Jihad – The True Islamic Concept

4 The Review of Religions – Aug 2004 Islam is Propagated through its Inherent Qualities No true Muslim has ever believed that Islam should be spread by the sword. Islam has always been propagated through its inherent qualities. Those calling themselves Muslims, who seek to spread Islam by means of the sword, are not aware of its inherent qualities and their conduct resembles the conduct of wild beasts. ( Ti ryaq-ul-Qulub, Ruhanı Khaza’in, vol.15, p.167, footnote, 1 9 0 2 ) The Holy Qur’an clearly forbids the use of force for the spread of the faith and directs its propagation through its inherent qualities and the good example of the Muslims. Do not be misled by the notion that in the beginning the Muslims were commanded to take up the sword. That sword was not taken up for the spread of the faith, but in self-defence against the enemies of Islam and for the purpose of establishing peace and security. It was no part of the purpose of taking up the sword to have recourse to coercion in the matter of faith. (Sitarah Qaisariyyah, Ruhanı Khaza’in, vol.15, p.120-121, 1899) The Promised Messiah Wi l l Not Fight Disbelievers with the Sword The commonly held doctrine professed by some of the divines that the Promised Messiah will descend from heaven, and will JIHAD – The True Islamic Concept The Concept of Jihad in Islam has been a subject of great controversy in recent years. The Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at, Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, clearly stated more than one hundred years ago that, according to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), use of force is totally forbidden in matters of faith. Below, we are presenting a few excerpts from his writings. 5The Review of Religions – Aug 2004 JIHAD – The True Islamic Concept fight the disbelievers, and will not accept the poll tax, and will offer only the choice of death or Islam, is utterly false. It is brimful of all types of error and mischief, and is utterly opposed to the Holy Qur’an and is only an invention of the impostors. (Nur-ul-Haq, Ruhanı Khaza’in, vol. 8, p. 67, 1894) Concept of Jihad I have already written books in Urdu, Persian and Arabic, in which I have proved that the popular concept of Jihad prevalent among Muslims, such as the expectation of a bloodthirsty Imam and culti- vation of malice for others, are no more than false notions harboured by short-sighted clerics. Islam, on the contrary, does not allow the use of the sword in religion except in the case of defensive wars, wars that are waged to punish a tyrant, or those which are meant to uphold freedom. The need of a defensive war arises only when the aggression of an adversary threatens one’s life. Except for these three kinds of Jihad per- mitted by the Shari‘ah – Islamic Law – no other kind of war is allowed by Islam in support of religion. To highlight this concept of Jihad, I have distributed books in this country and in Arabia, Syria and Khurasan, etc., at great cost. (Masıh Hindustan Mein, Ruhanı Khaza’in, vol. 15, pp.4-5, 1908) Islam Does Not Permit Taking Up Arms as Rebels It should also be remembered that Islam permits the taking up of the sword only in opposition to people who themselves take it up first, and it permits the slaughter only of those who embark upon slaughter first. It does not lay down that the Muslims, while they are the subjects of a non-Muslim sovereign who deals with them with justice and equity, should take up arms against him as rebels. According to the Holy Qur’an this is the way of the wicked and not of the righteous. (Anjam-e-Atham, Ruhanı Khaza’in, vol. 11, p. 37, 1897) 6 The Review of Religions – Aug 2004 JIHAD – The True Islamic Concept The Promised Messiah Came to Put an End to War The doctrine of Jihad as understood and propagated by the Muslim divines of this age who are called maulvıs is utterly incorrect. It can lead to nothing, except that, by their forceful preaching they would convert common people into wild beasts and would deprive them of all the good qualities of human beings; and so it has happened. I know for certain that the burden of the sins of those people who commit murders through ignorance on account of such preaching, and who are unaware of the reason why Islam had to fight battles in its early stages, lies on the necks of these maulvıs who go on propagating secretly these dangerous doctrines which result in such grievous loss of life… It is written that when the Promised Messiah appears, Jihad by the sword and all fighting for religion will come to an end, as he will not take up the sword or any other earthly weapon. His only instrument will be his supplications, and his only weapon will be his firm determination. He will lay the foundation of peace and will gather the goat and the lion together. His age will be the age of peace and kindliness and human sympathy. Why do these people not reflect upon the fact that thirteen hundred years ago the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had said concerning the Promised Messiah: He will put an end to war? (Government Angrezı Aur Jihad, Ruhanı Khaza’in, vol. 17 pp. 7-8, 1900) Friends! Abandon the thoughts of ‘Jihad’ warfare now; It is now forbidden to go to war for the sake of your faith. The Messiah who is the religious leader of the faith has come; Now is the end of all wars of violence for faith. The light of God is now descending from heavens; It is now futile to issue an edict for battle and fighting. Muhammad (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 7The Review of Religions – Aug 2004 – the Chosen Prophet – had clearly stated that; When the Second Advent of Jesus Christ takes place, he would put a halt to fighting. (Tuhfah-Golarviyah, Ruhani Khaza’in,vol. 17, p. 77, 1902) My dear! The way to support faith is quite different! Not that you draw the sword if someone disagrees! Why do you need to draw the sword to support your faith? What survives on bloodshed cannot be faith. (Tiryaq-ul-Qulub, Ruhani Khaza’in,vol. 15, p.132, 1902) JIHAD – The True Islamic Concept Advertise your business in The Review of Religions and see sales scale to new heights. Existing adverts can be placed and sponsorship on regular features is available in this longest running worldwide Muslim monthly magazine. Rates available on request from the Manager at: The Review of Religions 16 Gresssenhall Road London SW18 5QL