Islam-a religion of Peace:

Islam came at a time when the whole world was doomed in the darkness of ignorance and filth. People did not see anything wrong with snatching the rights of each other. There was no sanctity of life and property. Only the rich had the power and authority while the poor were weak and unable to defend their rights. Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) came as the savior for humanity. His mannerism, strength of character and moral values changed the history of the Arabic world. Hence Islam came into being like a religion of peace and prosperity for all.

Meaning and kinds of Jihad:

The literal meaning of Jihad is to struggle. This struggle can be on an individual level as well as a collective scale. At an individual level, a person is engaged in Jihad when he struggles against his temptations and controls himself from going wayward. Here are different types of Jihad.

• Intellectual Jihad:

It is the struggle done through wisdom and knowledge to spread the word of Allah and fight against the social evils.

• Economic Jihad:

This is the struggle one goes through economically when he helps the poor and deprived people of the society from his own resources in order to improve the well-being of those unfortunate people.

• Physical Jihad:

This is the collective form of Jihad against the oppression of a tyrannical ruler or in case of self-defense from an attack. In Islam, Jihad is the last resort to attain freedom from an oppressor. As we know from the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) he tried his best to preach the teachings of Islam without reacting to the mischief of the pagans of Makkah. He even migrated to Madinah because of their attitude. But when they were not ready to stop their ill acts, Allah ordered the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to engage in battle. It is clearly evident that it was the last resort. The Holy Quran says:

“To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged;- and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid;- (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, “our Lord is Allah”. Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure…” [Al-Qur’an 22:39-40]

Laws of Jihad:

Islam lays rules and principles for even the most trivial matters of life. Jihad is one of the most critical issues. Hence, it was not possible that Allah would not guide the Muslims as to how to conduct a Jihad. First and foremost, the rights of civilians, the safety of their life and property must be ensured. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

“Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors” [Al-Qur’an 2:190]

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) always instructed his followers not to kill women, children, old and the weak. Anybody engaged in any form of worship shall not be killed. Even the trees and animals were forbidden from being harmed in Islamic Jihad.

Another principle governing Jihad is observing justice and refraining from any act of cruelty with the opponents. The prisoners of war are to be treated with dignity and provided with all the necessities of life.

Allah says is the Holy Quran:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion” [Al-Qur’an 2:256]

So it is very clear that there is no possibility of denying religious freedom in Islam, even if you are engaged in Jihad with non-Muslims.

What Islam says about Jihad and Terrorism:

The true concept of Jihad, as laid out by Islam is pretty clear now. On the other hand, Terrorism is arbitrary aggression and brutality targeted towards civilians in order to frighten them whereby achieving political objectives. None of the components of terrorism are similar to that of the Islamic concept of Jihad. So how can Jihad be classified as an act of terrorism? Jihad is confined to the forces of opponents, while Terrorism has no limits. Jihad is declared and fought openly at the battlefield, while terrorism is a cowardly act and done in secrecy. As we just saw, Jihad has certain governing principles while terrorism has no limits and rules.

Conclusion:

Hence it is pretty much evident that Islam strongly condemns any act of terrorism. Jihad and terrorism cannot be linked together. In fact, the two are poles apart.

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