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Jihad is "to Strive and Make an Effort"
A Mythical Moderate Muslim speaks out in The Washington Post.
WHAT IS JIHAD? UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS DOES ISLAM SANCTION THE USE OF VIOLENCE? WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SUICIDE BOMBERS WHO INVOKE ISLAM TO JUSTIFY THEIR ACTIONS?

The term “Jihad” is very much misunderstood by many non-Muslims and it is also very much abused by some Muslims. Jihad does not mean “holy war.” Jihad is an Arabic word, and its literal meaning is “to strive and exert effort.” In the Qur’an, this word is used several times. Sometimes it is used in the spiritual sense implying to strive and make an effort for self-purification from sin and evil. Sometimes it is used in social sense meaning to strive to keep good relations with others and to establish truth, justice and to do charitable deeds. Jihad is also used sometimes in terms of striving against oppression and aggression. As such, Jihad may involve combat and military action. However, this is only one aspect of Jihad. The more specific term for military action in the Qur’an is not jihad but “qital.”

In Islam, warfare is allowed only for defensive purposes to stop oppression and aggression. There is no place in Islamic teachings for war or violence against any person, group or state simply because of the difference of race, color, language, nationality or religion. Islam does not allow any coercion in order to convert others to its faith. The Qur’an says, “There is no coercion allowed in religion.” (Surah 2:256).

Basic Islamic teachings about warfare can be summarized as follows:

1. Warfare should be avoided; Muslims should not begin wars and should only use warfare as a last resort.
2. Warfare is a limited enterprise. Its purpose is only defensive and it should only be used to stop aggression and oppression.
3. War should be only conducted against those who fight. Non-combatants should never be targeted and every possible precaution should be taken to protect them.
4. Water resources, animals, agricultural lands and other resources should be protected from harm as much as possible.
5. Warfare should stop as soon as the enemy inclines to peace, and negotiations should be used. All treaties and agreements should be fully observed.

These are almost unanimously accepted guidelines concerning warfare in Islam. In the past, and now in the present, some Muslims have violated these guidelines under some situations and conditions. Such aberrations or violations are, however, not a rule but an exception to the rule. Modern Muslim jurists of major schools of thoughts agree with the foregoing Islamic teachings and guidelines about warfare.

Terrorism, suicide bombings or any other kind of bombings, shootings or violence that target civilians are totally forbidden in Islam and there is no justification for these acts. A body of Muslim jurists known as the Fiqh Council of North America has issued a strong Fatwa (religious ruling) against terrorism and suicide bombing. This Fatwa has been endorsed by hundreds of Islamic centers and mosques throughout North America.

The Fatwa said:
1. All acts of terrorism targeting the civilians are Haram (forbidden) in Islam.
2. It is Haram (forbidden) for a Muslim to cooperate or associate with any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence.
3. It is the duty of Muslims to cooperate with the law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all civilians.

Those who invoke Islam to justify any acts of extremism, aggression or violence are not only committing sin but they are also defaming Islam and misrepresenting the majority of Muslims who are peaceful and law abiding. Their acts of violence have brought a lot of harm to many innocent human beings, including many Muslims. These foolish and desperate acts have not done any good to the alleged cause or causes that the perpetrators claim to defend.

Muzammil Siddiqi is Chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America,a body tasked with interpreting religious law throughout the continent. He has been involved in a number of inter-faith initiatives, including participation in an inter-faith prayer service with President George W. Bush.
And I hope he's right. Let the discussions begin!
Posted by: Bobby 2007-07-31
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=194948