In a few words, neither is Jihad terrorism, nor are the World Trade Centre kind of attacks Jihad. (Demystifying Jihad,
May 18, 2004, Page 14, top highlighted text).
“The religious leadership failed to realize that using Islam for votes will only intensify sectarian feuds, for each religious party is forced
to make its own version of Islam different from that of its rivals.
The biggest misfortune to have befallen on modern Islamic
movements is that, faced with defeat or suppression in electoral
process, they adopted the path of violence. The use of guerrilla
warfare and other forms of violence by Islamic revivalists constitutes a major blunder in methodology on their part, which has proved counterproductive.
Because of the above-mentioned two deviations from the
methodology of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),7 modern Islamic
revivalism has so far failed to reach its goal. As a result, a genuine
Islamic system has not taken roots anywhere in today’s Muslim world so far.” ( Book: End of Democracy, 2003, Conclusion: Page 218).
As claimed by “moderates,” we have yet to hear from any “extremist” Muslim that military “Jihad is the first option andIjthihad is not an option at all.”32 The difference is in how we define“militants.” The problem is not that other Muslims do not reject
the indiscriminate violence to achieve political ends; it is that they
reject it both from the Muslims as well as from the warmongers
sitting in Western capitals. Whereas the extremists in Bush and
Blair administrations and pseudo-intellectuals, such as Daniel Pipes,
expect all “moderates” Muslims to do one job: criticize such elements
among Muslims but support and justify US aggression throughout the world e.g. Far East Asia, South and Central America, Middle East, etc.
| In a few words, neither is Jihad terrorism, nor are the World Trade Centre kind of attacks Jihad. |
The reality is that there are very specific and
clear principles for engaging in war for Muslims. A study of these Islamic principles shows that there is no place for the kind of jingoistic policy and murderous acts. (Book: End of Democracy, 2003, Page 229).
Avoiding violence and bloodshed is the basic principle of the Islamic faith and every Muslim is required to stand firm against
repression, violence and terrorism as an Islamic obligation. In practical terms, more Muslims die from terrorist attacks than any
other group and unnecessary violence will never lead to the establishment of Islamic State. (Book: End of Democracy, Page 232).
Those who perpetrate violence in the name of Islam distort and
abuse the texts in the name of their cause. At the same time,
we must not forget that the texts themselves have nothing to do with the ongoing chain of violence and therefore, are not to be
blamed and should not be the subject of scrutiny by anyone
who qualifies himself as a “moderate.” (Book: End of Democracy, page 232 and 233).
| So Islam does not say that others must be forced into Islam or a way of life should be imposed upon them…Islam says that whoever wants to believe will believe, and whoever does not want to, will not. |
Despite Muslims’ unanimous opposition to terrorism, religious intoleranceand the oppression of women, these remain the most prevalent images of the Muslim faith throughout the Western world. Such popular misconceptions about Islam and Islamic movements have
made it particularly difficult to challenge the US and its allies’ unjust policies. (Book: End of Democracy, page 243).
The proposed international “truth and reconciliation” commissions
need to be independent and without any power, with anyone,
to veto the truth. There are too many good Muslims and good
Americans, that would hate to see an escalation of war between
people who should be best partners in peace, except for the acts of
a few terrorists, dishonest leaders and broken promises on all sides.
Unfortunately, any future acts of terrorism against the people of the United States or the continued unequal treatment, occupation, repression and killing of Muslims around the world will not lead to
greater understanding of the problem or justice for people who do
have genuine grievances. The US cannot make the world a better
place by cutting down all the laws while crusading against the devil in others. All of us need to honestly face the mirror, no matter how hard it may be and how long it may take. (Book: War on Islam, Conclusion: page 252).
Here we must keep in mind that the Qur’anic injunctions about Jihad do not mean that Muslims are to drop everything and needlessly engage in fighting with non-Muslims. (Demystifying Jihad,
May 18, 2004,
Page 7, column 2, para 3).
There are some conditions for the legality of Jihad. Amongst them, for example, are the following: the other side intends to attack Muslims; it creates a barrier against the call of Islam, meaning
that it negates the freedom of that call. (Demystifying Jihad,
May 18, 2004,Page 8, Column 1, second para).
A full understanding of the requirements of a Muslim leads us to the conclusion that Jihad is not a vague, detached or isolated concept of needless war and violence.
Islam does not give permission to go to war based on conjecture, vengeance, lies and deception as we witness in the present day world. Nor is war, killings and victory on earth the ultimate objectives.
(Demystifying Jihad,
May 18, 2004, Page 11, top, highlighted text).
What we have learnt so far is that the Qur’an has fundamentally defined Jihad not as a war of aggression or of superiority or of authority, but of resistance against aggression – for the protection of humanity, not its destruction.(Demystifying Jihad,
May 18, 2004, Page 10, highlighted box on the left).
Permission to fight has been given to those whom others have come to fight. Which means: “OMuslims, now that the polytheist rejecters have come to fight against you, fight them.”In reality this is a state of defense. This permission is given so that the oppressed must defend themselves. (Demystifying Jihad,
May 18, 2004, Page 11, highlighted text on the right.)
Permission to fight has been given to those whom others have come to fight. Which means: “O Muslims, now that the polytheist rejecters have come to fight against you, fight them.” In reality this is a state of defense - a state where believers are made to fight against injustice. (Demystifying Jihad,
May 18, 2004, Page 11, left column, bottom).
