Most misunderstood word – ‘Jihaad’

The first, number one misconception regarding Islam, the top of the charts is regarding Jihaad. Today Jihaad is the most misunderstood word regarding Islam. It is not only misunderstood by the Non-Muslims, it is even misunderstood by many of us Muslims. Non-Muslims and many Muslims think that Jihaad means any war fought by any Muslim for any reason, whether it be for power, whether it be for wealth, whether it be for land, whether it be for language, etc. Any war fought by any Muslim for any reason, is called as Jihaad. Jihaad does not mean any war fought by any Muslim for any reason, whether it be for money, whether it be for power, whether it be for land, whether it be for language, etc.

Meaning of Jihaad

‘Jihaad’ is an Arabic word which comes from the word ‘Jahada’ which means to strive, which means to struggle. So Jihaad basically means to strive and struggle. In the Islamic context, Jihaad means to strive and struggle against one’s own evil inclinations. Jihaad also means to strive and struggle to make the society better. Jihaad also means to fight against oppression. Jihaad also means to fight in self defense in the battlefield. So Jihaad basically means to strive and struggle. For example if a student is striving and struggling to pass in the examination, in Arabic we say the student is doing Jihaad. He’s striving and struggling.

Jihaad can also be done by Non-Muslims

Many people have a misconception and they think that Jihaad can only be done by a Muslim. There are no less than two verses in the Qur’an, which say that even Non-Muslims do Jihaad. Surah Luqmaan, Chapter No. 31, Ayah No. 14, “We have enjoined on the human beings to be kind to their parents, in travail upon travail the mother bore them and in pain did she give them birth” Immediately after praising the parents, specially the mother, the verse continues… Surah Luqmaan, Chapter No. 31, Ayah No. 15, says that, “But if your parents (do Jihaad), strive and struggle to make you worship somebody else besides Allah (swt) of whom you have no knowledge then don’t obey them but yet live with them with love and compassion”. Here the Qur’an is talking about Non-Muslim parents, doing Jihaad, striving and struggling to make their children do Shirk, worship somebody else besides Allah (swt). A similar message is given in Surah Al Ankaboot, Chapter No. 29, Ayah No. 8, that “We have enjoined on human beings to be kind to the parents but if the parents (do Jihaad), strive and struggle to make them worship somebody else besides Allah (swt) don’t obey them. You all have to return to Me, and I will tell you (the truth) of all that you did.” So here the Qur’an is talking about Non-Muslim parents doing Jihaad.

Continued on second post