One day, on a planet not unlike our own, a new ‘religion’ was born. The clever chap who invented said religion came up with the pretty catchy brand name of ‘submission’ for his theology and decided on ‘submitter’ as a theonym for his co-religionists.
After crafting his own political treatise, though not without the odd mistake mind, the plucky fellow who went by the eponym of ‘the most praised one’ decided that it was time to leave a legacy for future adherents wishing to adopt his ideocult.
‘The most praised one’ set about raping, pillaging, robbing, terrorising, beheading, pirating and converting his way to an early grave. He had hoped that his biographers would not pay too much attention to his obvious deficiencies, shortcomings and general bloodymindedness, but sadly, he was wrong.
Nevertheless, not only did his companions record his conduct accurately, but unbeknownst to him, in the two centuries following his demise, frank biographers were still committing his dire deeds to paper.
As fate would have it, nearly a millennium and a half after his death, his devotees were still waxing lyrical over his dastardly deeds. They revelled in his cult, decapitated sacrifices for his pagan idol and avoided passing water in his direction. In short, ‘submission’ had risen in popularity beyond even the cult founder’s wildest expectations.
In fact, so revered was said cult founder, that, try as they might, other inhabitants of the planet who viewed the cult and its founder in an irredeemably bad light, just could not get those in the media to tell the truth about the man and his aberration.
Indeed, so hampered were these inhabitants that they took to banging their heads against brick walls in order to express their disapproval.
This brings us to 21st century planet earth, where journalists and other worthies feel it their duty to aid a similar cult, which developed in approximately the same timeframe.
Jerome Taylor, writing in the Independent recently, decided to donate his pennyworth on the topic of the day: the rebranding of ‘jihad fi sabeelillah’ (جهاد في سبيل الله) by the US State Department. He also decided to mention an absurd article in the New York Times by a couple of academics keen to stress the ‘benefits’ of using the correct terminology:
“There’s an interesting little co-authored op-ed in the New York Times about the pitfalls of labelling those people who we tend to call “terrorists” and how we often inadvertently end up playing into our enemy’s hands.
“One of the terms they point to is “jihadi” or “jihadist”. The US State Department recently sent out a memo to all its staff asking them to refrain from using these words when referring to militants or terrorists but the White House, and many others in the media (including myself) continue to use the term.”
He goes on to mention the ‘core’ of the article in the NYT:
“But PW Slinger, a fellow at the Brookings Institute in Washington, and Elina Noor, an academic in Malaysia, say that by doing so we end up lending far more legitimacy to militants than perhaps we want to.”
Really? How so pray tell:
“Their argument is that in Islam “jihad” is thought of as something positive. Far from the violent images it often erroneously conjures in non-Muslim minds, jihad refers to the daily striving or struggle that all Muslims are expected to go through in order to live better lives.”
But that’s it. They’ve got it. Of course. Muslims, and especially those who can read and understand the Qur’an, think that Jihad is positive. I certainly concur there. They’re right. If you were a member of a worldwide cult, whose principal text implores you to exert all your efforts militarily and financially for the ‘cause’ that you follow obediently, then you’d certainly consent to such entreaty.
As for the ‘violent images’ that the use of the Islamic terminology Jihad ‘erroneously conjures’ up ‘in non-Muslim minds’: well, I’m not sure the thousands of Israelis killed and maimed each year would agree with you. In fact, none of the victims of Islam would be too keen on such an assertion. I suspect when they read the word Jihad, or hear it uttered (one can hear it used in its proper context at just about any Cairo mosque on a Friday), then their brains match the new stimuli ‘Jihad’ with previously stored schemata on the subject which complement the lexeme perfectly.
This ‘rebranding’ of Jihad is but another modern example of the Doublespeak and Newspeak so sagaciously prophesied by Mr Orwell. And on the subject, who are THESE people to go against the quintessentially natural development of lexis. Jihad is an English word. It entered the language via Arabic, from where it is borrowed. Even if we did employ it in a different sense or give it an alternative connotation, would that be so wrong? It has happened on thousands of occasions with respect to words borrowed from the Romance languages, and no-one bats an eyelid. We call them ‘false friends’.
Yet, this is a non-sequitur; an irrelevance: Jihad IS used to mean ‘holy militaristic striving’ and to the best of my knowledge is never used to mean ‘struggle’ or ‘strive’ in the everyday sense, even in the mundane language of the mosque. In five years of listening to Arabic being used in the media, in the street and in the mosque, I have never ONCE heard it used in the commonplace, everyday, innocuous, spiritual fashion implied by Mr Taylor, the US State Department or these academics. To say that Jihad used in English or in Arabic connotes something else is to LIE and to commit a gross misrepresentation of the facts.
Elsewhere, Ian ‘got talent…but could do better’ McEwan is also making headlines in a similar vein. He’s accused of ‘despising Islamism’, whatever that is, in an interview for an Italian newspaper. Now, Mr McEwan’s contribution as a writer can be summed up in a few words: waffly, self-important tomes. Still, he fills a void for the Guardianistas (or should that be Independientes?) of our ‘beloved’ establishment. Unlike his contribution to the Islamic terrorism debate, which can be described as disingenuous, to say the least.
