Jihad is not what you think it is

[lewisnotmiller]

There are 40,000 Americans living and working in Arabia. There are a number of ex-pat and annuitant and US student websites.. They don't report any difficulties.. My experience isn't unique.

I don't know that much about India.. I know the Arabs traded with the Indus Valley long before Islam.. and I know the British Empire controlled a lot of people with a small force by setting one group against another.

What do you mean by 'they don't report any difficulties'? Do you think that means there ARE no difficulties?
I had dinner with an ex-pat who lives there tonight. Not American, but western.

 

[ManSinha]

There are 40,000 Americans living and working in Arabia. There are a number of ex-pat and annuitant and US student websites.. They don't report any difficulties.. My experience isn't unique.

I don't know that much about India.. I know the Arabs traded with the Indus Valley long before Islam.. and I know the British Empire controlled a lot of people with a small force by setting one group against another.

Then it would perhaps behoove you to take a few minutes and learn - I have provided the links or you are more than adept at doing your own search. Just relying on your current experiences tells only part of the story. There is a whole another side that is also present. This is not about Arabs trading - this is about terrorizing the locals and spreading Islam at the point of a sword riding roughshod over the local religions and beliefs.

The British ruled by using divide and conquer but they were careful to at least officially stay out of the religious politics -

 

[Spirit of Light]

Jesus didn't ask his followers to hide child abusers. However, where they do, they deserve to be called out and judged on it.
Whilst I don't claim to know the entirety of the prophets intent, I do know that his followers are divided in their interpretation of his message. Not all interpret Jihad as you have, and not all are worthy of respect.

I have not seen Muhammed do what he is accused to have done so i am not going to judge him from something i do not know he did or did not do. Children should never be abused in any way. But it happens today too, and not only in a islamic world. it happens in every country, so we can not say islam is worse then other on this, that clame fall off its own evidence. But we should not take lightly on it when it happen and we have court systems that handle the cases.
There is more then one way to translate the word Jihad, and the last solution Mohammed said was use of force, not the first, second or third option, but the last. That some people chose to use the last option first is not Islam's fault. is it? And those who fight a war on non muslims are them self not as muslim to be seen.

 

[sooda]

What do you mean by 'they don't report any difficulties'? Do you think that means there ARE no difficulties?
I had dinner with an ex-pat who lives there tonight. Not American, but western.

I lived there a long time and still maintain contact.. I have never known any ex-pat who was mistreated or molested in anyway.

Where does your dinner companion live in Arabia?

 

[loverofhumanity]

I hope this topic is not going to offend anyone, but it is an important part of the understanding of Islam.

As soon as a person bring up the Arabic word Jihad it is seen as something very evil, But do you really know the true meaning behind the word?

It is not as bad as you think, because it does not mean Holy war only, And the war part is the very last thing in this, and it is only as defence.

In Arabic the Word Jihad means struggle or spiritual struggle, it actually is meant as a word for the internal struggle each muslim go thru in their practice. Not a call for war on everyone who is not a muslim.

So what we call terrorists today, has nothing to do with islam, because they dont understand even the most simple verse they clame to be in war for.

Hi Amanaki. This is an excellent thread topic. In the Quran it is all about spiritual,struggle against the ego.

 

[Flankerl]

I find the saying, 'The greatest Jihad is the Jihad against one's own self' , very inspiring.

It's also wrong. It comes from an unreliable Hadith that isn't supported among Islamic scholars.

Meanwhile in reality

Quran 4:95
Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] - other than the disabled - and the mujahideen, [who strive and fight] in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred the mujahideen through their wealth and their lives over those who remain [behind], by degrees. And to both Allah has promised the best [reward]. But Allah has preferred the mujahideen over those who remain [behind] with a great reward -

Furthermore
Sunan Ibn Majah Book 24 Hadith 2794
It was narrated that ‘Amr bin ‘Abasah said: “I came to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, which Jihad is best?’ He said: ‘(That of a man) whose blood is shed and his horse is wounded.’”

This Hadith belongs to the Sahih, which is the greatest rank among the Hadith and means that they are seen as authentic.


There is more where this comes from.
Almost as if an Arab warlord had these warlike ideas. So weird.

 

[Lyndon]

It's also wrong. It comes from an unreliable Hadith that isn't supported among Islamic scholars.

