Re: If Islam means Peace, then why does it preach JIhad?
the word islam has a two-fold meaning
*Definition
The word ISLAM has a two-fold meaning: peace, and submission to God. This submission requires a fully conscious and willing effort to submit to the one Almighty God. *
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Is·lam (ĭs-läm’, ĭz-, ĭs’läm’, ĭz’-) pronunciation
n.
- A monotheistic religion characterized by the acceptance of the doctrine of submission to God and to Muhammad as the chief and last prophet of God.
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- The people or nations that practice Islam; the Muslim world.
- The civilization developed by the Muslim world.
Arabic ’islām, submission, from ’aslama, to surrender, resign oneself, from Syriac ’ašlem, to make peace, surrender, derived stem of šlem, to be complete.
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http://www.answers.com/topic/islam
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In Arabic, Islām means “submission” (understood as submission to God) and is described as a Dīn or Deen, meaning “way of life” and/or “religion.” Etymologically, it is derived from the same root as, for example, Salām meaning “peace” (also a common salutation). The word Muslim is also related to the word Islām and means one who “surrenders” or “submits” to God.
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