McEwan, like the ‘novelista’ he so very is, chooses his words with unparalleled care and consideration: he uses the terms ‘Islamism’ and ‘Islamist’ to capture the ideology and protagonists ‘inspired’ by Islam. To his defence, he’s not alone on that score; the neologism Islamism is often banded about nowadays in textbook Newspeak. But, why not just use the simpler terms ‘Islam’ and ‘Muslim’: they’re straight from the Arabic and encapsulate the full unadulterated meaning of the opinions he was trying to convey.
Back to Master Taylor again:
“Slinger and Noor…”
They sound like a pair of dodgy fertiliser salesmen, but I digress:
“…quite rightly question, then, whether it is a good idea to refer to people we would generally consider our enemies in such favourable terms. By effectively calling them what they want to be called, they argue, we are doing the equivalent of, say, calling Hitler the “leader of the National Socialist Aryan patriots”. In short we’re buying into the propaganda of our foe.”
Indeed. Yes. You’re onto something there. Why not just call anyone anything. In fact, why use a language at all? We could just as easily communicate in grunts; signalling our intentions and nuances with different intonation. It’d be so much simpler:
“It also, they say (and I think this is far more important)…”
Oh yes, far more important, but bollocks nonetheless…
“…”serves to isolate the tens of millions of Muslims who condemn the violence that has been perpetuated in the name of Islam”.”
Yes. Quite right. Those ‘tens of millions’ who don’t read the Qur’an, the Ahadeeth or the Prophet’s biographies, the Sirat. Yes, those ‘tens of millions’ who don’t realise that the profession of faith and the endorsement of the Islamic creed involves the tacit approval of the (pseudo)Prophet’s actions as communicated through the Qur’an and the Ahadeeth. No, those ‘tens of millions’ probably know nothing of the violence, terrorism, paedophilia, rape, murder and all round skulduggery to which they ‘unwittingly’ subscribe.
I’ll grant you that there are, to use Imam Taylor’s (صلى الله عليه و سلم) figures, literally ‘tens of millions’ of ‘bad’ Muslims who: have never read the Qur’an; never read the Ahadeeth; will never read the Dead Paedophile’s biographies; never pray; and most certainly never visit a ‘masjid’. Alhamdulillah! I guess these ‘Muslims’ probably ‘condemn the violence that has been perpetuated in the name of Islam’ that you opine about. But, these people aren’t really Muslims, at least according to the clerics, the Qur’an itself or the Man with a Plan, Muhammad bin Abdullah. Besides, they’re in the minority. The vast majority of Muslims are constrained to subscribe to the violence of which Mullah Taylor writes and do so obediently: they have to, as they’d be apostates if they didn’t.
Take it away Jerome:
“The term they suggest we might want to use instead is “muharib” or “hirabi”. “Hirabah” in Arabic means barbarism or piracy. By describing militants as hirabis we would essentially be taking the moral or theological high ground away from them. “Unlike jihad which grants honour,” they write, “hirabah brings condemnation: it involves unlawful violence and disorder.”
Well, this is either a deliberate case of misinformation and hoodwinking, or the ‘fertiliser salesmen’ are making it up as they go along. I’d opt for the latter: you see, the verb to wage war is Haaraba (حارب) from whence we derive the word for war, Harb (حرب).
Now, I suspect at least one of the ‘fertiliser salesmen’ knows enough Arabic for them to be aware of the two ‘aitches’ (H – ه and ح). One being not phonetically dissimilar to the Standard English equivalent, whilst the other is strongly aspirated. This is where I think there is a (deliberate) case of doublespeak: ‘Muharib’ (محارب) means ‘warrior’, and has been used in Islamic literature since the beginning. It denotes the same idea as in English, but significantly it negates the idea of the ‘cause’ being in ‘Allah’s cause’, i.e. a ‘holy’ warrior (مجاهد). The specious argument that the term Mujahid should not be used, or its English equivalent ‘Jihadist’, is that Muslim terrorists are somehow not ‘fighting in Allah’s cause’ (يجهادون في سبيل الله). Well, I think the Qur’an would disagree, as would the majority if not all of the commentators and biographers of Islam and Muhammad. The very words ‘Jihad in Allah’s Cause’ occur several times in the Qur’an and always in the context of conflict with ‘infidels’.
As for ‘hirabi’ (حرابي), I’m not sure that is even an Arabic word. Perhaps it’s a new coinage. If it is, then it’s a noun to denote someone involved in ‘harb’ or war. Logically then, according to Arabic morphology, ‘hirabah’ (حرابة) would mean a ‘little war’, conflict or violent incursion.
However, I think the deliberate use of these words from the root H R B (ح ر ب) cause further confusion: the words used by Arabs to denote ‘terrorism’ and ‘terrorist’ are Irhab (إرهاب) and Irhabi (إرهابي) respectively. These words originate from a different root, H R B (ه ر ب); it is the ‘English-like’ aitch this time. Moreover, Arabs prefer to use words originating in the root H M J (ه م ج) to encapsulate wanton barbarity and destruction: words like barbarian (همجية), barbarous and barbaric (همجي). There is a deliberate attempt here to mislead, confuse and misdirect through the use of alternatives for actions which can only constitute one thing. Terrorism committed by Muslim terrorists is called Jihad (جهاد), even by the most authoritative Islamic sources.
