A series
of four synchronized suicide attacks shocked America awake and detrimentally affected
global markets. Many lives were lost and the whole population of America opened
their eyes in a way they had never thought to before.
September
11th, 2001 remains the deadliest attack made by terrorists in our
world history. The mystery began to unfold the very next day but due to propaganda
many Americans perceptions were coated by a shade of gray.
One
crazy Baptist begins burning the Qur’an and the image of Baptist doctrine can
be tainted. So many Americans have no idea what being a Muslim means, what type
of spirit pervades through the writings of the Qur’an or what the actual
meaning of Jihad is.
According
to dictionary.com, Jihad is defined “1. (Among Muslims) A war or struggle
against unbelievers. 2. The spiritual struggle within oneself against sin.” Merriam-webster.com “1. A holy war waged on
behalf of Islam as a religious duty; also, a personal struggle in devotion to
Islam especially involving spiritual discipline. 2. A crusade for a principle
of belief.”
The word
Jihad has a first known use of 1869. It is derived from the Arabic characters,
JHD, which mean “to strive”. Other words derived from the same root are effort,
labor and fatigue. It is a beautiful and powerful mantra to be a warrior within
self against sin. It is a valid concept to believe in something so strongly that
you are willing to fight for its existence.
“Essentially
Jihad is an effort to practice religion in the face of oppression and
persecution. The effort may come in fighting the evil in your own heart, or in
standing up to a dictator. Military effort is included but as a last resort,
and not to spread Islam by the sword as the stereotype would have one believe.”
(islam.about.com)
The
concept of Islam is actually quite peace filled. Muslims pray several times per
day, engage in prolonged periods of fasting to tame the physical realm, and are
encouraged to not only be peaceful to other human beings, but to maintain peace
also with animals and even trees. They are strictly commanded not to begin any
hostilities with others. Therefore, conversion by the sword would not be a
concept they would uphold. They fight for their own religious freedom. They
would also never accept a conversion by sword because it would not be genuine
and would not honor the spirit of Islam.
“And did
not Allah check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed
be full of mischief but Allah is full of bounty to all the worlds.” Qur’an
2:251
Muslims
take their honor seriously, they endeavor to be pure, honest and peace filled.
This is certainly not the image they have been portrayed in since the September
11th attacks. Most people believe that the Jihad is a right wing
faction among Muslims and that they are violent and angry. Well, perhaps they
hold a right to be angry, but it would be against all they are committed to if they
began hostilities.
They are
seen as militant, hostile warriors out to murder all who are not of the Muslim
faith. “…far more crucial was the effort (Jihad) to live in a way that God had
intended for human beings.” (Islam, Karen Armstrong, pg. 6)
The
concept of Jihad is one of honor, faith, substance, and the right to protect
your beliefs, which if I remember my American history correctly, is why the
Exodus from Great Britain all those years ago.
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