| Birmingham Discussion: Jihad |
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| Saturday, 05 January 2008 | |
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Islam is not a passive religion. It requires active participation. It is the basic responsibility of every Muslim to practice, preach, establish what is good and defend against what is bad. Moreover, it is the religious duty of every Muslim to defend against all forms of tyranny and injustice, however significant or insignificant they may be. If Jihad takes the form of a defensive war it is known as the Lesser Jihad; the Greater Jihad is the battle against one's own ego and desires. Jihad plays a very important role in Islamic ideology, as it encourages a constant struggle in the way of Allah to establish justice and virtue. Thus, We have made you a people justly balanced so you could be witnesses over nations. (2:143) It is every Muslim's duty to ensure the establishment of just and representative governments and to wage jihad for it. This is so injustice and tyranny are eradicated and are replaced with justice and security. The Prophet (peace & blessings upon him) said "The best jihad is that of speaking a word of truth to an unjust ruler". Join us at our branch meeting to discuss what Jihad means to you:
On Sunday 13th January 2008
The Muath Trust Please call: 0870 760 5594 or email: info@mpacuk.org for further information.    Readers have left 4 comments.
Tahira:
Jihad is given so much importance in the Qur'an and yet we never hear our mosques teaching us what it means for us today as British Muslims - just silence into which echoes the voices of extremists who claim jihad means bombing tube trains! MPACUK seem to be the only organisation to discuss jihad in the modern battlefield of politics and media. I wish I lived in Birmingham and could come to this event!
(1)
2008-01-06 19:34:02
dave:
"Moreover, it is the religious duty of every Muslim to defend against all forms of tyranny and injustice, however significant or insignificant they may be."
That's the problem. It leaves huge loopholes of interpretation. "injustice and tyranny" can mean anything depending on who is talking and why. Either way, in the modern era we have mechanisms and bodies that deal with "tyranny and injustice". We don't need religions sticking their noses in. The exploits and exploitation of Jihadists, is proof of this and you do Muslims no favours by trying to whitewash this dangerous part of your faith.
(2)
2008-01-07 19:24:39
peter:
Dave is right. I know some Muslims who believe 9/11 was a great act of jihad, and praised OBL.
MPACUK needs to clarify its definitions or else it may be seen merely as a tilqiyya front for terror.
(3)
2008-01-08 19:23:44
Galaxy:
The term Jihad has been misused and exploited by the media and it has been abused by some muslims. Jihad does not mean "holy war." Jihad is an Arabic word, and its literal meaning is "to strive and exert effort." Sometimes it is used in the spiritual sense implying to strive and make an effort for self-purification from sin and evil. Sometimes it is used in social sense meaning to strive to keep good relations with others and to establish truth, justice and to do charitable deeds.
1. All acts of terrorism targeting the civilians are Haram (forbidden) in Islam. 2. It is Haram (forbidden) for a Muslim to cooperate or associate with any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence. 3. It is the duty of Muslims to cooperate with the law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all civilians. Therefore terrorism, suicide bombings or any other kind of bombings, shootings or violence that target civilians are totally forbidden in Islam and there is no justification for these acts. I have never seen MPACUK advocate Jihad to mean terrorism. They have always promoted Jihad in its true sense to establish truth and do charitable deeds and take a stand against tyranny and oppression in a peaceful way. MPACUK have always been at the forefront in speaking out against those who associate themselves with terrorism and defame Islam. I remember MPACUK condemning such acts as 9/11 and 7/7. And so far as I have seen, being a regular visitor to their website, most of mpacuks work is about engaging Muslims in a peaceful political process and I don’t take kindly to dave implying otherwise especially since he sounds brainwashed by the media and doesn’t seem to know the true meaning of the word ‘jihadist’
(4)
2008-01-09 19:40:37
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Jihad is an Arabic word meaning to 'strive or make effort'. It is difficult to understand the concept of Jihad in its entirety, however, in its broader meaning Jihad can be explained as a continuous struggle and sacrifice by Muslims with their energy, wealth and power.
