creates more mystery and apprehension.
2002-07-20
AXA FROM USA said:
The hadith that has been quoted has been classified as weak by eminent scholars and so should not be used as a 'daleel'........
Asalamaleikum.
Asalamaleikum.
2002-07-20
ARSHIA JAMAL FROM INDIA said:
assalamualaikum
the hadith you have referred regarding the major jihad i.e jihad against the heart is a dhaeef hadith.it is an unauthentic one.you can please check it.
the hadith you have referred regarding the major jihad i.e jihad against the heart is a dhaeef hadith.it is an unauthentic one.you can please check it.
2002-07-20
CROWNKY FROM SINGAPORE said:
I see that an elaborate explanation of "Jihad' is now being published many muslims world over. Even in a dialogue session soon in a BBC programme following the 911 attack, the Islamic scholars had divided views of the meaning of "Jihad".
Often we hear Jihad in the Friday sermons with respect to war. I have heard leaders of the muslim world use the word "Jihad" in the context of an armed conflict. Never have I heard before 911 other meanings of the word "Jihad". I msut confess that all along I have understood as a form of an 'armed conflict of soem sort" against the non-believers.
Confused by so many interpretations, I have started reading the transaltion of the Holy Quran by Abdullah Ysusf Ali. I believe this is the only english transaltion authorised by the religious scholars from Mecaa & Medina and free copies are distributed by the Saudi Government to those who ask.
I am hoping I can find the context in which the word "jihad is referred" in our holy book.
Often we hear Jihad in the Friday sermons with respect to war. I have heard leaders of the muslim world use the word "Jihad" in the context of an armed conflict. Never have I heard before 911 other meanings of the word "Jihad". I msut confess that all along I have understood as a form of an 'armed conflict of soem sort" against the non-believers.
Confused by so many interpretations, I have started reading the transaltion of the Holy Quran by Abdullah Ysusf Ali. I believe this is the only english transaltion authorised by the religious scholars from Mecaa & Medina and free copies are distributed by the Saudi Government to those who ask.
I am hoping I can find the context in which the word "jihad is referred" in our holy book.
2002-07-20
ARIF HUSSAIN FROM INDIANAPOLIS said:
I liked your explanation of jihad. Our scholars and writers usually don't touch upon the jihad of common courtesy like picking up a nail on the sidewalk, working a little late to get the task done. Seldom do our scholars try and find similarities in God's word and what the hosts of the country we live in also believe. It make everyone think that we are no more different than the "good" christian that lives next door. We seek to alienate ourselves and not integrate with the common good that this country has to offer. In some respects, I have been allowed to follow Islam in better sirit than the Islamic country I came from. The prophet (SAW) did not spread Islam by making people hate him, but by showing people what a good person he was. Maybe it is time for us to return to the basics and try and be good people instead of sitting on that high pedastal that we "think" we are on by saying the kalimah. Our jihad is to do good, spread good and follow Allah's commandments.
It was a good article from you. Lets have some more people thinking on those lines, it is time the world began to think of muslims as people that do good instead of allowing the "misguided" among us to taint the name of this great religion we follow.
It was a good article from you. Lets have some more people thinking on those lines, it is time the world began to think of muslims as people that do good instead of allowing the "misguided" among us to taint the name of this great religion we follow.
2002-07-20
JIBRIL MANGOUANA FROM USA said:
asalamu alaikum wr wb , actually even though the word jihad means struggle but when used in an islamic way jihad means to fight for the sake of allah as did our great prophet ( saw) and his compagnons to establish islam in the arabic peninsula , but the jihad that is going on theses days is a wrong jihad coz the conditions of jihad fee sabeel lillah are not met and that is a political jihad ,
my point is the prophet `s quotation that you have quoted about the messenger of allah returning from the battle , this is a big lie against our beloved prophet , never never , never the prophet did say such a thing , this hadith is weak , very weak hadith , the great schoolars of islam ( cheirks nars albanee , ibn baz , muqbil ) had discreted that hadith and the student of knowledge in usa ( dawud adib , aboo usama, aboo burbank, siraj wahaj ) know this hadith is weak ,
clearly jihad is to fight but to fight just for the sake of allah , not to attack america for political reason and kill innocent people , it is not because america was attack that we need to use waek hadith to justify things
asalamu alaikum wr wb
my point is the prophet `s quotation that you have quoted about the messenger of allah returning from the battle , this is a big lie against our beloved prophet , never never , never the prophet did say such a thing , this hadith is weak , very weak hadith , the great schoolars of islam ( cheirks nars albanee , ibn baz , muqbil ) had discreted that hadith and the student of knowledge in usa ( dawud adib , aboo usama, aboo burbank, siraj wahaj ) know this hadith is weak ,
clearly jihad is to fight but to fight just for the sake of allah , not to attack america for political reason and kill innocent people , it is not because america was attack that we need to use waek hadith to justify things
asalamu alaikum wr wb
2002-07-20
HESHAM NAGI, M.D FROM USA said:
God bless you . we need people like you to let the young muslims who are born here in USA and have the chance seeing the sattelite channels from all over the world talking how America hate Muslims and Islam so a lot of them start to feel strange and asking to go back to their parents countries .please do more especialy for these kids.
Asalamo Alikoom.
Asalamo Alikoom.
2002-07-20
MOHAMED FROM EGYPT said:
The hadith about returning from the lesser jihad to the greater jihad is a false hadith, Shaikhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyah [d. 728- rahimahullaah] said Ibn hajr the scholar of hadith said the hadith is false. Please try to give sahih hadiths only and a correct view of Jihad as the honor of the ummah.
2002-07-20