What we have learnt so far is that the Qur’an has fundamentally defined Jihad not as a war of aggression or of superiority or of authority, but of resistance against aggression - for the protection of humanity, not its destruction. (Demystifying Jihad,
May 18, 2004, Page 12, left column, first para.)
No one must be obliged to accept the religion of Islam, let alone imposing it on others by force. (Demystifying Jihad,
May 18, 2004, Page 12, left side, highted text).
So Islam does not say that others must be forced into Islam or a way of life should be imposed upon them…Islam says that whoever wants to believe will believe, and whoever does not want to, will not. There is also this verse: “And if your Rabb willed all the earth would have believed, in total, will you then compel them to be believers.” (10:99) Jihad is, thus, not for forcing non-Muslims into believing Islam or to imposing a way of life on non-Muslims. Allah told Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):“O Prophet! it is as if youintend to kill yourself because they have not believed as if you want to destroy yourself. Do not be so full of grief for their sakes. We, with Our Power of Creation and Might, if we wanted to force the people to belief we could easily have done so. If we willed it, we could send down the sky a sign to overshadow their neck, for them to be submissive.” (26:4) (Demystifying Jihad, May 18, 2004, Page 12, left column).
What is the next step for Muslims
and non-Muslims who are not interested in wars and domination, and
who are helpless before the might of the oppressors, but want change
nevertheless? The truth-tellers’ strategy of exposing the facts rightly began
by focusing on the atrocities of the United States and its allies over
the last century. Now a longer-term approach is needed, one that will
serve human interests and human values, and one that will ensure equal
opportunity for all to freely live their own way of life. |
Leaving this point aside, however, we see that in the basic definition of Jihad, there is no difference of opinion and all the researchers are agreed that Jihad and war must be for the sake of defense. The
differences of opinion that do exist are minor ones, and concern the question of what it is that has to be defended.
The sacredness of fighting in defense lies not in defending one’s self, but in defending “the right.” Defense of the rights of humanity is, thus, holier. For example, freedom is reckoned as one of the
sacred values of humanity which is not limited to an individual or nation
The Qur’an says, religion cannot be imposed because faith has to enter their hearts. That is what a sword cannot do. To the Bedouin Arabs, who had recently accepted Islam without having perceived the nature of its essence and without Islam having influenced their hearts, who were claiming to have “faith,” the Qur’an gave this reply:
“The Arabs say “we havefaith,” tell them: “you do notyet have faith, say “we haveaccepted Islam” for faith hasnot yet entered your hearts.” (49:14)
If someone claims that the Qur’an or Sunnah incite violence for imposing Islam, it is absolutely ridiculous because the simple logic mentioned above pales by comparison to the wisdom displayed by the Qur’an and the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). (Demystifying Jihad,
May 18, 2004, Page 14, Right column).
Furthermore, Islam does not say Muslims must fight to impose Islam, for Tawheed is something
that cannot be imposed because it is faith. Faith is built on discernment and choice, and discernment is not influenced by force. The same applies to choice. “La ikraha fid-din” — there is no compulsion in Deen — means Muslims must not compel anyone for faith is not something that can be forced upon someone. (Demystifying Jihad,
May 18, 2004, Page 15, Conlcusion. Second last para).
This book is dedicated to all those who are suffering undermodern day fascism, and believe that both Muslims and non-
Muslims are equal human being with equal rights to freedom,liberty and self-rule. It is for those who reject any way of life
imposed upon them by force. Book: After Fascism, see Dedication of the Book.
What is the next step for Muslims
and non-Muslims who are not interested in wars and domination, and
who are helpless before the might of the oppressors, but want change
nevertheless? The truth-tellers’ strategy of exposing the facts rightly began
by focusing on the atrocities of the United States and its allies over
the last century. Now a longer-term approach is needed, one that will
serve human interests and human values, and one that will ensure equal
opportunity for all to freely live their own way of life. ( Book: After Fascism, Page 12 para 1)
Where are the Muslim and non-Muslim majority worlds
heading? Does the ultimate tragedy of human history await us, or is
there some light at the end of the tunnel? ( Book: After Fascism, Page 13, 2nd para).
The good news is that besides those individuals waging wars to impose a convoluted
form of democracy on the Muslim world, there are people—mostly
non-Muslims—who are struggling as a counter force. They expose
the truth that would provide a viable collective solution for bringing
the values of liberty and freedom into the structure of the state. This
struggle on the part of reformers in the United States and elsewhere is
the way of a future, pregnant with the possibility of Muslim success in
their struggle for self-determination and self-rule. ( Book: After Fascism, Page 14 firs para).
Besides, both Muslims and non-Muslims struggling against the
fascism of our age need to demystify the myths, which have not only
pitted Muslims and non-Muslims against each other, but also Muslims
against Muslims and vice versa. (Book: After Fascism, Page 14 last para).
Muslims and non-Muslims struggling for liberty and
freedom, nevertheless, can reduce the impact of all these consequences
with their struggle for synthesis rather than giving up or joining the
fascists’ struggle for supremacy. (Book: After Fascism, Page 241, para 1).
Muslims and non-Muslims need a mutual understanding to join in a common struggle to
avoid unnecessary losses as the totalitarian forces see power and dominance
slip out of their hands and go ever more out of control. (Book The Ultimate Tragedy, Preface, second para).