Virtues of Jihad

Society Religion & Philosophy
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[9:36]..and fight against the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) collectively, as they fight against you collectively..

This is a word that has had a lot of negativity put towards it, almost like the word ‘Khilfah’.

Lets consider Jihad in the literal sense -a struggle. A struggle for what? Peace or the right to live in a land where you are not oppressed? It is our duty as Muslims to help one another, especially in the time of need when our brothers and sisters may be being oppressed. So why is it then that so many people in this world are being oppressed and the rest of the muslims just stand back and watch with pity?

What about Physical fighting? Shouldn’t we all train ourselves physically so we can perform our duties as muslims and look after one another.. after all, we pay our zakat, be good to our parents, pray when we can, and perform Hajj if we can… why then are we overlooking such an important part of Islam?

Some people would have you believe that Fighting has no place in Islam.. are these the same people that are scared of the muslims and what we can achieve??

[This message has been edited by CoolDude (edited January 12, 2001).]

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Jihad is the struggle to practice one's religion, one's deen...the struggle to practice islam. In the literal sense it means fighting against oppression, fighting for the freedom to 'be' muslim, in name, in actions, in character, in beliefs.

And you are right, it IS our duty to help our fellow muslims when they are in need.

Why do so many of us remain indifferent to the plight of our brother and sisters? Perhaps its weakness, perhaps fear, maybe apathy, or is it helplessness, ignorance, even lack of interest---are our hearts really that cold?

Whatever the reason, whether its fear or indifference, it just means that people are letting themselves be influenced or sidetracked by things other than which is in islam, some people deviate to such a degree that they put other things before islam. Maybe the deviation is only in the respect of jihad--of the struggle for practicing one's deen, maybe not. But its there, and not only does it seem wrong, but in my eyes its kinda hypocritical in the sense that people place so much more importance on things other than deen that they begin to live their lives according to the attitudes, expectations,etc., of those things rather than islam....I mean if people--if muslims are indifferent, or too afraid to speak, to show, to act the way we have been commanded to by Allah swt ...i just think thats really pathetic, maybe it is harsh, i don't know, but its what i believe. I mean if you truly believe in something, you should strive for to the utmost of your abilities...and you can't really go halfway, islam isn't a pick and choose religion, you either accept it or you don't, and once you accept it, your mission...your life should be in the pursuit of attempting to fulfill islam...always striving to become closer to Allah swt.

*Among the Believers are men who have been true to their Covenant with Allah: of them some have completed their vow to (the extreme) and some (still) wait: but they have never changed (their determination) in the least:

That Allah may reward the men of Truth for their Truth and punish the Hypocrites if that be His Will or turn to them in Mercy: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.(33:23-24)*

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Subhanallah,

There are leaders (imams etc) out there that discourage standing up for Islam and fighting for the oppressed muslims. Granted that Jihad comes in many forms, but it also comes as physical fighting...

I've spoken to brothers who have been to the war fronts, and it saddens me to think that there is so much suffering going on and that I haven't gone there and fought for them... after all, it's one of my duties as a muslim right??

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It saddenes moi also. But then again look at me signature......

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Persist in jihad in the cause of Allah, with your money, your souls, and your tongue.
(Imam Ali)
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There is a new video out called 'Martys of Bosnia'. It's worth a view but not recommended for the weak of heart.

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For being such an important part of Islam, does anybody have any further comments on this?

Come on now, don’t be shy

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif

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Dear Cool dude
My opinion on this matter is that Jihad is not only for religion but also with yourself everday.The most important jihad is with your NAFS which you perform every day.Look around and see how much children and women abuse is prevalent in our society.See how much you are fullfilling obligations to your family life and your neighbours and friends.Thats what i call the most tough daily Jihad.look around and see how many are examplry muslims out there …may be very few.First we have to fight with ourselves. The essential jihad now a days is with you your self.Islam is more in danger by our own so called muslim people.Until we improve ourself we cannot look forward to other forms of Jihad.
"Khuda ney Aaj tak us Qoom ki halat nahi badly
na ho gis ko khiyal aap apni halat key badalny ka’
take it easy

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif

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you're absolutely right, but Jihad is also for the muslims brothers/sisters that are being persecuted outside your family life. We all have a duty to them as well.

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See when your strong in your self and united you are in a position to dictate.Take example of Israel,how united and strong they are now adays.or look at US.
Charity begins at home.

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif

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Salam!

CoolDude yar - did u go to a study circle in tooting, gatton road ever????? Ive actually seen a tape of jihad in bosnia, but this wasnt edited, it was fresh from bosnia back in 1993/4. On a lighter note, any of the guyz know the reward for dying 4 the cause of islam - both yr parents will enter paradise, and 4 the boyz, you will be blessed with the most beautiful women in paradise! Subhanallah!!!!

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Is There a Parallel in Any Civilization?
When Umar ibnAbdul Aziz came to the office of Khilaafah, a delegation of men from Samarqand saw him and represented that the general of the Islamic armies, Qutaibah, had unjustifiably stationed his army men in the town in their midst.Umar ibn AbdulAziz wrote to the governor of Samarqand that he should appoint a tribunal to judge and settle the dispute between Qutaibah and the people of Samarqand. If the judgement of the tribunal goes against the army chief and his men are asked to vacate they must do so at once. The governor appointed Jami` ibn Hadhir Albaji as judge for inquiry. After the inquiry was over, he, though himself a Muslim, passed the judgement that the Muslim army must vacate the town. He also remarked that the commander of the Muslim forces ought to have served an ultimatum of war to the city, and according to the Islamic Law relating to war, he ought to have cancelled all the treaties with them so that the people of Samarqand could get time to prepare for the war. "Sudden attack on them without warning was unlawful."
When the people of Samarqand witnessed the state of affairs, they were convinced that this was an unparalleled case in the history of mankind… the state keeping its Commander-in-Chief and the armies under such strict discipline and control, bound by lofty moral principles. And consequently they decided that fighting against such a people would be futile. Rather, they came to regard it as mercy and a blessing from God. Therefore they agreed to live with the Islamic army in Samarqand.
Just imagine. An army conquers a city and enters it. The inhabitants of that city complain to the victorious government and the judges of that government decide the case against the victorious army, and order the deportation, saying that they could not live there without the consent of the people of that city. Can either the ancient or modern history of mankind point out any war in which the fighting men kept themselves so strictly bound by the moral code, and followed such lofty principles of truth and justice, as demonstrated by the sons of our civilization? In so far as my own knowledge is concerned, not one among the nations of the world can be pointed out which demonstrated such lofty morals.