Of course the poor old Berbers of North Africa don’t get a say in any of this. They will forever be tarnished with the implication of ‘barbarism’, even if they were forced to submit unwillingly to the Moongod and were then deceived into committing acts of ‘barbarity’ in his name.
“Navigating the literal minefield of these topics is never an easy one and no doubt there will always be much disagreement over which terms are suitable and which are not. But regularly questioning the words we do use, particularly those that get picked up and repeated by the media, can only be a good thing, right?”
One cannot but agree. Yet, being ignorant of terminology which, when used in context by Muslims, often has life or death consequences for millions of peace-loving humans is a crime. A hate crime. It’s a pity the silly legislation enacted around the world supposedly contrived to protect freedoms and dignity couldn’t be used to prosecute people who mythologise like this fellow and his cohorts. Myself, and ‘tens of millions’ of others like me wish the Great and the Good would be more candid about Islam, and tell the truth. Instead, people like this chap and the academics of whom he writes continue to trundle out the same tired old logical fallacies; the same lies; the same falsehoods. They wish to deceive, not to inform. That is a hate crime. I’ll call it ‘the linguistic Jihad’. Alas, the death and destruction which it wreaks do not imply words and scraps of paper.
The word Jihad (جهاد) only actually occurs 4 times in the Qur’an itself (9:24, 22:78, 25:52 and 60:1). However, the triliteral root J H D (ج ه د), of which Jihad (a noun) is but one derivative, occurs a further 37 times throughout the Qur’an as a verb or an adjective, with the same core meaning.
All but 10 of the 41 occurrences of the root, were ‘revealed’ in Medina where most of the violence, particularly against the Jews, took place. The root occurs 10 times alone in the repulsively brutal and sadistic, but innocuously and deceivingly entitled chapter ‘At-Tawbah’, which means ‘The Repentance’.
Of the 6 canonical collections of Hadeeth (‘prophetic’ traditions), each one includes a sizeable chapter on Jihad. They contain no less than thousands of references to Jihad in its authentic context, all denoting militaristic striving. In Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim alone, the two most ‘reliable’ collections according to historical data and Muslims alike, there are over one thousand relations of speeches straight from the pseudoProphet’s mouth on Jihad.
The table below lists every J H D root derivative occurrence in the Qur’an. It is clear from the context exactly what Jihad and its core root denotes in Islam’s most trusted source.
Source: The Noble Qur’an – Translated by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan.
|
الكلمة |
اسم السورة |
رقم الآية |
نص الآية |
|
Translation |
Surah name |
Verse number |
Verse text |
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جَاهَدُوا |
البقرة |
218 |
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُواْ وَجَٰهَدُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أُوْلۤـٰئِكَ يَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ |
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The Heffer |
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Verily, those who have believed, and those who have emigrated (for Allâh’s Religion) and have striven hard in the Way of Allâh, all these hope for Allâh’s Mercy. And Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful. |
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جَاهَدُوا |
آل عمران |
142 |
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُواْ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَعْلَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ جَاهَدُواْ مِنكُمْ وَيَعْلَمَ ٱلصَّابِرِينَ |
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The Family of ‘Imraan |
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Do you think that you will enter Paradise before Allâh tests those of you who fought (in His Cause) and (also) tests those who are As-Sâbirin (the patient ones, etc.)? |
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الْمُجَاهِدُون |
النساء |
95 |
لاَّ يَسْتَوِي ٱلْقَٰعِدُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ غَيْرُ أُوْلِي ٱلضَّرَرِ وَٱلْمُجَٰهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُجَٰهِدِينَ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ عَلَى ٱلْقَٰعِدِينَ دَرَجَةً وَكُـلاًّ وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ وَفَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُجَٰهِدِينَ عَلَى ٱلْقَٰعِدِينَ أَجْراً عَظِيماً |
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The Women |
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Not equal are those of the believers who sit (at home), except those who are disabled (by injury or are blind or lame, etc.), and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allâh with their wealth and their lives. Allâh has preferred in grades those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives above those who sit (at home). Unto each, Allâh has promised good (Paradise), but Allâh has preferred those who strive hard and fight, above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward; |
|
المُجَاهِدِينَ |
النساء |
95 |
لاَّ يَسْتَوِي ٱلْقَٰعِدُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ غَيْرُ أُوْلِي ٱلضَّرَرِ وَٱلْمُجَٰهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُجَٰهِدِينَ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ عَلَى ٱلْقَٰعِدِينَ دَرَجَةً وَكُـلاًّ وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ وَفَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُجَٰهِدِينَ عَلَى ٱلْقَٰعِدِينَ أَجْراً عَظِيماً |
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The Women |
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Not equal are those of the believers who sit (at home), except those who are disabled (by injury or are blind or lame, etc.), and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allâh with their wealth and their lives. Allâh has preferred in grades those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives above those who sit (at home). Unto each, Allâh has promised good (Paradise), but Allâh has preferred those who strive hard and fight, above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward; |
