Holy War: please, show me the proof!

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

Can some one show me the referance to Arabic word that is translated to word “Holy War” in Quran, Hadith or in any Islamic authentic literature?

Apparently, according to my knowledge of Arabic, the word equivalent to Holy war can be Harb Al Qudusa… but I am unable to find it in the whole Quran, any hadith book or even in any Seerah book including the famous Ar Rahiq Al Makhtoom …

If HolyWar is not part of Islamic terminologies, why many scholars and/or so-called correspondent of Islam use this word in media? Why are they so stupid? When Jihad means To struggle (including the struggle in battle-field), why can’t any one stand up and tell that this is what jihad means?

2

Why can't one stand up and say that the meaning is:

To struggle against sin. Ones own sins most importantly? A struggle against ones baser being. A struggle to be good in Gods eyes?

And leave War out of it?

Otherwise? How can one honestly pray in non threatening times? IF ones belief has a dual meaning?

3

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by AvgAmericanGirl: *

And leave War out of it?
[/QUOTE]
like it or not, war is part of Jihad:)

if christians say Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) was for peace and used to present his second cheek if someone slapped on one and that peace is what we should go for and that as Americans brothers say that NO ONE IS GUILTY UNTILL UNLESS PROVEN OTHER WISE, then why are they going against Iraq? did Iraq invade them? what happened to the defensive war, christianity talks about?

Accpet it, it is a fact that no matter how much u beautify your words, when u stand for justice, u do take offensive steps for the sake of your system.. and so does the Islamic system demands as well...

4

Thing is Gadha..

I have no choice in what GBJ does. I voted against him. I have also voted against one of his right hand men (from Missouri; John Ashcroft).

I do not like the politics at all these days. I think they are making a huge mistake and giving Americans a bad name.

I think they are morally wrong in their politics.

I don't think they realize how antagonizing words can be, or have a clue what they do.

And the fact that they passed a terrorism insurance law in which the Federal Government will re-imburse insurance companies up to 200 Billion dollars, and then cancelled extended unemployment benefits for the jobless tells me that they aren't gona change their ways.

IN FACT, to me, passing a law to reimburse terrorism losses means that they know their actions/non actions might just contribute to more terrorism. (Or at least they expect more, so something is wrong no doubt.) Else why have terrorism insurance?

Ugly business. Very Ugly.

And know I'm afaid I have even mentioned it. Gosh..what if they want to arrest me and take me to a military prison without access to a lawyer..just to shut me up?

After all the blubber here..I guess what I am saying is that GBJ and cronies are not Christians..(at least none that I would want as my neighbors.)

And nevermind that somehow..big business can work offshore...or out of the country and not pay taxes. How patriotic.

5

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by AvgAmericanGirl: *
Thing is Gadha..

I have no choice in what GBJ does. I voted against him. I have also voted against one of his right hand men (from Missouri; John Ashcroft).

I do not like the politics at all these days. I think they are making a huge mistake and giving Americans a bad name.

I think they are morally wrong in their politics.

I don't think they realize how antagonizing words can be, or have a clue what they do.

And the fact that they passed a terrorism insurance law in which the Federal Government will re-imburse insurance companies up to 200 Billion dollars, and then cancelled extended unemployment benefits for the jobless tells me that they aren't gona change their ways.

IN FACT, to me, passing a law to reimburse terrorism losses means that they know their actions/non actions might just contribute to more terrorism. (Or at least they expect more, so something is wrong no doubt.) Else why have terrorism insurance?

Ugly business. Very Ugly.

And know I'm afaid I have even mentioned it. Gosh..what if they want to arrest me and take me to a military prison without access to a lawyer..just to shut me up?

After all the blubber here..I guess what I am saying is that GBJ and cronies are not Christians..(at least none that I would want as my neighbors.)

And nevermind that somehow..big business can work offshore...or out of the country and not pay taxes. How patriotic.
[/QUOTE]

So if Christians are doing something against Christianity, it is their personal action and Christiany has nothing to do with it and must not be blamed... Agreed...

Confusing though is why is not the same case when it comes to Islam?

6

In the first post the honorable Ghupshup member Mr Gadha ji is complaining that why the word Jihad is translated as Holy War by the media. In his moment of intellectuality he wonders:

"Why are they so stupid?".

