Islam and war

[Walaa89]

hey all ,
I would like to talk to you about Islam and war.
Islam And War
One of the most misunderstood terms in Islam is Jihad. Unfortunately the word ‘jihad’ has been misused and as a result many people associate it with war and terrorism. Linguistically Jihad means striving, whether for good or for evil. Its general meaning signifies resisting and opposing the self, oppression, persecution or standing up to a dictator.

Jihad can also denote military effort. This is seen as a last attempt to end the violation of rights of others or any act of aggression. Even during times of war Muslims are commanded to uphold morality. Acts of torture are strictly forbidden. Hurting civilians, women, children and the elderly during times of war are also strictly forbidden.

The Messenger of God said:

“Fight in the name of God, and for the cause of God… do not break treaties, do not mutilate, and do not kill young children.” (Muslim)

Islam also prohibits the destroying or desecrating of places of worship, killing or hurting of animals and destroying trees.

At the time of fighting between Muslims and non-Muslims, Abu Bakr, the first Caliph after the Prophet, would advise his commanders saying:

“I command you ten things. Learn them by heart: Don’t betray, defraud (by stealing the spoils of war), or break treaties. Don’t mutilate, kill women, young children, or the elderly. Do not uproot or burn palm trees. Do not cut down fruitful trees, slaughter sheep, cows or camels except for eating. You will come across people secluded in monasteries, so leave them and what they are devoted to.” (Tabari, Vol.3)

The Prophet told his companions that the greatest jihad (struggle) is the jihad against the ego.
I hope you can now understand how is Islam..
walaa

[Stylishchoco]

walaa89, thanks for your clear explanation. I think I heard this clarifying information about Jihad before from my friends here... Since most of the people here in Indonesia are muslim, so I get to know a bit about this issue...
Too bad nowadays people tend to associate the word "jihad" negatively. I guess they just can't help the fact that all the terrorism action are tagging their misconduct with this word.

[NinaZara]

True but why do many, who claim themselves Muslims, still do the opposite?

Sometimes, I do wonder whether Osama has ever doubted his beliefs. I mean, he killed so many innocent people in the name of religion. Does he even fear God?

[Stylishchoco]

I think what Osama did can't be associated with the religion... I always like to think that he has his own perception and that he just misused Islam to find some kind of justification for his malevolent act...

[NinaZara]

Demented is more like it.

And I have always thought what they are doing has a lot to do with culture. It has something to do with them thinking that Islam is the only "true" religion on earth and their need to impose things on others. I don't know whether you notice this, but Islam, or more like Muslims, are highly influenced by their culture. Muslim Malay for example, generally, think eating pork is more disgusting than missing one's prayer, which is totally the opposite.

Then also, when I was living in Malaysia, I was told that the Shi'ite is very extreme and all they want is to get rid not only the non-Muslims but also the Sunnis. The media isn't helping either, because that is the only thing we hear and see they do. But to my surprise, here, in Japan, I met some Shi'ite who are just like me and my family, normal people. That was really an eye opening experience.

Funnily enough, I never understood why those extreme Shi'ite was supposed to justify the acts of some Sunnis.

[Johnnywill]

I've seen the movie Don't mess with the Zohan.
Very funny, talking about war and peace in the middle east.
Not fit for youngsters under 18 years old, lol

[Waelsaeed]

[NinaZara]

[Prezbucky]

Bosh? Did you mean President Bush?

In defense:

During the US Revolutionary War -- which was, coincidentally, also an attempt to free a people from a tyrant they did not wish to suffer under any longer -- the French helped us. Are the French pissed on today for helping us gain our freedom from GB?

We too helped to remove a tyrant who persecuted, tortured or killed most of his subjects. So what should we have done, left Saddam in power?

Freedom requires sacrifice. We have bled, Brits have bled, peaceful Iraqis and others have bled to secure freedom, TRUE democratic freedom, for Iraq. Saddam murdered his own people. He served his band of militant Tikriti Sunnis, comprising maybe 3% of Iraq's population. He could not be deposed from within, and he wasn't going to step down on account of a strongly worded letter from the UN. His followers, who don't want to lose their power and would let their guns talk rather than their voices and votes, are culpable for this war. They are the reason we're still in Iraq.
_________________
Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.

[Molly]

Thanks for that very interesting explanation of "Jihad", walaa89.

[Molly]

[NinaZara]

[Molly]

[Molly]

[NinaZara]

Feeling rage and contempt is normal or perhaps fair in my opinion, but choosing to act on it isn't.

And I wish AOG hadn't put all those ghastly pictures of dead babies on their website. If instilling hatred towards targeted group was their intention, well I think they are sick to even being able to stomach them.