|
المُجَاهِدِينَ |
النساء |
95 |
لاَّ يَسْتَوِي ٱلْقَٰعِدُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ غَيْرُ أُوْلِي ٱلضَّرَرِ وَٱلْمُجَٰهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُجَٰهِدِينَ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ عَلَى ٱلْقَٰعِدِينَ دَرَجَةً وَكُـلاًّ وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ وَفَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُجَٰهِدِينَ عَلَى ٱلْقَٰعِدِينَ أَجْراً عَظِيماً |
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The Women |
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Not equal are those of the believers who sit (at home), except those who are disabled (by injury or are blind or lame, etc.), and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allâh with their wealth and their lives. Allâh has preferred in grades those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives above those who sit (at home). Unto each, Allâh has promised good (Paradise), but Allâh has preferred those who strive hard and fight, above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward; |
|
جَاهِدُوا |
المائدة |
35 |
يَا أَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱبْتَغُوۤاْ إِلَيهِ ٱلْوَسِيلَةَ وَجَاهِدُواْ فِي سَبِيلِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ |
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|
The Table |
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O you who believe! Do your duty to Allâh and fear Him. Seek the means of approach to Him, and strive hard in His Cause as much as you can. So that you may be successful |
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جَهْدَ |
المائدة |
53 |
وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ أَهُـۤؤُلاۤءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أَقْسَمُواْ بِٱللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ إِنَّهُمْ لَمَعَكُمْ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فَأَصْبَحُواْ خَاسِرِينَ |
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|
The Table |
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And those who believe will say: “Are these the men (hypocrites) who swore their strongest oaths by Allâh that they were with you (Muslims)?” All that they did has been in vain (because of their hypocrisy), and they have become the losers. |
|
يُجَاهِدُونَ |
المائدة |
54 |
يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ مَن يَرْتَدَّ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِي ٱللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُ أَذِلَّةٍ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَعِزَّةٍ عَلَى ٱلْكَافِرِينَ يُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلاَ يَخَافُونَ لَوْمَةَ لاۤئِمٍ ذٰلِكَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ وَٱللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ |
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|
The Table |
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O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islâm), Allâh will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allâh, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers. That is the Grace of Allâh which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allâh is AllSufficient for His creatures’ needs, AllKnower. |
|
جَهْدَ |
الأنعام |
109 |
وَأَقْسَمُواْ بِٱللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَٰنِهِمْ لَئِن جَآءَتْهُمْ آيَةٌ لَّيُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهَا قُلْ إِنَّمَا ٱلآيَٰتُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا يُشْعِرُكُمْ أَنَّهَآ إِذَا جَآءَتْ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ |
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|
The Cattle |
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And they swear their strongest oaths by Allâh, that if there came to them a sign, they would surely believe therein. Say: “Signs are but with Allâh and what will make you (Muslims) perceive that (even) if it (the sign) came, they will not believe?” |
|
جَاهَدُوا |
الأنفال |
74 |
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَهَاجَرُواْ وَجَٰهَدُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاوَواْ وَّنَصَرُوۤاْ أُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقّاً لَّهُمْ مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ |
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The Spoils of War |
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And those who believed, and emigrated and strove hard in the Cause of Allâh (Al-Jihâd), as well as those who gave (them) asylum and aid; - these are the believers in truth, for them is forgiveness and Rizqun Karîm (a generous provision i.e. Paradise). |
|
جَاهَدُوا |
الأنفال |
75 |
وَٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ مِن بَعْدُ وَهَاجَرُواْ وَجَاهَدُواْ مَعَكُمْ فَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ مِنكُمْ وَأْوْلُواْ ٱلأَرْحَامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِبَعْضٍ فِي كِتَابِ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ |
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|
The Spoils of War |
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And those who believed afterwards, and emigrated and strove hard along with you, (in the Cause of Allâh) they are of you. But kindred by blood are nearer to one another regarding inheritance in the decree ordained by Allâh. Verily, Allâh is the All-Knower of everything. |
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جَاهَدُوا |
التوبة |
16 |
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تُتْرَكُواْ وَلَمَّا يَعْلَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ جَاهَدُواْ مِنكُمْ وَلَمْ يَتَّخِذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلاَ رَسُولِهِ وَلاَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلِيجَةً وَٱللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ |
|
|
The Repentance |
|
Do you think that you shall be left alone while Allâh has not yet tested those among you who have striven hard and fought and have not taken Walîjah [(Batanah - helpers, advisors and consultants from disbelievers, pagans, etc.) giving openly to them their secrets] besides Allâh and His Messenger, and the believers. Allâh is Well-Acquainted with what you do. |