Then exactly 12 minutes later he comes back to reality and declares with a smiley:

"like it or not, war is part of Jihad:)"

Am I missing something here?

7

yes u are:)

the translation is WRONG!

**Jihad **

While Islam in general is misunderstood in the western world, perhaps no other Islamic term evokes such strong reactions as the word ‘jihad’. The term ‘jihad’ has been much abused, to conjure up bizarre images of violent Muslims, forcing people to submit at the point of the sword. This myth was perpetuated throughout the centuries of mistrust during and after the Crusades. Unfortunately, it survives to this day.

The word Jihad comes from the root word jahada, which means to struggle. So jihad is literally an act of struggling. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that the greatest jihad is to struggle with the insidious suggestions of one’s own soul. Thus jihad primarily refers to the inner struggle of being a person of virtue and submission to God in all aspects of life.

Secondarily, jihad refers to struggle against injustice. Islam, like many other religions, allows for armed self-defense, or retribution against tyranny, exploitation, and oppression.

The Glorious Qur’an says:

:flower1:“And why should ye not fight in the cause of God and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? - Men, women, and children, whose cry is: “Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will help!”:flower1:

[Al-Qur’an 4: 75]

Thus Islam enjoins upon its believers to strive utmost, in purifying themselves, as well as in establishing peace and justice in the society. A Muslim can never be at rest when she sees injustice and oppression around her. As Martin Luther King Jr. said:

“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.”

Islam enjoins upon all Muslims to work actively to maintain the balance in which God created everything. However, regardless of how legitimate the cause may be, the Glorious Qur’an never condones the killing of innocent people. Terrorizing the civilian population can never be termed as jihad and can never be reconciled with the teachings of Islam.

8

This is what the founder of Jamiat Islamiyah of Pakistan (Maulana Mawdudi) had to say about jihad. I figure he ought to know.

Mawdudi had written, "Islam wants the whole earth and does not content itself with only a part thereof. It wants and requires the entire inhabited world. It does not want this in order that one nation dominates the earth and monopolizes its sources of wealth, after having taken them away from one or more other nations. No, Islam wants and requires the earth in order that the human race altogether can enjoy the concept and practical program of human happiness, by means of which God has honored Islam and put it above the other religions and laws. In order to realize this lofty desire, Islam wants to employ all forces and means that can be employed for bringing about a universal all-embracing revolution. It will spare no effort for the achievement of this supreme objective. This far-reaching struggle that continuously exhausts all forces and this employment of all possible means are called jihad."

And further, "Islam is a revolutionary doctrine and system that overturns governments. It seeks to overturn the whole universal social order ... and establish its structure anew ... Islam seeks the world. It is not satisfied by a piece of land but demands the whole universe ... Islamic jihad is at the same time offensive and defensive ... The Islamic party does not hesitate to utilize the means of war to implement its goal."

9

Sorry for the cut and paste. I have tried to keep it to a minimum. Anyway you might want to read the whole article. Anyway the article makes it quite clear that Jihad = holy fighting / war. I cannot say it more clearer than the ex-Chief Justice of Saudi Arabia. He is far learned than I will ever be. And the article posted below was written by him.

http://www.islamworld.net/jihad.html

Jihad in the Qur’an and Sunnah
By SHEIKH ABDULLAH BIN MUHAMMAD BIN HUMAID

Published by:

Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
Publishers and Distributors

P.0. Box 21441, Riyadh 11475
Tel.4033962Fax:4021659
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Publisher’s Note
After the testimony of Oneness of Allah swt and the Messengership of Muhammad (pbuh), with firm belief and True Faith, one has to perform the acts of worship as ordained by Islam. Among the obligatory acts of worship are offering the Salat (prayers), observing the Saum (fasts), paying the Zakat and performing the Hajj (pilgrimage to Makka). Besides these acts of worship, a Muslim is directed to abstain from evil deeds and to perform good deeds, so that he may achieve success in the Hereafter, as well as, in the life of this world.
But, as regards the reward and blessing, there is one deed which is very great in comparison to all the acts of worship and all the good deeds-and that is Jihad !
Jihad is regarded as the best thing, one can offer voluntarily. It is superior to nonobligatory prayers, fasting, Zakat, Umra and Hajj as mentioned in the Qur’an and the Ahadith of the Prophet(pbuh). The benefits of Jihad are of great extent and large in scope, while its effects are far-reaching and wide-spreading as regards Islam and the Muslims. For an individualMuslim, Jihad includes all acts of worship and all aspects of belief- thus bringing him greatest reward and vast blessings; and for the Muslim nation, Jihad provides all kinds of successes in respect of prosperity and dignity, victory and glory-thus bringing magnificence and splendour.
In this article, Sheikh 'Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Humaid, ex-Chief Justice of Saudi Arabia, has presented Jihad in the light of Qur’an and Sunna. Never before such an article was seen, describing Jihad in its true colours-so heart evoking and encouraging! May Allah bless him with all His Blessings for all times.

Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan, the translator of the Noble Qur’an and the Sahih AlBukhari, has translated this article from Arabic to the English language with all its fervor and feelings. May Allah reward him with best of His Rewards.
We are publishing this article and recommend every Muslim not only to read it himself but to offer every other Muslim brother within his read.
May Allah shower His Blessings on everyone of us- Ameen !

Abdul Malik Mujahid
General Manager

…

You [true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his Sunna (legal ways, etc.)] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind, you enjoin AlMa 'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid what is AlMunkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allah (V.3:1 10)

So (today) they (Muslims) are leading a life of the one who knows not any Prophet, nor believes in any Divine Message or Divine Inspiration, nor expects any reckoning nor is afraid of the Hereafter. They (Muslims) resemble the preIslamic ignorant nations, against whom they used to fight in the past. They have turned on their heels (back) as apostates from Islam, they have imitated them (ignorant nations) in their civilization, in their social affairs, in their political affairs, in their character and in the pleasures of their lives. They (Muslims) also imitated them in many other things because of which Allah (swt) hated and forsook them. He (Allah) put them (Muslims) into trials under the effects of (1) Western civilization (2) and the Eastern Communist propaganda. So their land became “a free wealth” with no protector, their kingdom became a victim for every beast of prey and a food (nourishment) for every eater, and the meaning of the statement of the Prophet (Muhammad pbuh ) became apparent:

“It is expected that the nations will call other nations to share them against you (Muslims) as the eaters call each other to eat from the food in front of them in a large wooden plate.” A person asked the Prophet (pbuh) will that happen because of our small number on that day? The Prophet said: “Nay! Your number (will be great, but you will be rubbish like the rubbish of flood-water. And certainly Allah will remove from the hearts of your enemies ‘the fear from you’ and surely He (Allah) will throw Wahn in your hearts.” A person asked: What is ‘Wahn’, O Allah’s Messenger? The Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘Wahn’ is to love (this) world and to hate the death."

The Prophet pbuh also said,

"If you: (1) practiced Bai’a Al 'Aina (i.e. selling goods to a person for a certain price and then buying them back from him for a far less price), (2) and followed the tails of the cows (i.e. indulged in agriculture and became contented with it) **(3) and deserted the Jihad (holy fighting) **in Allah’s Cause, Allah will cover you with humiliation and it will not be removed till you return back to your religion (Abu Daud).

And now they (Muslims) have deserted the Jihad and asked help from (their) enemies and protection from the disbelievers, begging them; turning towards them, expecting good from them. So they (Muslims) have become mean, despised before Allah in spite of their Islamic names and in spite of the presence of righteous pious persons amongst them and in spite of the fact that some of the religious laws, signs and ceremonies are practiced in their countries.

…

10

Gadha ji, so you are saying, and is evident from the quotes you presented directly from horse's mouth, that Jihad is Holy and obligation on believers and it includes war. So I beg tell us what is wrong with translating the word Jihad into Holy War?

11

Channji: Please don't confuse the issue with logic. It only makes matters worse.

12

Here are a few more words of the ex-Cheif Justice of Saudi Arabia (article quoted above). I think he clearly states that fighting was eventually made "obligatory". Trying to waffle on this merely creates confusion.

JIHAD IN THE QUR'AN AND SUNNA
Praise be to Allah swt Who has ordained Al-Jihad (the holy fighting in Allah's Cause):

  1. With the heart (intentions or feelings),
  2. With the hand (weapons, etc.),
  3. With the tongue (speeches, etc., in the Cause of Allah)

Allah has rewarded the one who performs it with lofty dwellings in the Gardens (of Paradise).

