ID :
349368
Thu, 11/27/2014 - 11:31
Auther :

Jihad Is Not About War And Killing

By Melati Mohd Ariff KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- The much talked about Jihad of today is very much linked to the militant uprising in Syria and Iraq with many wrongfully believing Jihad is synonymous with war and bloodshed. The widespread propaganda through the social media is said to have convinced many of the youngsters including from the West to join the IS movement that is waging a brutal war in Iraq and Syria. Bernama recently sought the views of Md.Asham Ahmad, a Senior Fellow in The Centre for The Study of Syariah, law and politics, Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim), to get the true idea of Jihad. The interview with Md. Asham is divided into two parts. The first dwells into the interpretation of Jihad itself. BERNAMA : Based on the current development, many view Jihad being synonymous with war and killing. What is your view on this. Md Asham: Jihad now appears to be a term with its meaning taken out of context. And no thanks to the Western media that equates the Jihad with the holy war, which is actually the term used to refer to the Christian crusade against the Muslims. As the Western media exerts powerful global influence, their misinterpretation of this term has unleashed far reaching consequences even on Muslims worldwide. The Hadith has clearly stated that jihad in the sense of physical warfare is only of minor significance. Jihad in the bigger picture encompasses a wider concept of noble struggle to ensure the well-being of the family, community, the nation and ummah. And in carrying out the Jihad the Hadith has defined in many ways what can and cannot be done, something that the Jihadist of today choose to ignore. In fact, now the term Jihad is used to justify the means in achieving their goals. They claim that they have the right intentions, to overcome cruelty, for the well-being of the ummah and to eradicate the enemies of Islam. BERNAMA : What about Jihad and suicide bombers? Md Asham: The intention of suicide bombing is to cause fear and damage. But they not only attack their enemies, they blow themselves up anywhere - markets, schools, mosques and hospitals. However, it must be noted that Islam forbids suicide. Then how is suicide justified in Jihad? As for these people, there is something not right in the way they think. And they not only kill themselves in the process, they also kill and maim the others and not to mention the properties destroyed. Moreover, Islam imposes conditions on Jihad. As for example, before dispatching his army to the battlefield Saidina Abu Bakar called upon his field commanders for a briefing. And what did he brief them? Don't kill women, elders, children and even animals. They were also reminded not to cut down or destroy trees. Do not destroy the churches or the synagogues or any place of worship for that matter. He event told them to leave alone those seeking refuge in places of worship. However, now even the mosques are destroyed. What is happening today is a clear reflection of the prevailing confused state of mind driven by excessive hatred, fanaticism and frustration. It is undeniable that many parts of the Muslim world today are in a sad state of affairs, with the meddling and intrusion of foreign powers in local affairs that led to oppression and unfairness which in turn breeds hatred and anger. However, this does not justify their actions and the end should not justify the means'. BERNAMA : Maybe there are those who believe that such Jihad opens a shortcut to heaven? Md Asham: If the person feels that he/she will die as a martyr and book a berth to heaven by this way, then the person is certainly wrong. Jihad calls for noble goals. However, if the jihad is not carried out the right way, it is no longer a noble cause. Let us go back to the Hadith where the Prophet reminded one of his followers that instead of going to war he should take care of his mother if there was no one to take care of her. Therefore it is wrong to think that if one dies in war, then one achieves martyrdom. By being with a group that claims to be on a Jihad, they believe they are allowed to do anything as they like - commit suicide, kill others, etc. It is obvious that the IS not advocating the true Islamic struggle. They are in fact the enemies of Islam and can be considered as deviants. Such extremist groups will only cause more damage and destruction on earth. BERNAMA : If war is not the significant part of Jihad, then what is the significant part of Jihad according to Islam? Md Asham: The Prophet stipulated that fighting one's lust and uncurtailed desires are the biggest Jihad. They are the worst enemy said the Prophet and they are the danger and enemy that one should constantly guard against. Therefore, if those in war fail to control their lust or in fact overwhelmed by lust then the atrocities of the worst kind could happen. In a physical war, there are no laws or enforcement. All that counts is who is in power at that time. This is what we are witnessing in Iraq and Syria today. In Syria, hundreds and thousands have been killed, and not to mention the thousands who have been injured, displaced, lost their limbs and the economic destruction. They have in fact brought destruction to Islam. So where is the so called Jihad against the atrocities of Syria's Bashar al Assad is heading. It appears that Bashar's atrocities have been replaced by greater atrocities of the IS. We should learn from the turn of events in the restive Iraq and Syria. Even Libya has yet to recover. Islam in fact appreciates peace where in peaceful environment many good virtues can be achieved. Morever, armed uprising is not condoned by any of the denomination in Islam even against the most cruel of the rulers. Only when Muslims are persecuted, only then could they rise in Jihad. If it is about going against a cruel and iron fisted regime, it does not call for armed uprising or bloodshed. Killings among Muslims leads to 'kufur' (disbelief). In one of the Hadith the Prophet related to his companions, "we return from a small war to face a bigger war". Here, the Prophet has clearly indicated that the armed war is only of small significance and when life returns to the daily routine we have to face the bigger war of managing with the family, society and nation, this is the essence of the noble Jihad. Therefore, it is important that the Jihad is understood in the bigger and comprehensive picture. -- BERNAMA

X