|
جَاهَدَ |
التوبة |
19 |
أَجَعَلْتُمْ سِقَايَةَ ٱلْحَاجِّ وَعِمَارَةَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ كَمَنْ آمَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلآخِرِ وَجَاهَدَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لاَ يَسْتَوُونَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّالِمِينَ |
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|
The Repentance |
|
Do you consider the providing of drinking water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of Al-Masjid-al-Harâm (at Makkah) as equal to the worth of those who believe in Allâh and the Last Day, and strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allâh? They are not equal before Allâh. And Allâh guides not those people who are the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers). |
|
جَاهَدُوا |
التوبة |
20 |
ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَهَاجَرُواْ وَجَاهَدُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَائِزُونَ |
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|
The Repentance |
|
Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) and emigrated and strove hard and fought in Allâh’s Cause with their wealth and their lives are far higher in degree with Allâh. They are the successful. |
|
جِهَادٍ |
التوبة |
24 |
قُلْ إِن كَانَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَانُكُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَالٌ ٱقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَاكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَآ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُمْ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَجِهَادٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ فَتَرَبَّصُواْ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ وَٱللَّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَاسِقِينَ |
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|
The Repentance |
|
Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight … are dearer to you than Allâh and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allâh brings about His Decision (torment). And Allâh guides not the people who are Al-Fâsiqûn (the rebellious, disobedient to Allâh). |
|
جَاهِدُوا |
التوبة |
41 |
ٱنْفِرُواْ خِفَافاً وَثِقَالاً وَجَاهِدُواْ بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَنْفُسِكُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ذٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ |
|
|
The Repentance |
|
March forth, whether you are light (being healthy, young and wealthy) or heavy (being ill, old and poor), strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the Cause of Allâh. This is better for you, if you but knew. |
|
يُجَاهِدُوا |
التوبة |
44 |
لاَ يَسْتَأْذِنُكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلآخِرِ أَن يُجَاهِدُواْ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِٱلْمُتَّقِينَ |
|
|
The Repentance |
|
Those who believe in Allâh and the Last Day would not ask your leave to be exempted from fighting with their properties and their lives, and Allâh is the All-Knower of Al-Muttaqûn (the pious). |
|
جَاهِدِ |
التوبة |
73 |
يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِيُّ جَاهِدِ ٱلْكُفَّارَ وَٱلْمُنَافِقِينَ وَٱغْلُظْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَمَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ |
|
|
The Repentance |
|
O Prophet (Muhammad SAW)! Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell, - and worst indeed is that destination. |
|
جُهْدَهُمْ |
التوبة |
79 |
ٱلَّذِينَ يَلْمِزُونَ ٱلْمُطَّوِّعِينَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي الصَّدَقَاتِ وَالَّذِينَ لاَ يَجِدُونَ إِلاَّ جُهْدَهُمْ فَيَسْخَرُونَ مِنْهُمْ سَخِرَ ٱللَّهُ مِنْهُمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ |
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|
The Repentance |
|
Those who defame such of the believers who give charity (in Allâh’s Cause) voluntarily, and those who could not find to give charity (in Allâh’s Cause) except what is available to them, so they mock at them (believers), Allâh will throw back their mockery on them, and they shall have a painful torment. |
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يُجَاهِدُوا |
التوبة |
81 |
فَرِحَ ٱلْمُخَلَّفُونَ بِمَقْعَدِهِمْ خِلاَفَ رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَرِهُوۤاْ أَن يُجَاهِدُواْ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَالُواْ لاَ تَنفِرُواْ فِي ٱلْحَرِّ قُلْ نَارُ جَهَنَّمَ أَشَدُّ حَرّاً لَّوْ كَانُوا يَفْقَهُونَ |
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|
The Repentance |
|
Those who stayed away (from Tabuk expedition) rejoiced in their staying behind the Messenger of Allâh; they hated to strive and fight with their properties and their lives in the Cause of Allâh, and they said: “March not forth in the heat.” Say: “The Fire of Hell is more intense in heat”, if only they could understand! |
|
جَاهِدُوا |
التوبة |
86 |
وَإِذَآ أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ أَنْ آمِنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَجَاهِدُواْ مَعَ رَسُولِهِ ٱسْتَأْذَنَكَ أُوْلُواْ ٱلطَّوْلِ مِنْهُمْ وَقَالُواْ ذَرْنَا نَكُنْ مَّعَ ٱلْقَاعِدِينَ |
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|
The Repentance |
|
And when a Sûrah (chapter from the Qur’ân) is revealed, enjoining them to believe in Allâh and to strive hard and fight along with His Messenger, the wealthy among them ask your leave to exempt them (from Jihâd) and say, “Leave us (behind), we would be with those who sit (at home).” |
|
جَاهَدُوا |
التوبة |
88 |
لَـٰكِنِ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ مَعَهُ جَاهَدُواْ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ وَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ لَهُمُ ٱلْخَيْرَاتُ وَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ |
|
|
The Repentance |
|
But the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) and those who believed with him (in Islâmic Monotheism) strove hard and fought with their wealth and their lives (in Allâh’s Cause). Such are they for whom are the good things, and it is they who will be successful. |
|
جَهْدَ |
النحل |
38 |
