If Shariah is clearly defined and the borders of what constitutes jihad are always clear, then** Muslims should never be fighting Muslims. Yet, we have centuries of inter-Muslims fighting in our history.**
There is reason to argue that the concept of jihad has been the most misused religious fardh in the history of Muslims.
most of these conflicts esp. that occured after 2nd century hijrah had nothing to do with differences in fiqah or madhab or even sects , it was either personal differences between rulers or clash of different ethnic groups who had converted to islam. e.g turks, perisans, uzbegs, mughals etc]
Christian europeans of essentially the same faith fought each other for hundreds of years that does not mean that it was religious factors fueling these conflicts even the sectarian wars b/w protestant england and catholic spain was largely a landgrabbing in americas and control over the seas]
i agree it has been misused but it does not mean we abolish it or completely downplay its positive role
Calling Madhabs sects and claiming disunity amongst the followers of the different madhabs is an utter lie, and is only going to bring about evil.
You are sidetracking on this issue by taking hits at petty issues like my screenname. Unifying the ummah under an umbrella of false-hood and kufr is not gonna serve any good. Hell...we're already united when we sit together at the United Nations...what other type of (fake) unity are you looking for?
Getting back to the concept of Jihad I think certain points need to be understood by some people:
When Muslims in particular go about their daily lives being 'soft' and are only 'good' when it presents no apparent difficulty or otherwise hold their opinions to themselves are NOT undertaking Jihad.
Jihad and Dawah according to Islamic injunctions are considered part and parcel of the same essential principle ... To enjoin and encourage others to good and to avoid and discourage evil.
In the Qur'an we know that there are levels of belief from Muslim to those who believe and those who excellent (Muhsin). The person who excels is the one who is constantly seeking to "Improve" ... It is this desire to enhance the quality grade of oneself that is the premise of Jihad. It is not inclusive of the idea of praying Salah regularly if praying has become a habitual process. Rather for those things that one subjects oneself to that is against his or her own state of inertia is what is Jihad.
When a person enjoins the truth or mends his or her way, they can be sure a test will come their way. We are told that tests can come in the form of our wealth, our lives, health and so on. To see if we can be patient when these things are 'low' and be thankful when these things are 'high'. Jihad takes up the anti and is when a person actively subjects themselves to these trials in order to promote 'The Word of God'.
It is linked to the concept of belief such that one has to in heart, by mouth or by action to stop or dislike an evil. If one stops an evil knowing that it has repurcussions to ones own state of wellbeing that is Jihad.
I view the concept of fighting in the way of Allah (SWT) as something against our Islamic nature (which is to be loving of things contrary to violence) that we must do against our inertia a striving to uphold 'The Word of God' even if it means stopping others by force. After teaching and coaching us to be delicate and resorting to reason we become trained to do so. It becomes habitual to do so. Only then can fighting be a Jihad otherwise if you give a sword to a raging lunatic who is already in the 'habit' of fighting there is no inner struggle for him there is no Jihad. When people come back from war they need to learn to reintegrate into society this is no different to those Muslims who fought in wars years ago.
That is where it boils down to the amazing situation when Ali (RA) was ready to kill but on that moment he was spat on by his victim upon that Ali (RA) left to fight another. The enemy asked him why he did not slay him, he replied that if he did so in that moment he would do it out of anger and not for Allah (SWT). This is critical message for us. To weild the sword looking to kill is not Jihad, to weild the sword and hoping to spread Islam even to a murderous enemy that is Jihad.
He was very kind to others. He showed his kindness even to his enemies. Once one of his enemies fell down naked because of his attack. Seeing his condition he did not kill him and left him so that he might not be ashamed of his nakedness. After the battle of "Jamal" against lady Aisha, he treated lady 'Aisha (R.A.) very respectfully. He himself went to see her and when she told him that she would like to go to Medina he asked her brother Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr to escort her. He never mistreated his enemies. During the time of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi we Salaam) once he overcame a Jew in a fight, and sat on his chest to kill him. The Jew spat at his face. Hadrat Ali at once left him. Seeing this the Jew was very much surprised and asked the reason. Ali (R.A.) said, "I was killing you for Allah's sake but when you spat on my face, my sincerity was endangered because of the personal feelings." Hearing this the Jew immediately accepted Islam.
As I told you you earlier that I have read this story many a time on this gupshup board and is not my fantasy.
