The term “Jihad” does not mean “holy war”; it is a concept introduced by the Western media. The Arabic phrase for “holy war” would be “El harb el Moukadassa,” and it is nowhere to be found in the Qur’an or in the Hadiths (the sayings of Prophet Muhammad).
In the Qur’an, the word Jihad refers to striving, struggling, and making continuous efforts to follow the Right Path. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The most excellent Jihad is that for the conquest of self.”
Jihad can take many forms:
- Fighting against evil in society is one form of Jihad.
- Going to work each day to contribute to society is another.
- Working to improve your life and the lives of your children is also a form of Jihad.
- Volunteering to help those in need is yet another example.
Fighting and Self-Defence:
It is strictly forbidden in Islam for Muslims to be the initiators of war. When a Muslim country is invaded and after having exhausted all forms of diplomacy (diplomacy is also a form of jihad in order to prevent armed conflict and the loss of human lives) and if war is imminent, scholars and people of knowledge will decide if fighting is necessary. If that is the case, defending the country from invaders becomes a form of jihad.
While defending themselves during a war, Muslims must obey strict rules:
It is forbidden for Muslims to resort to unscrupulous methods, to pillage and kill indiscriminately, to kill civilians or those not participating directly in a war, to take up arms against women, children, the old, and the injured, to mutilate enemy corpses, or destroy people’s home, fields and livestock. Prisoners are to be treated humanely. Destruction of lands, fruit trees, animals, towns, and villages is also forbidden. Muslims must be inclined to peace if the enemy is genuinely inclined to peace, to make treaties and agreements to preserve the peace, and to observe the treaties as long as the enemy observes them.
In the Qur’an, the word peace is repeated 67 times. God says:
“If they leave you alone and offer to make peace with you, God does not allow you to harm them.” (Qur’an 4:90)
“And if they incline to peace, then you incline to it, and trust in God” (Qur’an 8:61)
Some critics of Islam carelessly quote the following verse to illustrate Islam’s aggressiveness: “…And slay them wherever you catch them….”(Qur’an 2:191)
However, the full verse is:
“Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not transgressors. And slay them wherever you catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they fight you there first; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith. But if they cease, God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. (Qur’an2:190-192)
Cherish the sanctity of human life:
As stated in the Qur’an, fighting is permitted only for self-defense, not for committing murder or oppressing others. This principle is reinforced by the value of human life ascribed by God in the Qur’an:
“…if anyone kills a person unless it is for murder or for spreading corruption in the land it is as if he has killed all of humanity. And if anyone saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity. Even though Our messengers came to them with clear guidance, many continued to commit transgressions in the land” (Qur’an 5:32).
“…Do not take a life that God has made sacred, except in the course of justice and law. Thus, He commands you so that you may understand” (Qur’an 6:151).
As stated in the Qur’an, fighting is permitted for Self-defense only, not for committing murder or oppressing others.
This principle is reinforced by the value of human life ascribed by God in the Qur’an:
“…if anyone kills a person—unless it is for murder or for spreading corruption in the land—it is as if he has killed all of humanity. And if anyone saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity. Even though Our messengers came to them with clear guidance, many continued to commit transgressions in the land” (Qur’an 5:32).
“…Do not take a life that God has made sacred, except in the course of justice and law. Thus, He commands you so that you may understand” (Qur’an 6:151)
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “The shedding of blood will be the first matter about which judgment will be passed on the Day of Resurrection.”
Condemnation:
More than 500 Muslim scholars have condemned all acts of terrorism, wherever they occur and whoever is responsible, denouncing the harm caused to unarmed civilians and civilian infrastructure in the name of international conflict. Prominent Islamic scholar Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri issued a fatwa urging young Muslims to reject blind extremism, emphasizing that such actions have no place in Islam. He further stated: “The reality is that what they are doing is not martyrdom. These actions are leading them directly to the hellfire.