......

The above Verses clearly state that He (Allah) is Able to give victory to His worshippers (the believers) without fighting, but Allah wants from His worshippers obedience with all their efforts. As in His Statement:

So when you meet (in fight... Jihad in Allah's Cause) those who disbelieve smite at their necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (on them, i.e. take them as captives). Thereafter (is the time) either for generosity (i.e. free them without ransom) or ransom (according to whatbenefits Islam), until the war lays down its burden. Thus [you are ordered by Allah to continue in carrying out Jihad againstthe disbelievers till they embrace Islam (i.e. are saved from the punishment in the Hellfire) orat leastcome under your protection] but if it had been Allah's Will, He Himself could certainly have punished them (without you). But (He lets you fight) in orderto test you, some with others. But those who are killed in the Way of Allah, He will never let their deeds be lost.
He will guide them and set right their state.
And admit them to Paradise which He has made known to them (i.e. they will know their places in Paradise more than they used to know their houses in this world). (V.47:4, 5,6).

Then after that He made (Jihad) "fighting" obligatory against all those who fight you (Muslims); not against those who didn't fight you. So Allah ordered:

And fight in the way of Allah those who fight you... (V.2:I9O).

Then Allah (swt) revealed in Sarah Tauba (Bara 'a) (Repentance, IX) the order to discard (all) the obligations (covenants, etc.) and commanded the Muslims to fight against all the Mushrikun as well as against the people of the Scriptures (Jews and Christians) if they do not embrace Islam, till they pay the Jizya (a tax levied on the nonMuslims who do not embrace Islam and are under the protectionofanlslamicgovernment) with willing submission and feel themselves subdued (as it is revealed in the Verse 9:29). So they (Muslims) were not permitted to abandon "the fighting" against them (Pagans, Jews and Christians) and to reconcile with them and to suspend hostilities against them for an unlimited period while they are strong and are able to fight against them (non Muslims).

*As it is now obvious, at first "the fighting" was forbidden, then it was permitted and after that it was made obligatory- ( I ) against them who start "the fighting" against you (Muslims)... (2) and against all those who worship others along with Allah... as mentioned in SurahAIBaqaraSl (II), Allmran (III) and Tauba (IX)... and other Sarah (Chapters of the Qur'an). Allah (swt) made "the fighting' (Jihad) obligatory for the Muslims and gave importance to the subjectmatter of Jihad in all the Sarah (Chapters of the Qur'an) which were revealed (at AlMadina) as in Allah's Statement: *

March forth whether you are light (being healthy, young and wealthy) or heavy (being ill, old and poor), strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the Cause of Allah. This is better for you if you but knew. (V.9:41).

And He (Allah) said:

Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know. (V.2:216)

"The fighting", even though by its nature is disliked by the human soul because of the liability, of being killed, orbeing taken as a captive, or being injured, with the wasting ofthe wealth, the damaging of the industries, the destruction ofthe country, the spreading of fear and awe in the souls and the (possibility) of being exiled from one's homeland, Allah had made ready an immensely good reward that cannot be imagined by a human soul.
'Ikrima (a religious scholar) said: At first Muslims disliked it (Jihad), but later they loved it and said: "We listen and obey." And that is because the submission to the order to fight means hardship, but if the reward is made known it becomes to compare the hardship involved and its reward.
The Verses of the Qur'an and the Sunna (the Prophet's legal ways, orders etc.) have exhorted greatly for Jihad and have made quite clear its rewards, and praised greatly thosewhoperform Jihad (the holy fighting in Allah's Cause) and explained to them various kinds of honours which they will receive from their Lord (Allah swt). This is because they-Mudahidin are Allah's troops. Allah (swt) will establish His religion (Islam), with them (Mujahidin). He will repel the might of His enemies, and with them He will protect Islam and guard the religion safely.

And it is they, (Mujahidin) who fight against the enemies of Allah in order that the worship should be all for Allah (Alone and not for any other deity) and that the Word of Allah (swt) (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (swt) and His religion Islam) should be superior. Allah has made them (Mujahidin) partners in reward along with all those who guard Islam with their weapons, along with their good deeds which they performed even if they sleep in their homes.