Any how here is the link…I had to waste some time…and now please do not say that it is a fake, ant-Islamic link…///first para clearly quotes that this all happened in the presence of the Prophet and in next para you are free to make your own interpretation or remind me of the proper context…
quotes…
“I am Amr bin Abdu Wud. I am the greatest warrior in Arabia. I am invincible. Is there anyone among you who has the courage to meet me in personal combat?” The challenge was received by the Muslims in silence. They looked at one another. They looked at the Holy Prophet. But no one moved, for the Giant was famous for his strength and skill, and though wounded several times, had never yet lost a duel, nor spared an opponent. It was said that he was equal to 500 horsemen; that he could lift a horse bodily and hurl it to the ground; that he could pick up a calf with his left hand and use it as a shield in combat. The vivid Arab imagination had created around this formidable warrior a legend of invincibility. So the Muslims remained silent, and the Giant laughed with contempt–a laugh in which the Quraish also joined, for they stood quite close to the ditch and could see and hear all that went on. “So is there none among you who has the courage of a man? And what of your Islam? And your Prophet?” At this blasphemous taunt, Ali left his position in the front rank of the Muslims, approached the Holy Prophet and sought permission to engage the challenger and silence his insolent tongue once and for all.
…
There was the quality of steel in the muscles of Ali. “Know, O Amr”, said Ali gently, “that victory and defeat depend upon the will of Allah. Accept Islam! Thus not only will your life be spared, but you will also enjoy the blessings of Allah in this life and the next.” Ali drew a sharp dagger from his waistband and held it close to Amr’s throat. But this was more than the Giant could take. Was he whom Arabia considered her greatest champion to live the rest of his life under the shadow of defeat and disgrace? Was it to be said of him that he saved his life in personal combat by submitting to the conditions of his opponent? No! He, Amr bin Abdu Wud, had lived by the sword. He would perish by the sword. A life spent in violence must end with violence. He gathered the spittle in his mouth and spat into the face of Ali! He knew what would happen. He knew that there would be a sharp intake of breath, that Ali’s right arm would shoot into the air and then plunge the dagger into his throat. Amr was a brave man and could face death without flinching. He arched his back and raised his chin to offer his throat to Ali, for he knew what was to come. But what happened next left him even more bewildered. Ali rose calmly from Amr’s chest, wiped his face, and stood a few paces away, gazing solemnly at his adversary. "Know, O Amr, I only kill in the way of Allah and not for any private motive.
ps. i dunt think this will be evvver over …cos theres too many objections by everyone and secondly there are ‘‘so called’’ hadith being relayed .. which are ‘‘Maudoo-Fabricated i.e. Accept Islam or Die.’’…these sorta narrations have been fabricated my Mustashriqs to defame Islam.
You forgot this part which confirms what i said up there…
*
“Know, O Amr, I only kill in the way of Allah and not for any private motive. Since you spat in my face, my killing you now may be from a desire for personal vengeance. So I spare your life. Rise and return to your people!” The Giant rose. But there was no question of his returning to his people a loser. He would live a victor, or not at all. Intending to make one last attempt at victory, he picked up his sword and rushed at Ali. Perhaps he would catch Ali unaware. Ali had just enough time to pick up his sword and shield and prepare for the fresh assault. The blow which the Giant now delivered in furious desperation was the most savage blow of the encounter. His sword shattered Ali’s shield, but in doing so lost its force and impetus, and could then do no more than inflict a shallow cut on Ali’s temple. The wound was too slight to worry Ali. Before the Giant could raise his sword again, the Zulfiqar flashed in the sunlight, and it’s tip slashed open the Giant’s throat.
You challanged something...to show a link...and then....
Ali said 'Accept Islam! Thus not only will your life be spared'.
I can discuss killings on the name of Jihad...but I am sure that nothing can convince you.
"Know, O Amr, I only kill in the way of Allah"....I wonder how come Allah gives someone an authority to kill others on his name. And if it is Jihad?????
^
We call this "pissing in the wind". Yer all wet.
Teggy not only refuted your claim, you continue to make yourself look ignorant by injecting your own readings on text that clearly doesn't support your stance.
Someone gave the real meaning of Jihad and as it is accepted by muslims.
One person insists that muslim(s) accept his/her version of meaning of Jihad.
In the middle shariah, fiqah discussion with no reason whatsoever.
Let muslims continue to believe what Jihad really is (to fght against evil thoughts which could make someone commit a sin) as posted in earlier posts and ignore those who try hard to incite a fruitless discussion.
/\/\in your words I feel the general Jihad. Does not Islam teach you patience?
Are you being Sarcastic or too smart? Now you are asking someone to be patient? Chit bhi meri Pat bhi meri!!!?
Its like.......someone comes at your house...robs you...destroys the house, scares the family members...........you run after that person........you catch him.....and he says..... "My Dear Friend! Didn't 'humanity' teach you to have mercy on me"????
