The recent spate of terror attacks has made me a ponder over a lot of things. Let's start from the basic and finally reach the crux of the attacks and it's entire basis.
First and foremost, it's very important that one understands what exactly is Jihad as most terrorists often like to attribute their deeds with this term.
Contrary to the popular belief, Jihad is not synonymous with "The Holy War". In Arabic, the word jihad is a noun meaning "the struggle." It appears frequently in the Qur'an and common usage is as the idiomatic expression "striving in the way of Allah" or “enjoin good and forbid evil”. Therefore it can mean any kind of effort to promote benefit or to prevent any kind of evil. A person engaged in jihad is called a mujahid, the plural is mujahideen. It is directed against Satan's inducements, aspects of one's own self, or against a visible enemy. The four major categories of jihad that are recognized are
- Jihad against one's self (Jihad al-Nafs)
- Jihad of the tongue (Jihad al-lisan)
- Jihad of the hand (Jihad al-yad)
- Jihad of the sword (Jihad as-sayf).
Islamic military jurisprudence focuses on regulating the conditions and practice of Jihad as-sayf, the only form of warfare permissible under Islamic law-Shari'ah.
The Quran commands Muslims to make a proper declaration of war prior to the commencement of military operations. Thus, surprise attacks are illegal under the Islamic jurisprudence. Prominent Muslim Scholars have always maintained that Jihaad is allowed only under the authority of the State. As quoted by them
The reason for this is that without political sovereignity jihaad becomes fasaad (disorder, chaos, anarchy, etc). How is it possible that a group which does not even have the right to award punishment to a criminal should be given the right to wage war?
Sunni jurists believe that jihad can be declared by a political leader with the sanction of religious Islamic authorities. The Shia jurists, however, hold that only a just spiritual leader can declare jihad and ensure that it is conducted in accordance with the principles of justice.
Even in war time, when jihad is legitimately proclaimed, it might not be necessary for the ordinary Muslim to take up arms and rush to the battlefield. In fact, some modern scholars have cautioned against this approach, arguing that an untrained man, armed with a rifle, is no contest for an enemy operating helicopter gun ships and cruise missiles, and there is no need to sacrifice one’s life in vain. In this case, jihad might be waged by the ordinary Muslim by writing letters to newspapers, attending peaceful demonstrations, giving money to the anti-war cause and prayer. In any event, jihad is not obligatory on non-Muslims living in an Islamic state, women, children, the disabled and old or sick men.
Looking at the Quran, the primary source of Islamic law, we can find verses to the effect that:
1. Conflict should be avoided if possible:
But turn away from them and say “Peace!” (43:89).But if the enemies incline towards peace, do you also incline towards peace. And trust in Allah! For He is the one who hears and knows all things. (8:61) … take not life which Allah has made sacred, except by way of justice and law:thus He commands you that you may learn wisdom. (6:151)
If anyone killed a person not in retaliation for murder or for his spreading evil in the land, it would be as if he killed the whole of mankind. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the whole of mankind (5:32).
2. Permission is given to fight in self defense:
To those against whom war is made, permission is given to fight, because they are wronged; and verily Allah is most powerful for their aid....(22:39-40)
3. Fighting is not to be desired, but taking no action in the face of oppression, may be a worse choice:
Tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter. (2:217)
4. Muslims have a duty to assist other Muslims who are the victims of aggression:
And what is the matter with you that you do not fight in the cause of Allah and for those weak, ill-treated and oppressed among men, women and children whose only cry is: “Our Lord, rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors, and raise for us, from you, one who will protect, and raise for us, from you one who will help” (4:75)
5. It is prohibited to fight those with whom you have a treaty or those who wish to make peace:
Except those who join a group between whom and you there is a treaty (of peace) or those who approach you with hearts restraining them from fighting you as well as fighting their own people. If God had pleased, He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. Therefore if they withdraw from you and fight you not, and send you (guarantees of peace) then God has opened no way for you (to fight them) (4:90).
6. Prisoners of war should be treated well:
Therefore, when you meet the unbelievers (in battle), smite at their necks. At length, when you have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them):thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom. (47:4).
Further guidance is found in the Prophet’s words
On the commencement of war:
"Do not wish for an encounter with the enemy; Pray to Allah to grant you security; but when you (have to) encounter them, exercise patience, and you should know that Paradise is under the shadow of the swords."
Consideration for the soldiers:
"The person mounted on a weak beast is the amir (leader) of the caravan." (That is, the army should move at a pace which would allow the weakest to keep up)
On the conduct of war:
- Do not kill any old person, any child, or any woman.
- Do not kill the monks in monasteries; do not kill the people who are sitting in places of worship.
- Do not attack a wounded person; No prisoner should be put to the sword.
- Do not kill anyone who is tied or in captivity.
- Do not mutilate the corpses of the enemies, and return the corpses after battle.
- Do not destroy the villages and towns.
- Do not spoil the cultivated fields and gardens
- Do not slaughter the cattle.
He further said:
Forbid your army from wreaking havoc for no army wreaks havoc, but that Allah casts fear into their hearts; forbid your army from purloining the booty for surely no army defrauds but that Allah will have them conquered by common foot-soldiers; forbid your army from fornication, for surely no army fornicates but that Allah brings a plague on them.
The Prophet personally conducted many military campaigns, but from all accounts he was a reluctant fighter. Often he tried to settle disputes by non-violent means or sought to bring fighting to an end as soon as possible.
And the terrorist 'Imran Babar' says that he is avenging the brutal harassment faced by Muslims in Palestine, Kashmir & Gujarat. Reading the aforementioned warfare rules and everything is enough to prove that this terrorist is a demented person who in the name of religion committed such a heinous crime.
No religion will ever permit such crimes against humanity. Infact, I might go as far as to tell that terrorism really has no religion. It's the belief and concoction of a sick, inhuman, cold blooded mind.
Even the war in Mahabharath was fought with similar rules. Mixing politics and religion is a fatal combination. The world is meaner and worse than ever with politics being played at every level. Where will one now find a just war being waged??? We humans are out to get each other and will not stop at anything to achieve our means. Rights and wrongs are blurred. Idealism is in shambles. Truth is weak and alone. Lies, deceit, terror, power is the norm of the world. And what do we, the common people, do then? We stay united in diversity and work in our own little ways to stop the terror and channel our anger in the right direction such as the anger of Mumbaikars towards the politicians! So let us all stick together in crisis and not bring religion into it and say a silent prayer for all those brave people who died saving others lives!
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