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As'alaamu Alaikkum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu 
9) What is JIHAD?

Jihad is simply translated as struggle. 

It is interesting to note that the English translation of the Holy Qur'an by Dr. Muhsin Khan uses Jihad as holy war, holy fighting or armed struggle. However, there is another word for this in the Arabic language which is Qisas. 

Jihad can also be an inner struggle in which one finds himself struggling against faith or struggling with performing the duties of a believing Muslim such as praying on time, giving charity etc.

It is a misconception in Islam to suggest that Jihad means fighting non believers or taking up arms against non believers. In Islam any kind of offence is forbidden, Muslims are only allowed to defend their property and their faith.

People also use the Jihad to imply that the early Muslims forcibly conquered nearby lands and made people submit to Islam. This is against the very natrure of being a Muslim. For being a Muslim means that the one who has submitted to Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala must do so willingly and not be forced against one's wishes. Then if that is the case then that person is not a true Muslim, and the ones who forced them have commited a serious sin.

Today, of course, militants use the term Jihad freely to kill and maim innocent Muslims and non Muslims whilst it is a politcal act rather than a religious one. Any taking of life is one the gravest of sins and if not repented then it is unforgiveable. It is stated in the Holy Qur'an that taking a life is like killing the whole of humanity.

Allahu Alum!

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Abu Loren Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 29 June 2012 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1646	Post Options Post Reply Quote Abu Loren Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 December 2012 at 1:44am
	As'alaamu Alaikkum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu 9) What is JIHAD? Jihad is simply translated as struggle. It is interesting to note that the English translation of the Holy Qur'an by Dr. Muhsin Khan uses Jihad as holy war, holy fighting or armed struggle. However, there is another word for this in the Arabic language which is Qisas. Jihad can also be an inner struggle in which one finds himself struggling against faith or struggling with performing the duties of a believing Muslim such as praying on time, giving charity etc. It is a misconception in Islam to suggest that Jihad means fighting non believers or taking up arms against non believers. In Islam any kind of offence is forbidden, Muslims are only allowed to defend their property and their faith. People also use the Jihad to imply that the early Muslims forcibly conquered nearby lands and made people submit to Islam. This is against the very natrure of being a Muslim. For being a Muslim means that the one who has submitted to Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala must do so willingly and not be forced against one's wishes. Then if that is the case then that person is not a true Muslim, and the ones who forced them have commited a serious sin. Today, of course, militants use the term Jihad freely to kill and maim innocent Muslims and non Muslims whilst it is a politcal act rather than a religious one. Any taking of life is one the gravest of sins and if not repented then it is unforgiveable. It is stated in the Holy Qur'an that taking a life is like killing the whole of humanity. Allahu Alum!

Abu Loren Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 29 June 2012 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1646	Post Options Post Reply Quote Abu Loren Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 December 2012 at 3:04am
	As'alaamu Alaikkum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu 10) So tell me about ISLAM again? Islam is the only religion that is the continuation of what God Almighty has given to Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him). Ever since creating man, Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala has given mankind instructions in how to worship, glorify and honour him in ways that are pleasing to Him. These instructions were first given to the first man that God created father Adam (peace be upon him). Then it continued with all the Prophets of God (peace be upon them all). Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) was given special honour and privilege with a covenent that is ever lasting, therefore to achieve salvation one must believe in the Oneness of God, forsaking all others. The Children if Israel were given a special task by God Almighty but through their disobedience and transgressions and finally rejecting the Messiah Jesus (peace be upon him) God then abandoned them and chose a new people who were the followers of Jesus (peace be upon him). However, these followers of Jesus (peace be upon him) soon went astray with their heretical doctrine of the Trinity. So both of these groups were removed from the Abrahamaic covenent. Through the infinite Mercy of Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala He sent a final messenger to mankind with a final revelation which is the Holy Qur'an. To achieve salvation everyone must be part of this final covenent and believe that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the final messenger and slave of Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala. Like Prophet Abraham and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them) one must overcome the false belief of their parents and must symbolically destroy the idols by taking the Shahada and uttering "Ashadu anla Illaha Illallah, wa ashadu anna Muhammadan abduhu rasooluhu".