T1: JIHAD Flashcards
Intro
The term Jihad is often viewed negatively due to its portrayal in the news.
Its often associated with countries such as Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, and groups such as Al Qaeda and Isis.
However, must be remembered that there’s more to Jihad than what’s portrayed in the media.
Jihad
The Arabic word ‘Jihad’ translates to ‘striving’ or ‘to strive’ which means to go to great lengths to achieve something.
For Muslims, this ‘striving’ is in relation to doing the right thing by Allah, to believe in him and follow his commands so they can reap the benefits in the afterlife - its about bettering yourself as a person.
A Hadith of Muhammad validates this idea. when he was asked who the best type of person is, he responded by saying: “A believer who strives for what Allah wants.”
However, there’s another side to Jihad, one which means ‘striving to protect the religion of Islam’. This is the side of Jihad that many people misinterpret and use as a way to justify there own actions.
Averroes, a 12th century theologian and mathematician from Spain attempted to clarify the idea of Jihad, breaking it down into 4 categories:
1)Jihad of the heart - referring to striving to resist temptation of the devil.
2)Jihad of the word - striving to always speak the truth.
3)Jihad of the hand - striving to do the right thing and refraining from wrong doings.
4)Jihad of the sword - striving to protect Islam (through a variety of ways: war, protest, negotiation).
Modern scholars have simplified this further so that its easier to understand. They believe the 4 categories can be simplified to 2 - Greater Jihad and Lesser Jihad.
Greater Jihad
Greater Jihad is seen as the most important type of Jihad and its striving relates to becoming the best possible version of yourself through good character, actions and virtues.
In his book, ‘The Revival of the Religious Sciences’, Al Ghazali (Muslim philosopher) quoted Muhammad as saying “the best ‘fighter’ is the one who fights against his own ego to obey Allah”. This means the only fight a person should be concerned with is the fight with themselves. The ego is the self that focuses on a person’s wants and desires.
It’s sacrificing these wants and desires that is greater Jihad as it allows the individuals to better themselves on earth and as a result, prosper in the afterlife.
Al Ghazali argues there are numerous examples of how a person can ‘fight their ego to obey Allah’. One of which is, throughout the Islamic month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from the hours of sunrise to sunset. in the summer months this means fasting 17-18 hours a day which can be mentally and physically draining. Resisting the temptation of food during these hours would be classed as Jihad.
Greater Jihad: A spiritual struggle
Sufi Muslims take a spiritual approach to their beliefs and practices and place particular emphasis on connecting with God.
Sufis choose to live simple lives where they sacrifice their ego in order to completely focus on God.
Example = Rabia of Basia was a women that lived in Iraq who completely devoted her life to connecting with God.
The famous theologian and poet Rummi stated “your greatest enemy is within you and this enemy is your nafs”.
The Arabic word ‘nafs’ translates as ego and this is what must be sacrificed. From this perspective, Greater Jihad is a spiritual struggle that all Muslims should attempt to do.
Main purpose in life is to battle the nafs and satisfy the needs of Allah.
Lesser Jihad
This type of Jihad is best described as ‘striving to improve matters for Muslims’, due to persecution, inequality and prejudice. This can be performed various ways: protest, charity events or even war.
One example of ‘improving matters for Muslims’ through non-violent means is through Muslim protests and raising awareness of the plight of the Palestinian people.
War is also considered a form of Lesser Jihad and this is something that is also mentioned in the Qur’an as it states “fight those who fight you but do not transgress, Allah does not love transgressors”.
However, in order to fully understand such passages, knowledge of context is hugely important.
Historical context and conditions
Similarly to other religious scriptures , the Qur’an makes numerous references to war as a from of lesser Jihad, however, context is required.
The context here is, 7th century Arabia where society was largely tribal and chaotic, there was little value for life and immorality was common. Each tribe simply looked after their own.
When considering such context the passages in the Qur’an seem to make more sense.
In addition to this, the Qur’an also makes negative reference to to the Jewish tribes in Madinah when Muhammad and the Muslims migrated there.
Despite being given protection by Muhammad under the ‘Constitution of Madinah’, some of the Jewish tribes broke the agreement and began assisting the enemies of of Muhammad. As a result the Jewish tribes were forced to leave the region This may seem harsh, however, if we look at the context and society at the time, this punishment was just.
However, if looked at in isolation, it may be interpreted as Allah commanding the persecution of Jews.
The conditions to Lesser Jihad can be found through the ideas and leadership of Abu Bakr, a close friend of Muhammad. He stated that children, women and the elderly must never be harmed and trees, crops and livestock should never be destroyed.
This echoes ideas of Muhammad - Jihad was defensive. Should not be used to convert others or used to gain wealth.
Applying Lesser Jihad today
War as a form of Lesser Jihad has become prominent over the last 35 years, in late 80s and early 2000s in Afghanistan and over the last decade in Iraq and Syria.
Due to the invasion of these countries some Muslims have joined Jihadi movements as they appeal that this is their way of improving matters for Muslims.
They justify their actions through passages from the Qur’an such as “fight those who fight you.”
However, majority of Muslims are keen to point out that the methods of this form of Jihad is wrong.
Firstly the use of suicide bombing, Muslims strongly argue that this is goes against the teachings of the Qur’an and the Sunnah & Hadith.
Secondly, the condition of Lesser Jihad state that innocents should be protected. Muslim Jihadists today seem to target innocents. In the Qur’an it states “whoever kills an innocent person it is as if he has killed all of humanity.”
