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 cloths 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 whatever.. Funny enough,
these terrorist groups bear Islamic names, a justified reason for
calling any Muslim a terrorist.
My warm condolences to the families of those who have become victims of these blood-thirsty monsters who unleashed killing at innocent souls at Kenya.
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.
About the writer: Abdul-Karim Mohammed Awaf
Communication Studies
University of Cape Coast.
No comments:
Post a Comment