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The idea of jihad is often misconstrued in Islam. Jihad is commonly misconceived of as violence and terror but in reality is far more subtle and peaceful than it is believed to be. In this article, we set out to reveal the true meaning of jihad in Islam, its definition, and its role in a Muslims life.
The Quran goes ahead to give instructions on legitimate warfare in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 190. "Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors." It is apparent from this verse that involvement in war is only justified to protect; and must be done following moral limits.
The Prophet Muhammad ď·ş said, "The best jihad is the one in which the believer strives against his own soul." (Sahih Muslim). According to this Hadith the essence of jihad would reside in self-improvement as well as upholding moral standards. Personal discipline is as important as battles.
When given a conflict, Muslims are asked to fight in a bid to defend their faith and also fight both the oppressed and those that oppress. Jihad in this form is only permitted after every peaceful way to resolve the matter has been explored.
The Quran, in Surah Al-Hajj, verse 39, states: "Permission to fight has been given to those who are being oppressed." It is obvious that the efforts are aimed at wrongdoers, not at innocent individuals.
Exploring Jihad in Modern Society Nowadays, the term jihad is distorted by extremist groups, who explain their aggressive actions in reasonable ways. It is essential to clarify the real essence of jihad in Islam because its frequent misuse is made by those who promote violence and intolerance.
Jihad genuinely is an endeavor to ensure peace, justice and communally welfare in the society. It encourages positively Muslims to contribute into the society through kindness, generosity and self development. The Quran encourages Muslims to be ambassadors of peace: "And if they incline to peace, then incline to it and trust in Allah." (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:61).
Promoting peace and justice in their communities. By following these guidelines, the Muslims attempt their jihad in the most peaceful and fruitful manner. An effective approach to practice jihad at home is to concentrate on increasing our knowledge of Islam. By using platforms including online Quran academy, you can easily study and fully understand the Quran while at home.
The misapplication of jihad by extremist organizations is in total contradiction to Islamic tenets. Real Jihad lays particular emphasis on peace, justice, and improvement in individual and communal life.
However, it is important to point out that the early Muslims performed warfare only as a last resort and always behaved properly as concerns their conflicts. The early Muslims taught how to guard non-combatants, avoid destruction of plants and restrain from killing animals. From these standards, one can clearly see that jihad was not marked by a violent nature, but by the fact of protecting oneself while having strict moral regulations.
Fundamentally, jihad means personal growth, keeping fairness, and upholding faith in the name of Allah. Jihad does not mean violence or terrorism rather peace and righteousness. Jihad is an Islamic practice that instructs people to overcome their imperfections, serve other beings and practice Islamic values in their daily life.
Jihad as it should be sticks to peace and teaches Muslims to strive for their good and for good in society. It is a lifelong effort to make the world a better place, in line with the teachings of the Quran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad ď·ş.
Spiritual Significance of Jihad
