The
Western World has misinterpreted Muslim fighting against aggression as being a
Holy War. The truth is that Islam does not acknowledge the term " Holy
War". Islam regards wars as either unjust or just. The word Jihad is
derived form the world juhd which means exerting one's utmost efforts and is
divided into tow forms of efforts, the first of which is the effort made by
one's soul and the second is the effort in fighting a just and righteous war
.The first strenuous effort that is made is titled the Greater Jihad by which
one endeavours to repel all evil, temptation and to purify one's soul from
vices especially the vices of jealousy, envy, and hatred, thereby deserving to
be brought into the Grace of God .
The other form of Jihad is known as
the Lesser Jihad and it means fighting a just and righteous war.
A
righteous just war according to the laws of Islam is a war of defence, the aim
of which is to repel the enemy attack or assault, and the following Quranic
verses permit Muslims to fight the enemy who attacks them::" To those
against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are
wronged." (22/39) Also:"Fight in the cause of God those who fight
you, but do not transgress limits, for God does not love transgressors."
(2/190)
This
Quranic verse proves that despite permission to fight in self-defence, the
Muslims were warned not to go beyond defending themselves to the extent of
transgression. The following Quranic verse permits the Muslims to attack those
who attack them::" If then anyone transgresses the prohibition against
you, transgress likewise against him." (2/194)
Islam's
extreme aversion to fighting and bloodshed is obvious, and fighting in
self-defence is the exception that is permitted.
"Fighting
is prescribed for you and you dislike it." (2/216)
Thus
beginning an attack on others is not permitted in Islam.
Although Jihad means fighting in defence of the faith and the Muslims, this Jihad is not limited to fighting in a battle. It includes Jihad with one's wealth, one's thought or any other means which help repel any attack or assault, in order to protect the Islamic community and the Faith in which they believe.Such a principle is the legitimate right of every nation and has been sanctioned by international agreements in modern times.
If
the Muslims learn that their enemy desires peace and is willing to cease all
forms of aggression, Islam commands the Muslims to agree to their enemy's
request. This is stated in the following Quranic verse::" But if the enemy
incline towards peace, you (also) incline towards peace and trust in
God."(8/61)
Furthermore
Islam calls for peaceful coexistence with others and establishing good will
with them providing that they do not attack the Muslims. The Quranic verses
urge the Muslims to treat people fairly, justly and benevolently:"God
forbids you not with regards to those who do not fight your Faith, nor drive
you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and with them: for God loves those
who are just ." (60/8) Thus the aim of Islam is to spread and establish
peace and tolerance between people and to urge them to cooperate with each
other for the welfare of mankind.
Therefore,
the allegations you find in some international mass media that Islam is a
religion which preaches aggression, extremism, fanaticism and terrorism, are
completely unjustified accusations, which have absolutely no fundament in
Islam. Islam is on the contrary a religion of mercy and justice. We shall
explain this greater detail in our following expositions.