Meanwhile in reality

Quran 4:95
Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] - other than the disabled - and the mujahideen, [who strive and fight] in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred the mujahideen through their wealth and their lives over those who remain [behind], by degrees. And to both Allah has promised the best [reward]. But Allah has preferred the mujahideen over those who remain [behind] with a great reward -

Furthermore
Sunan Ibn Majah Book 24 Hadith 2794
It was narrated that ‘Amr bin ‘Abasah said: “I came to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, which Jihad is best?’ He said: ‘(That of a man) whose blood is shed and his horse is wounded.’”

This Hadith belongs to the Sahih, which is the greatest rank among the Hadith and means that they are seen as authentic.


There is more where this comes from.
Almost as if an Arab warlord had these warlike ideas. So weird.

I'm would guess you have some warlike ideas of your own with regard the treatment of the Palestinians in Israel!!

 

[Flankerl]

Strawmen are fun when you can't refute people.

You'll never change.

 

[Samantha Rinne]

I hope this topic is not going to offend anyone, but it is an important part of the understanding of Islam.

As soon as a person bring up the Arabic word Jihad it is seen as something very evil, But do you really know the true meaning behind the word?

It is not as bad as you think, because it does not mean Holy war only, And the war part is the very last thing in this, and it is only as defence.

In Arabic the Word Jihad means struggle or spiritual struggle, it actually is meant as a word for the internal struggle each muslim go thru in their practice. Not a call for war on everyone who is not a muslim.

So what we call terrorists today, has nothing to do with islam, because they dont understand even the most simple verse they clame to be in war for.

Actually, the Quran clearly describes what Jihad is. Several times. It is exactly what I think it is.

Thanks for gaslighting all of us though, telling us we're crazy for what we know.

 

[Spirit of Light]

Actually, the Quran clearly describes what Jihad is. Several times. It is exactly what I think it is.

Thanks for gaslighting all of us though, telling us we're crazy for what we know.

I have not Said anything about quran. In OP i say Jihad does not mean actually holy war. It means flight within when cultivating islam.
Why do you feel you got attacked?

 

[Milton Platt]

I hope this topic is not going to offend anyone, but it is an important part of the understanding of Islam.

As soon as a person bring up the Arabic word Jihad it is seen as something very evil, But do you really know the true meaning behind the word?

It is not as bad as you think, because it does not mean Holy war only, And the war part is the very last thing in this, and it is only as defence.

In Arabic the Word Jihad means struggle or spiritual struggle, it actually is meant as a word for the internal struggle each muslim go thru in their practice. Not a call for war on everyone who is not a muslim.

So what we call terrorists today, has nothing to do with islam, because they dont understand even the most simple verse they clame to be in war for.

Explain it to the Jihadists, not us....

 

[Glaurung]

In OP i say Jihad does not mean actually holy war. It means flight within when cultivating islam.

The only people who believe this are willfully blind progressives and or those with an apologetic agenda for Islam. Expansion of Islam by offensive military campaigns is an historical obligation of Sunni Islam. (To my knowledge, the Shia require the blessing of the Imam for such campaigns). The Sunni scholars have never been shy on this point. (I can bring out my book on the Crusades, which quotes some of these scholars). Yes, jihad can mean internal struggle, but you've bought a bill of goods if you think such is the only or primary meaning of the word.

Why do you feel you got attacked?

Because there is nothing noble in perpetuating politically correct half-truths. We live in the age of the internet, everyone can read the primarily sources for themselves. Being honest about what Islam has historically taught isn't a demonization of Muslims. I don't condemn medieval powers for being expansionistic. That was simply the nature of things.

 

[Spirit of Light]

The only people who believe this are willfully blind progressives and or those with an apologetic agenda for Islam. Expansion of Islam by offensive military campaigns is an historical obligation of Sunni Islam. (To my knowledge, the Shia require the blessing of the Imam for such campaigns). The Sunni scholars have never been shy on this point. (I can bring out my book on the Crusades, which quotes some of these scholars). Yes, jihad can mean internal struggle, but you've bought a bill of goods if you think such is the only or primary meaning of the word.


Because there is nothing noble in perpetuating politically correct half-truths. We live in the age of the internet, everyone can read the primarily sources for themselves. Being honest about what Islam has historically taught isn't a demonization of Muslims. I don't condemn medieval powers for being expansionistic. That was simply the nature of things.

