It has become a fashion internationally to exploit the most misunderstood terms of Islam. The utmost struggle in the way prescribed by the most merciful and the most beneficent God is called ‘Al-Jihad’. The Holy Qur’ān describes:
“As for those who strive in our cause, we shall surely guide them to our ways. Indeed the Almighty is with those who do good.” (Chapter 29 Verse 69)
Nowhere in this verse, the horrible picture of murdering, beheading (killing people by blasting, suicide attacks, rioting or burning alive, etc.) and slaughtering human beings by barbaric means is portrayed. Those who indulge in such acts do not strive for the cause of the Almighty. Striving in the way of the Almighty is the spread of the message of virtuous behaviour and peace for which the religion Al-Islam (meaning eternal peace) was propagated by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) whose beloved conduct won the title ‘the Mercy to Mankind’.
A famous saying of the Prophet says: “The most excellent ‘Jihad’ is to spell out the truth before a tyrant ruler.” The most valuable essence of democracy is considered the right to expression and the right to speech. Our age is considered the prominent Era of Democracy yet many people are under the rule of dictators, autocrats, despots and tyrants (monarchs and the so-called elected presidents). The masses under their ‘yoke’ are still struggling for their survival and salvation.
Another saying of the Prophet elaborates the true spirit behind the concept of Jihad in Islam:
“We are returning from the smaller ‘Jihad’ to practise the biggest Jihad!”
He had been to the northern frontiers of the nascent state of Medina for an expedition during the summer season. He described the painful journey as the smaller Jihad and the purification of the soul as the biggest one since the lust of power, the worldly vested interests, wealth, comfort and fame find pleasure in residing the concupiscence of oneself!
I am not apologetic in bringing out the benevolent aspects of the Jihad. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) took up arms in self-defence and conducted armed expeditions. Yet one would surely be amazed that all the encounters with the worst enemies, during his lifetime, cost only 1012 human lives. His strategies in the battlefields too had the human touch. Minimum bloodshed and maximum gains. He fulfilled his Prophetic mission within a short period of 23 years and brought in the peaceful revolution he was assigned to by the Almighty and made Islam the dominant force of his times.
Comparing the eventful life of the Prophet of Islam vs. the Western Powers with their efforts to dominate the materialistic concept of life over the world, we see that it is a century now their war for dominance is continued amidst colossal loss of life, property and civilization of the human race:
The label of orthodoxy on Islam, the youngest religion among the galaxy of faiths, is rationally incorrect. Nowadays Islamophobia has also grown as a religious duty. The fervour with which Balbir Punj, a leader of the Sangh Parivar, wrote the article “Islamic Orthodoxy a Menace” (New Indian Express, 1 November, 2014) and the sarcastic language he used indicate his mindset.
He has also talked about ‘ISIS’ and the so-called caliphate of Al-Baghadadi. The distinguished scholars of Islam such as Sheikh Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi, Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Omri, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and Maulana Mohammed Khalid Saifullah Rehmani of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board have condemned the activities of the forces behind the self-proclaimed caliphate and its functionaries. Maulana Maudoodi, the foremost thinker and an authority on Islam in modern times, has quoted the opinion of Imam Abu Haneefa (whose ‘Fiqh’ is followed by 90% Muslims of the world) in the matter of the appointment of a caliph:
“About the establishment of the institution of caliphate (or constituting the Islamic Rule) the opinion of Imam Abu Haneefa had categorically stated it illegitimate to assume power forcefully and then take the oath of allegiance of the people under pressure. The genuine caliphate is constituted only through the electoral process conducted by the Islamic oriented gathering of the representatives of the Ummah (Muslim community).” (Tafheemat Vol. 3, p. 345)
The Holy Qur’ān has a clear guideline for the character of an “Islamic Power”:
“(They are) those who, if we establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give regular charity, enjoin the right and forbid wrong: with God rests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs.” (Chapter 12 Verse : 41)
The justification for gaining power of the righteous among the Muslim community is that they establish the right of the Almighty (Regular Prayers) and the right of the people (welfare through establishing the system of regular charity). Enjoying the right and forbidding the wrong is to be the duty of the pious governance (caliphate), which Islam puts before the humanity in general and the Muslim community in particular. This is the criteria on which one should judge those who strive to establish the kingdom of God on earth!
Islam is neither orthodoxy nor modernism, but it is the most favourite way of life sent down by the Almighty. The concept of capital punishments for murder, fornication, adultery, dacoity, sodomy, mutiny, etc. has got double edged purpose. It acts as deterrence for committing crimes in the society and secondly it cleanses the soul of the “criminal”, who becomes absolved of getting any punishment in the life hereafter. Those who do not believe in the Almighty, His final revealed religion and the law of Islam in the matter cast heretic comments.
I am surprised at the remarks of the learned writer in the article referred to above, and advise him to study Islam thoroughly. It is not a Menace but the Nectar for all the ills faced by the world!