'JIHAD': The Misconstrued Word

The Human Life, as acclaimed by all the renowned religions in the world, is very precious and must be protected at all cost, The very essence of religion is to guide us from morally reprehensible behaviors so one may attain eternity in the hereafter.

There is no unequivocal quotation in any of the world renowned scriptures that allow the life of an innocent person to be taken unlawfully. It therefore saddens my heart to see a group of demented souls who claiming to be an affiliate of Islam sharing innocent blood in the name of religion.

The Issue of Al-shabab and any other terrorist group in any part of the world need to be condemned in no uncertain terms .As a Muslim, I know the holy book that serves as a constitution to my faith is vehemently against any form of action or steps that is inimical to peace. It therefore a matter of concern to every well meaning Muslim and we will not sit aloof to see lunatics, and psychopath organizations tarnishing the image of Islam because of their parochial interest.

The missions and visions of these so called 'Islamist group' diametrically oppose every aspect of the Islamic teachings. There is no single verse in the holy Quran that can be used to justify the barbaric and demonic attacks on innocent souls.

I dare anybody who come in contact with this piece to provide just a single verse or the saying of our beloved prophet(PBUH) that gives impetus for Muslims to take the life human being unlawfully. It is unfortunate that Islam, the religion of peace, hope, harmony, goodwill and Brotherhood had been badly tarnished by the perpetrators of various terrorist acts.

The purpose of this piece is to set forth the teachings of Islam so that manifestations of various terrorist acts are fully exposed in the light of Islamic teachings under whose shelter these activities are being committed. Most of these enemies of Islam hide under theword 'JIHAD' to juxtapose their inhuman activities. It therefore imperative for me to throw little light on the concept of jihad in Islam to debunk the misconception out there.

CONCEPT OF JIHAD IN ISLAM
Through the actions of some elements, the western world visualizes a wrong concept of Jihad . The word Jihad conjures up the vision of a marching band of religious fanatics with savage beards and fiery eyes, brandishing swords and attacking the infidels.

Jihad in Islamic terminology means to make an effort, to endeavor and to strive in a noble way. Over the centuries this meaning of Jihad has been obliterated or at least diluted. The critical juncture in the Islamic world requires reviving and recapturing the true and pristine meaning of Jihad.

Jihad can be divided into two broad categories. First Jihad according to Islamic scholars, Is to strive against one's own person to curb sinful inclinations, i.e., purification of self. This is the most difficult Jihad and hence in terms of rewards and blessings is the highest category of Jihad.

The second Jihad. This is Jihad of the sword. This is communal Jihad and presupposes certain specific conditions. The Quran speaks of fighting only against those who first attack Muslims and this is the very condition laid down in other verses of the Holy Quran as well. But this is often taken out of context as if it inculcates an indiscriminate massacre of all unbelievers. The Quranic words such as kill whatever you find them apply only in cases where the enemy has first attacked Muslims and apply to those unbelievers and enemies who break their oaths and firm agreements. They do not apply to unprovoked wars and battles. To interpret these verses in any other manner would be a travesty of the lofty ideals of Islam. There is not a single instance in the life of the Holy Prophet where he offered the alternative of the sword or Islam to anyone.

The Western media and even some scholars sometimes ignore the distinction between these two aspects of Jihad. It must be remembered that the Holy Quran does not make Jihad, the holy war, in context of an article of faith. The sayings and traditions of the Holy Prophet render it into a formula for active struggle that invariably and incorrectly tended towards a militant expression. Modern day terrorism is contrary to the purview of the real spirit of the Islamic Jihad.

The presentation of Islam as a crude and barbaric religion which gives itself the right to cause unwarranted human and material suffering and destruction under the guise of Divine authority, is not the kind of Islam we find in the Holy Quran and in the precepts of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!)

I would also like to put it on record that if there is any religion in the world that respect the life of human being and upheld the Sanctity of the human life, then is no other religion than Islam .

All Muslims believe that Allah is the Creator and the Owner of all life. He starts human life from conception and only He will end it through natural death. The moment of death is fixed only by our Creator. There are many verses in the final holy book AL QUR'AN which emphasize these core Islamic beliefs, for example

"Do not kill yourselves, for verily Allah has been to you most merciful (Chapter 4, verse 29)

Take not life which Allah has made sacred" (Chapter 6, verse 151)

Allah is the one, who gave you life, then shall He ordain you to die, then shall He give you your life again, truly mankind is ungrateful" (Chapter 22, verse 66)

If any person kill a fellow human being ,it would be as if he has wipe the whole human generation, and if any of you saves a single life, it would be as if he has saved the whole human generation ( 5 verse 32)

The question that comes to mind after acquainting yourself with these verses from the Quran is, on what premise are these terrorist operating? Their evil deeds are not link to Islam. We Muslims therefore disassociate ourselves from the inhuman killings of innocent people in the name of a misconstrue JIHAD.

It is my fervent prayer that the purpose of this piece will edify those who have a wrong idea about Islam, so they will look at Islam in a rational manner and without demagoguery or emotion. So they will begin to see Boko Haram, Al-Qa'ida, Al-shabab,etc. As the antithesis of the peace, tolerance and humanity that is at the heart of Islam.

Religion is defined by the relationship between God and man. And Islam is the submission and the acknowledgment of the human being to the creator.

At this juncture, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the government and people of Kenya and indeed all members of the international community who have been affected in diverse ways by the senseless act of terrorism at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi.' And especially to our very own Prof. Kofi Awoonor. May the God lord bless their Souls

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