وَأَقْسَمُواْ بِٱللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ لاَ يَبْعَثُ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَمُوتُ بَلَىٰ وَعْداً عَلَيْهِ حَقّاً وَلـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلْنَّاسِ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ |
|
|
The Bees |
|
And they swear by Allâh their strongest oaths, that Allâh will not raise up him who dies. Yes, (He will raise them up), a promise (binding) upon Him in truth, but most of mankind know not. |
|
جَاهَدُوا |
النحل |
110 |
ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُواْ مِن بَعْدِ مَا فُتِنُواْ ثُمَّ جَاهَدُواْ وَصَبَرُواْ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِن بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ |
|
|
The Bees |
|
Then, verily! Your Lord for those who emigrated after they had been put to trials and thereafter strove hard and fought (for the Cause of Allâh) and were patient, verily, your Lord afterward is, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. |
|
جَاهِدُوا |
الحج |
78 |
وَجَاهِدُوا فِي ٱللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ هُوَ ٱجْتَبَاكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي ٱلدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ هُوَ سَمَّاكُمُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ مِن قَبْلُ وَفِي هَـٰذَا لِيَكُونَ ٱلرَّسُولُ شَهِيداً عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُواْ شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ فَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلاَةَ وَآتُواْ ٱلزَّكَـاةَ وَٱعْتَصِمُواْ بِٱللَّهِ هُوَ مَوْلاَكُمْ فَنِعْمَ ٱلْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ ٱلنَّصِيرُ |
|
|
The Pilgrimage |
|
And strive hard in Allâh’s Cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity and with all your efforts that His Name should be superior). He has chosen you (to convey His Message of Islâmic Monotheism to mankind by inviting them to His religion, Islâm), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship, it is the religion of your father Ibrahim (Abraham) (Islâmic Monotheism). It is He (Allâh) Who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Qur’ân), that the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind! So perform AsSalât (Iqamat-as-Salât), give Zakât and hold fast to Allâh [i.e. have confidence in Allâh, and depend upon Him in all your affairs] He is your Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.), what an Excellent Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.) and what an Excellent Helper! |
|
جِهَادِهِ |
الحج |
78 |
وَجَاهِدُوا فِي ٱللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ هُوَ ٱجْتَبَاكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي ٱلدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ هُوَ سَمَّاكُمُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ مِن قَبْلُ وَفِي هَـٰذَا لِيَكُونَ ٱلرَّسُولُ شَهِيداً عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُواْ شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ فَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلاَةَ وَآتُواْ ٱلزَّكَـاةَ وَٱعْتَصِمُواْ بِٱللَّهِ هُوَ مَوْلاَكُمْ فَنِعْمَ ٱلْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ ٱلنَّصِيرُ |
|
|
The Pilgrimage |
|
And strive hard in Allâh’s Cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity and with all your efforts that His Name should be superior). He has chosen you (to convey His Message of Islâmic Monotheism to mankind by inviting them to His religion, Islâm), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship, it is the religion of your father Ibrahim (Abraham) (Islâmic Monotheism). It is He (Allâh) Who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Qur’ân), that the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind! So perform AsSalât (Iqamat-as-Salât), give Zakât and hold fast to Allâh [i.e. have confidence in Allâh, and depend upon Him in all your affairs] He is your Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.), what an Excellent Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.) and what an Excellent Helper! |
|
جَهْدَ |
النور |
53 |
وَأَقْسَمُواْ بِٱللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ لَئِنْ أَمَرْتَهُمْ لَيَخْرُجُنَّ قُل لاَّ تُقْسِمُواْ طَاعَةٌ مَّعْرُوفَةٌ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ |
|
|
The Light |
|
They swear by Allâh their strongest oaths, that if only you would order them, they would leave (their homes for fighting in Allâh’s Cause). Say: “Swear you not; (this) obedience (of yours) is known (to be false). Verily, Allâh knows well what you do.” |
|
جِهَادًا |
الفرقان |
52 |
فَلاَ تُطِعِ ٱلْكَافِرِينَ وَجَاهِدْهُمْ بِهِ جِهَاداً كَبيراً |
|
|
The Criterion |
|
So obey not the disbelievers, but strive against them (by preaching) with the utmost endeavour, with it (the Qur’ân) |
|
جَاهِدْهُم |
الفرقان |
52 |
فَلاَ تُطِعِ ٱلْكَافِرِينَ وَجَاهِدْهُمْ بِهِ جِهَاداً كَبيراً |
|
|
The Criterion |
|
So obey not the disbelievers, but strive against them (by preaching) with the utmost endeavour, with it (the Qur’ân) |
|
يُجَاهِدُ |
العنكبوت |
6 |
وَمَن جَاهَدَ فَإِنَّمَا يُجَاهِدُ لِنَفْسِهِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَنِيٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَالَمِينَ |
|
|
The Spider |
|
And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself. Verily, Allâh is free of all wants from the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinns, and all that exists). |
|
جَاهَدَ |
العنكبوت |
6 |
وَمَن جَاهَدَ فَإِنَّمَا يُجَاهِدُ لِنَفْسِهِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَنِيٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَالَمِينَ |
|
|
The Spider |
|
And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself. Verily, Allâh is free of all wants from the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinns, and all that exists). |
|
جَاهَدَاكَ |
العنكبوت |
8 |
وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلإِنْسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حُسْناً وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ لِتُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلاَ تُطِعْهُمَآ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ |
|
|
The Spider |
|
And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents, but if they strive to make you join with Me (in worship) anything (as a partner) of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do. |
