Real concept of Jihad in Islam and its distortion by Extremists

 

Real concept of Jihad in Islam and its distortion by Extremists

In the contemporary era, the term 'Jihad' has become associated with extremism and precisely more with Muslims. The academic literature and media regularised any violent act by a radical Muslim as 'jihad', so much that Muslim jihad and terrorism are perceived as synonyms, often. However, the meaning and interpretation of 'jihad¹ varies and depends on the personal understanding of the individual. Jihad can be any act (nonviolent) aimed at transforming either individual itself or society as a whole. Unlike the erroneous western translation of the term as 'holy War" Jihad means to "struggle", "effort" or "to strive" towards betterment and annihilation of injustice. The holy Quran makes references to wars (harb), physical conflict (qital) and numerous struggles/strivings (jihad).

The western interpretations of the term have diluted its actual essence and importance. That is to say that jihad does not mean fighting and glorification of military virtues and neither is hostility inherent in it. Jihad, in any way, does not endorse violence against civilians neither encourages offensive warfare. In Islamic politics, there are clear precedents, principles and guidelines for just conduct of war. In fact, the Islamic thought prescribes usage of jihad as a defensive strategy in the wake of attacks and threats. Islam does not impose upon Muslims an outright obligation to carry out jihad against those who do not accept Islam as their religion.

Islam and jihad have always been used as tools to attain religious legitimacy and recruitment. Extremist organisations tend to find means for justification of their actions and plan besides looking for references in religious texts and accordingly appropriate those references. They always bank on religious concepts like 'jihad' for generating both 'threat' and the 'solution' to the problem. They claim to be guardians and protectors of religion itself and thereupon of the believers also.

Therefore it is crucial to highlight that there is a persistent instability in the Muslims world coupled with sectarian divisions and numerous other socio-political problems. Furthermore, Muslim nations have witnessed continuous interventions from world's strong powers, either in the name of democracy or human rights or for that matter spreading modernisation. The interferences sometimes resulted in complete failure of state structure (Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, etc.) and degeneration into deadly civil wars leading to the emergence of multiple armed organisations. These organisations have not only damaged but also distorted the original essence of religious concepts like jihad. There is no escape from the fact that from 9/11 till today, ordinary Muslims face an identity crisis and a continuous alienation in societies across the world due to the large spread misapprehensions.