Jihad in Islam-A concept misconstrued

In this 21st century, several items of historical interest have evolved stirring a renewed global discourse on many issues, most principal among them is terrorism.

It has become a common scene for any person with a “goatee” beard donned in white or black “jalabia” branded as a terrorist. Any Muslim now attracts sneers and scorns wherever he or she goes, and is often looked with suspicious eye just because of the fear that the person might have a bomb shelved in his her clothes and might detonate it at any point in time.

Those bearing Islamic names desiring to fly to Europe or the US, the least said about them, the better! They are often subjected to vigorous scrutiny before being allowed to board flight. This is as a result of acts of terrorism that have occurred in this century. A clear case that comes to mind is 9/11 terrorists attack at the World Trade Center. Why should any act of terrorism branded as Jihadist?

Listening to the BBC, which of course is my favourite dial for many reasons but the most obvious of them is my strive to become a journalist, every terrorist group is often pronounced “Jihadist group” which literally goes to underpin the fact that the so-called group is fighting in the course of Islam, be it Al-Shabab, Boko Haram, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, al-Gama’a al-Islamiyya or wherever. Funny enough, these terrorist groups bear Islamic names, a justified reason for calling any Muslim a terrorist.

The multi-million questions I often ponder are; “Are these people really fighting for Islam? Does the doctrine of Islam sanction killing fellow human being all in the name of Allah? Has the concept of Jihad misconstrued? Well, I sought to find out and have surfed through dozens of web-pages, the Qur’an and renowned Islamic scholars including Sheik Abdallah ibn Bayyah, Director for the Global Center of Renewal & Guidance, UK and a member of the European Research & Fatwa Council, Ireland and hope to share with readers on the concept of Jihad in Islam.

Concept of Jihad Jihad is a beautiful concept that has been misused, whether by extremist adherence or by utter negligence. What does Jihad mean linguistically and technically? And why is it legislated in the Qur’an? In Arabic usage, Jihad is the “exertion of the utmost effort to achieve something that is probably desirable”. Religiously, Jihad has three types, as identified by Ar-Raghib in Al-Mufradat: (1) Jihad against an express enemy, (2) Jihad against Satan, and (3) Jihad against one’s own self. The last two meanings are stated in several hadiths. For example, Imam Ahmad in his Musnad and Abu Dawud in his Sunan reported Fudalah Ibn `Ubayd as narrating that the Prophet said: “A true mujahid (believer) is the one who strives against his own self in obedience to Allah” (Authinticated by Al-Albani)

In a weak hadith reported by Al-Bayhaqi, Jabir narrated that, upon return from his last battle at Tabuk, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him said) said, “We have returned from the minor Jihad to the major Jihad” He interpreted it as meaning to combat one’s whims. In fact, taking care of one’s parents is a sort of Jihad. The Prophet said, "Then let your taking care of them be your Jihad." (Al-Bukhari)

Ibn Taymiyyah defined Jihad saying, “It encompasses all sorts of worship, whether inward or outward, including love of Allah, devotion to Him, reliance on Him, submission of one’s soul and property to Him, patience, asceticism, and continuing remembrance of Him. It takes all possible forms — physical, spiritual, mental, verbal, etc.” The first meaning, Jihad or fighting against hostile non-Muslims is the most common. Many Qur’anic verses and Prophetic hadiths detailed its merits, conditions, and guidelines. History reveals significant instances and practices of it between Muslims and non-Muslims, which have ever been an object of large-scale attention and heated debate, wavering between glorification and condemnation, over enthusiasm and neglect. Jihad in Islam is not necessarily synonymous to fighting; it has a much broader sense. Basically, it means to preach and defend what is right. In Surah Al-Furqan, Allah says, {And strive against them (i.e., advocates of falsehood) by means of it (i.e., the Qur’an), with the utmost strife.} (Al-Furqan 25:52) That is, refute false claims with every possible evidence. Obviously, recitation of the Qur’an has nothing to do with military actions. Therefore, not every Jihad should be fighting, and not every fighting should be Jihad. In its essence, Jihad is a call for freedom. Not every Jihad is a military action, nor is every military action Jihad. Ibn Khaldun divided warfare into four types, depending on the motive. He wrote; the origin of all wars is revengefulness, two wars are unjust: war of expansion and war of aggression. And two wars are just: war in defence of religion (Jihad) and war against rebels (sovereignty protection war, as he called it).

Forcing Islam on People Embracing Islam under compulsion is unacceptable. Islamic Shari`ah is all based on free choice, and when free choice is lacking, one’s conducts shall have no effect, whether in beliefs, contracts, commitments, etc. This is substantiated in numerous texts in the Glorious Qur’an and Prophetic hadiths.

Allah says, {Let there be no compulsion in religion} (Al-Baqarah 2:256). This is a self-evident verse from this surah (Chapter), which was sent down in Medinah, where Muslims were gaining more and more power — contrary to the Pope’s claim that it was sent down when Muslims were weak. It is a regretful and ill-founded claim. The truth is, a number of youths from Al-Ansar (Madinan supporters of the Prophet) were raised among Jews, and their families wanted to force them to embrace their religion. Then, Allah forbade them, asserting the rule of non-compulsion. Also, in Surat Yunus, Allah says, {Had your Lord so willed, all who are on the earth would have believed altogether. Will you, then, (be the one to) compel people so that they become believers?} (Yunus 10: 99)

He also says, in Surat Al-Kahf, {And say, the truth is from your Lord. So, whoever wills let him believe. And whoever wills let him disbelieve.} (Al-Kahf 18:29) And in Surat Al-Ghashiyah, Allah says, {So, remind (people). You are but a reminder. You are not over them domineering} (Al-Ghashiyah 88: 21-22)

Similarly, when someone renounces Islam due to coercion, this renunciation shall have no effect. Allah says, {...except for one who has been compelled (to renounce his faith) while his heart remains at peace with faith} (An-Nahl 16:106). In Islamic jurisprudence, coercion is an unbearable pressure that renders contracts and commitments made thereunder null and void. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was reported to have said, “Allah has pardoned my Ummah (followers) for mistakes, forgetfulness, and that which they are forced to do” (Ibn Majah)

It is self-evident that Jihad is not fighting, contrary, it means to preach and defend what is right and therefore upon the above analysis given, one does not need a rocket scientist or soothsayer to understand that the doctrine of Islam abhors the act of terrorism being carried across the globe by so-called Jihadist group including Boko Haram, Al-Shabab, al-Qaeda or whatever. God bless our homeland, Ghana and may He grant us understanding so that we will remain pure in thee.