|
جَاهَدُوا |
العنكبوت |
69 |
وَٱلَّذِينَ جَاهَدُواْ فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمَعَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ |
|
|
The Spider |
|
As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allâh’s Religion - Islâmic Monotheism). And verily, Allâh is with the Muhsinûn (good doers).” |
|
جَاهَدَاكَ |
لقمان |
15 |
وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلاَ تُطِعْهُمَا وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِي ٱلدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفاً وَٱتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَيَّ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ |
|
|
Luqmaan |
|
But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do. |
|
جَهْدَ |
فاطر |
42 |
وَأَقْسَمُواْ بِٱللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ لَئِن جَآءَهُمْ نَذِيرٌ لَّيَكُونُنَّ أَهْدَىٰ مِنْ إِحْدَى ٱلأُمَمِ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ نَذِيرٌ مَّا زَادَهُمْ إِلاَّ نُفُوراً |
|
|
The Creator |
|
And they swore by Allâh their most binding oath, that if a warner came to them, they would be more guided than any of the nations (before them), yet when a warner (Muhammad SAW) came to them, it increased in them nothing but flight (from the truth), |
|
المُجَاهِدِينَ |
محمد |
31 |
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ حَتَّىٰ نَعْلَمَ ٱلْمُجَاهِدِينَ مِنكُمْ وَٱلصَّابِرِينَ وَنَبْلُوَاْ أَخْبَارَكُمْ |
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Muhammad |
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And surely, We shall try you till We test those who strive hard (for the Cause of Allâh) and the patient ones, and We shall test your facts (i.e. the one who is a liar, and the one who is truthful). |
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جَاهَدُوا |
الحجرات |
15 |
إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَرْتَابُواْ وَجَاهَدُواْ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أُوْلَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلصَّادِقُونَ |
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The Dwellings |
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Only those are the believers who have believed in Allâh and His Messenger, and afterward doubt not but strive with their wealth and their lives for the Cause of Allâh. Those! They are the truthful. |
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جِهَادًا |
الممتحنة |
1 |
يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تَتَّخِذُواْ عَدُوِّي وَعَدُوَّكُمْ أَوْلِيَآءَ تُلْقُونَ إِلَيْهِمْ بِٱلْمَوَدَّةِ وَقَدْ كَفَرُواْ بِمَا جَآءَكُمْ مِّنَ ٱلْحَقِّ يُخْرِجُونَ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَإِيَّاكُمْ أَن تُؤْمِنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ رَبِّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ خَرَجْتُمْ جِهَاداً فِي سَبِيلِي وَٱبْتِغَآءَ مَرْضَاتِي تُسِرُّونَ إِلَيْهِمْ بِٱلْمَوَدَّةِ وَأَنَاْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَآ أَخْفَيْتُمْ وَمَآ أَعْلَنتُمْ وَمَن يَفْعَلْهُ مِنكُمْ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ سَوَآءَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ |
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The Examined Woman |
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O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies (i.e. disbelievers and polytheists, etc.) as friends, showing affection towards them, while they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism, this Qur’ân, and Muhammad SAW), and have driven out the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) and yourselves (from your homeland) because you believe in Allâh your Lord! If you have come forth to strive in My Cause and to seek My Good Pleasure, (then take not these disbelievers and polytheists, etc., as your friends). You show friendship to them in secret, while I am All-Aware of what you conceal and what you reveal. And whosoever of you (Muslims) does that, then indeed he has gone (far) astray, (away) from the Straight Path. |
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تُجَاهِدُونَ |
الصف |
11 |
تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَتُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ |
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The Rank |
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That you believe in Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad SAW), and that you strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allâh with your wealth and your lives, that will be better for you, if you but know! |
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جَاهِدِ |
التحريم |
9 |
يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِيُّ جَاهِدِ ٱلْكُفَّارَ وَٱلْمُنَافِقِينَ وَٱغْلُظْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَمَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ |
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The Prohibition |
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O Prophet (Muhammad SAW)! Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be severe against them, their abode will be Hell, and worst indeed is that destination. |
Some information on the real meaning of ‘Jihad’ (جهاد), as used by Muslims:
For those that are still unsure and need convincing, included below is a comprehensive listing from the sum total of the most authentic and accurate Islamic sources, including the two most trusted and authentic biographies of the Dead Paedophile (Ibn Ishaq/Ibn Hisham’s Sirat Rasulallah and at-Tabari’s Tarikh al-Rasool wa’l-Malook):
Qur’an 2:216 “Jihad (holy fighting in Allah’s Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims), though you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and like a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you know not.”
Qur’an 4:95 “Not equal are those believers who sit at home and receive no injurious hurt, and those who strive hard, fighting Jihad in Allah’s Cause with their wealth and lives. Allah has granted a rank higher to those who strive hard, fighting Jihad with their wealth and bodies to those who sit. Allah prefers Jihadists who strive hard and fight above those who sit home. He has distinguished his fighters with a huge reward.”