I try again. This OP was about the word Jihad and it's true meaning. Not about islam or its wars

 

[We Never Know]

I try again. This OP was about the word Jihad and it's true meaning. Not about islam or its wars

Which meaning?

Definition of jihad.
1 : a holy war waged on behalf of Islam as a religious duty also : a personal struggle in devotion to Islam especially involving spiritual discipline.
2 : a crusade for a principle or belief.

Definition of JIHAD

Others;
1 : a struggle or fight against the enemies of Islam.
"he declared a jihad against the infidels"
2 : the spiritual struggle within oneself against sin.

 

[Spirit of Light]

Which meaning?

Definition of jihad.
1 : a holy war waged on behalf of Islam as a religious duty also : a personal struggle in devotion to Islam especially involving spiritual discipline.
2 : a crusade for a principle or belief.

Definition of JIHAD

Others;
1 : a struggle or fight against the enemies of Islam.
"he declared a jihad against the infidels"
2 : the spiritual struggle within oneself against sin.

The first and most important meaning is the spiritual struggle within oneself against sin.
Islam practised correctly is a journey within one self

 

[We Never Know]

The first and most important meaning is the spiritual struggle within oneself against sin.
Islam practised correctly is a journey within one self

Then you should go with this one.

Jihad, (Arabic: “struggle” or “effort”)also spelled jehad, in Islam, a meritorious struggle or effort. The exact meaning of the term jihad depends on context; it has often been erroneously translated in the West as “holy war.” Jihad, particularly in the religious and ethical realm, primarily refers to the human struggle to promote what is right and to prevent what is wrong.

jihad | Meaning, Examples, & Use in the Quran

 

[Spirit of Light]

Then you should go with this one.

Jihad, (Arabic: “struggle” or “effort”)also spelled jehad, in Islam, a meritorious struggle or effort. The exact meaning of the term jihad depends on context; it has often been erroneously translated in the West as “holy war.” Jihad, particularly in the religious and ethical realm, primarily refers to the human struggle to promote what is right and to prevent what is wrong.

jihad | Meaning, Examples, & Use in the Quran

jihad | Meaning, Examples, & Use in the Quran similar to this answer in this link yes

 

[Glaurung]

I try again. This OP was about the word Jihad and it's true meaning. Not about islam or its wars

A word means precisely what is understood to mean by those who use it. (Words are significations created by convention, not innate realities with intrinsic meanings). And in Islam the world jihad (usually) means a military campaign for the purpose of either defending or expanding Islam. The fact that you don't want to hear that doesn't change the reality. Being a Buddhist you may struggle to accept this, but ahimsa isn't a universal doctrine. There are value systems which legitimize violence for specific ends. Historically, Islam is one such value system.

To argue otherwise is to argue that Muslims have misconstrued their own religion since the Arab Conquests. That if the caliphates, sultanates and empires had known what jihad really meant...

It's a silly argument.

 

[Spirit of Light]

A word means precisely what is understood to mean by those who use it. And in Islam the world jihad (usually) means a military campaign for the explicit purpose of either defending or expanding Islam. The fact that you don't want to hear that doesn't change the reality. Ahimsa isn't a universal doctrine.

Why would i not want to hear it? All i did in the OP was to say the word does not mean only one evil thing, the true meaning of the word has also a very good rightroues answer to it.
But yes it can mean in the very last meaning to defend one self by force, but it does not mean that they should bomb other countries

 

[Glaurung]

Why would i not want to hear it? All i did in the OP was to say the word does not mean only one evil thing, the true meaning of the word has also a very good rightroues answer to it.

No one denies that the tradition of jihad in the sense of an internal struggle to overcome sinful dispositions exists. Christians have a similar idea known as spiritual combat. However, to claim 'inner struggle' is the primary and true meaning of the term jihad is to flagrantly ignore the historical reality. Inner struggle is one meaning of jihad. Holy war is the other. It is nonsensical to argue the former is the 'true' meaning of jihad when even the tradition in question denies this in favour of the latter.

But yes it can mean in the very last meaning to defend one self by force, but it does not mean that they should bomb other countries

No it dosen't. Firstly, because no Muslim majority country is in any position to wage offense jihads against the west. Secondly, it isn't the middle ages anymore and offensive, expansionist holy wars are a hard sell in today's order.