Jihaad and its Misconception
PUCHONG: In a statement today Dr Zakir Naik claims that Jihaad is one of the most commonly misunderstood and misused terms in Islaam, by both Muslims and non-Muslims.
He affirms many terrorists have taken refuge in this word to justify mindless acts of killing for their own vested, and often political, interests.
“Some non-Muslims — thanks to the Western media’s portrayal — have developed a warped understanding of Jihaad that portrays Islaam as a violent religion. The objective in both cases is fear-mongering for political agendas. Jihaad is an Arabic word which simply means to strive or to struggle.”
Islamically, Jihaad is of various types and degrees. It is to strive against one’s own evil inclinations; to strive for the betterment of society; to strive against injustice. One of the types of Jihaad is to fight in the way of Allaah, either in self-defense or against oppression, be it in the battlefield or on the ideological front, it said.
During times of oppression, Muslims are obliged to stand up against their persecutors, in defense of themselves as well as their brothers, he expressed in his statement.
He also claims that the greatest form of Jihaad is to speak a true word in front of a tyrannical ruler. Jihaad can also be invoked to mobilize a public resolve against widespread social malaises, for example, of poverty, ignorance and moral decline.
He explains that it helps people lead more prosperous and fulfilling lives and follow the true precepts of Islam.
“Today, however, it has become fashionable for leaders of some violent groups, such as the group that calls itself the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (when it is neither Islaamic nor a state), to call for Jihaad as per their convenience, to mislead and brainwash their inadequately educated followers to carry out atrocities against hapless individuals — men, women and children.
But he said that is not Jihaad. Islaam condemns the killing of innocent people, irrespective of religion or faith.
“… if anyone kills a person — unless it is for murder or for spreading corruption in the land — it is as though he has killed the whole of humankind. And if anyone saves a person, it is as though he has saved the whole of humankind.” (Al Qur’aan 5:32), he quotes the Qu’raan.
This Qur’aanic verse and many others like it, as well as the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), show that Islaam unequivocally condemns violence against innocent people.
In further clarification, he expressed that the Muslims must study the Qu’raan and authentic Sunnah so that they are not deceived by people who promote evil acts in the garb of religion.
It is only upon examining the Qur’aan and Sunnah that the Islamic values of mercy, justice and benevolence will become apparent to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike, he said.
By: Hema Subramaniam