Bukhari:V4B52N44 “A man came to Allah’s Apostle and said, ‘Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad in reward.’ He replied, ‘I do not find such a deed.’”
Bukhari:V1B2N25 “Allah’s Apostle was asked, ‘What is the best deed?’ He replied, ‘To believe in Allah and His Apostle Muhammad.’ The questioner then asked, ‘What is the next best in goodness?’ He replied, ‘To participate in Jihad, religious fighting in Allah’s Cause.’”
Qur’an 33:22 “Among the Believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah and have gone out for Jihad (holy fighting). Some have completed their vow to extreme and have been martyred fighting and dying in His Cause, and some are waiting, prepared for death in battle.”
Bukhari:V4B53N412 “Allah’s Apostle said on the day of the conquest of Mecca, ‘There is no migration now, only Jihad, holy battle. And when you are called for Jihad, you should come out at once.’”
Bukhari:V4B52N311 “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘There is no migration after the Conquest of Mecca, but only Jihad. When you are called by the Muslim ruler for Jihad fighting, you should go forth immediately, responding to the call.’”
Muslim:C28B20N4631 “I heard Muhammad say: ‘I would not stay behind when a raid for Jihad was being mobilized unless it was going to be too hard on the believers. I love that I should be killed in Allah’s Cause; then I should be brought back to life and be killed again.’”
Qur’an 9:111 “Allah has purchased the believers, their lives and their goods. For them is Paradise. They fight in Allah’s Cause, and they slay and are slain; they kill and are killed.”
Qur’an 47:4 “So, when you clash with the unbelieving Infidels in battle (fighting Jihad in Allah’s Cause), smite their necks until you overpower them, killing and wounding many of them. At length, when you have thoroughly subdued them, bind them firmly, making (them) captives. Thereafter either generosity or ransom (them based upon what benefits Islam) until the war lays down its burdens. Thus are you commanded by Allah to continue carrying out Jihad against the unbelieving infidels until they submit to Islam.”
Qur’an 9:91 “There is no blame on those who are old, weak, ill, or who find no resources to spend (on Jihad, holy fighting), if they are sincere (in duty) to Allah and His Messenger.”
Qur’an 9:122 “It is not proper for the Believers to all go forth together to fight Jihad. A troop from every expedition should remain behind when others go to war.”
Bukhari:V4B52N50 “The Prophet said, ‘A single endeavour of fighting in Allah’s Cause is better than the world and whatever is in it.’”
Noble Qur’an 2:190 Footnote: “Jihad is holy fighting in Allah’s Cause with full force of numbers and weaponry. It is given the utmost importance in Islam and is one of its pillars. By Jihad Islam is established, Allah’s Word is made superior (which means only Allah has the right to be worshiped), and Islam is propagated. By abandoning Jihad Islam is destroyed and Muslims fall into an inferior position; their honor is lost, their lands are stolen, their rule and authority vanish. Jihad is an obligatory duty in Islam on every Muslim. He who tries to escape from this duty, or does not fulfill this duty, dies as a hypocrite.”
Bukhari:V4B52N65 “A man came to the Prophet and asked, ‘A man fights for war booty; another fights for fame and a third fights for showing off; which of them fights in Allah’s Cause?’ The Prophet said, ‘He who fights that Allah’s Word, Islam, should be superior, fights in Allah’s Cause.’”
Muslim:C40B20N4676 “Jihad Is Compulsory.”
Bukhari:V4B52N284-5 “When the Divine Inspiration [Qur’an surah]: ‘Those of the believers who sit at home,’ was revealed, Maktum came to the Prophet while he was dictating the verse. ‘O Allah’s Apostle! If I were able, I would take part in Jihad.’ So Allah sent down revelation to His Apostle: ‘…except those who are disabled, blind, or lame.’”
Muslim:C40B20N4676 “Believers who sit home and those who go out for Jihad in Allah’s Cause are not equal.”
Bukhari:V4B52N54 “The Prophet said, ‘Were it not for the believers who do not want to be without me, I would always go forth in army-units setting out for Jihad.’”
Bukhari:V4B52N216 “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Were it not for fear it would be difficult for my followers, I would not have remained behind any army units. No doubt I wish I could fight in Allah’s Cause and be martyred and come to life to be martyred again.’”
Bukhari:V4B52N45 “Someone asked, ‘Allah’s Apostle, who is the best among the people?’ He replied, ‘A believer who strives his utmost in Allah’s Cause with his life and property.’”
Bukhari:V4B52N48 “The people said, ‘Allah’s Apostle! Acquaint the people with the good news.’ He said, ‘Paradise has one hundred grades which Allah has reserved for the Mujahidin who fight in His Cause.’”
Bukhari:V4B52N66 “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Anyone whose feet get covered with dust in Allah’s Cause will not be touched by the Hell Fire.’”
Bukhari:V4B52N137 “The Prophet said, ‘Paradise is for him who holds the reins of his horse to strive in Allah’s Cause with his hair unkempt and feet covered with dust.’”
Bukhari:V4B51N47 “‘What causes you to smile, O Allah’s Apostle?’ He said, ‘Some of my followers who in a dream were presented to me as fighters in Allah’s Cause on board a ship amidst the sea caused me to smile.’”