Jihad is a broad based and lucid principle, like all other articles of faith, embodied in and necessitated by Islam. In its true letter and spirit Jihad means a concerted endeavor for combating and uprooting evil at all levels of human existence; be it ignorance, poverty, backwardness, cruelty, violence, immoderation, intolerance, usurpation, discrimination, false pride, intransigence, jealousy and greed. The Holy Quran and Sunnah have amply highlighted the concept of Jihad and its place in our lives. For a true believer, Jihad has been the driving force for seeking self-improvement in all spheres of life. However, exploitation of this essential facet of Islam, in Muslim as well as non-Muslim world, has created mis-perceptions and has completely shadowed the real essence of Jihad.
The word Jihad translated into English does not mean “Holy War” as many in the media ignorantly or deliberately claim. These are concocted words, invented by people who want to deliberately convey a wrong image of Islam. The spread of Islam during its early age has also been attributed to Jihad by many westerners Whereas, The Quran is explicit on the freedom of conscience, and it says “There is no compulsion in religion (chapter 2, verse 256)” Muslims, themselves, have also played a major role in defamation of the concept of Jihad and providing causes for many prevailing mis-perceptions. Use of word Jihad to legitimize wars and conquests by many Muslim rulers, when actually they did not merit it, served a serious blow to the correct understanding of Jihad during early era of Islam.
Ever since September 11, 2001 people have began to increasingly hear the word Jihad thrown around in the media. It is often used when discussing violence and terrorism. Based on these mis-perceptions the Jihad is either being practiced wrongly or not at all in present times. It is now responsibility of the Muslims to stand for their own survival and regain the international confidence by rectifying all the perceptions associated with Islam and its practices.
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