THE ISLAMIC JIHAD

 By:  LINDA ILHAM BARTO

Journalists are doing the terrorists a favour when they use the word ‘jihad’ in connection with terrorist acts attributed to Muslims.  The terrorists like to think that they are involved in jihad, but the fact is they are committing acts of ‘irhad,’ which is not permissible in Islam. The word ‘jihad’ simply means ‘struggle,’ and there are two types of jihad.  The greater jihad is a personal struggle in which each person battles temptations, spiritual turmoil, and ignorance.  Muslims believe that Satan exists and that he is an enemy to humanity as he is constantly trying to lure people away from the Straight Way of God.  

The lesser jihad is a physical battle or war that must be fought in self-defence or in defence of others victimized by oppression, tyranny, injustice, or any form of assault.  The Qur’ān (the holy book of Islam) allows for military defence but does not allow violent aggression when there has been no attack.  The irhadists (terrorists) involved in unprovoked attacks are fanatics and extremists who do not represent the true spirit of Islam.  It is difficult to convince non-Muslims that Islam is a religion of peace when many so-called Muslims are committing horrible acts of violence, injustice, and human rights abuses in the name of Islam.  Moderate Muslims, however, would like the non-Muslims to know that the terrorists are enemies to the peaceful Muslims as well as to the rest of the world.

The jihad that Muslims face today is the challenge against the misinformation and misconceptions about Islam and Muslims.  Most people in the USA know nothing about Islam except what they hear on the news, which reports only the fanatical things that happen in the name of Islam, with few exceptions.  Americans do not usually hear about the kind acts of charity performed by Muslims and the outreach of Muslims involved in interfaith communications.  Charity and kindness (to people and animals) are important aspects of the Islamic faith.  Muslims believe that salvation is only by God’s grace, but that He will judge people according to their deeds; therefore, faithfully practising Muslims are actively involved in good deeds.

In the Arabic language, the word for ‘God’ is ‘Allah,’ and it is used by Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians as well as by Muslims.  Arabic is closely related to the Hebrew and Aramaic languages.  Jesus spoke Aramaic, and the word he used for ‘God’ was ‘Elah.’  In Hebrew, the most common word for ‘God’ is ‘El,’ and the prolonged, poetic name is ‘Eloah.’

Muslims believe in the God of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Jesus, and all other prophets.  They believe that Muhammad was only a prophet, and they do not worship him or pray to him.  Muslims pray only to God.  They believe that Jesus is a spirit emanating from God but not the incarnation of God.  They also believe that Jesus is God’s Word breathed into the womb of the Virgin Mary, and most Muslims believe in the second coming of Jesus as the Messiah.

The word ‘Muslim’ means ‘one who submits his or her whole self to God.’   The Qur’ān says that Muslims, Christians, Jews, and all others who believe in God and live righteously will be rewarded in Heaven (Surah 2: 62).  If all people of faith could accept this Islamic ideal, perhaps we could all work together to bring about a world of peace, good will, and understanding.

[LINDA BARTO is an author and illustrator in Western North Carolina. She was raised Southern Baptist and converted to moderate Islam in 1999 at the age of 50.  Her husband and son also converted.  She is a decorated veteran of the United States Air Force and served during two wars (Viet Nam and Desert Storm).  She maintains a black belt in martial arts and teaches karate and kickboxing. ]