Holy Ramzan : Fight the forces of evil

[Al-zakir]

I find this article useful and informative. We Muslim must revive the true spirit of Ramazan and fight the negative force around us. Allahu Akbar



Holy Ramzan : Fight the forces of evil

The 17th Ramzan reminds us of the jihad of Badar. It was a defensive fight against infidel aggressors. The Muslims, though very small in number and not sufficiently equipped with arms and ammunition, became victorious in the battle with the help and Grace of Allah.

The holy Quran reveals: "Allah had helped you at Badar, when ye were contemptible little force;…" (Sura Al Imran: Ayat 123)

"Remember, ye implored the assistance of your Lord and He answered you: I will assist you with a thousand of the agels, ranks on ranks." (Sura Anfal: Ayat 9)

'Jihad' means 'to try one's utmost'. It is the use of all energies and resources to defend truth and justice.

The concept of Jihad may be viewed in the context of fasting. Fasting, though physical, is mostly a spiritual endeavour to attain Allah's satisfaction. Muslim life, being a combination of wordly and spiritual struggle for welfare and peace, even in the month of fasting the Muslims under the leadership of the Messenger of Allah encountered the fight, imposed by the unbelievers.

The Muslims had no alternative than to fight against the aggressive forces who were huge in numbers to annihilate them. So fight for the defense of the nation and Faith is not only allowed, but also commanded and made obligatory by the Quran and the Sunnah. The jihad of Badar established this principle.

Those who stress on spiritual aspect of Islam ignoring jihad, are wrong. Those who stress on jihad ignoring spiritual attainment are also wrong. Islam combines struggle against inherent inhuman instincts as well as woldly aggressive forces. The jihad of Badar categorically demonstrated the concept even in the month of Ramzan - the designated time of fasting.

So, there should not be any mis-conception and mis-interpretation and vilification of jihad by any - either from within the (so-called members of) Muslim community or from other alien and vested quarters.

Though Ramzan is the training period of 'zuhd'-spiritual purification, it also presents practical performance of jihad through example of Muslim history. Jihad, 'the exerting of ones power' repelling the enemy and 'struggle to the utmost' of ones capacity is permitted as the last resort for the Muslims to survive as an independent and severeign nation, in case they become the victims of aggression, tryranny and oppression.

The holy Quran permits jihad in the following way: "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you; but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors." (Sura Baqara: Ayat 190).

Thus Jihad is very much a defensive one and it should not be misinterpreted by the ignorant or the vested quarters.

We should know the limitation ordained by Allah here. Jihad is not permitted when the enemy becomes inclined towards peace. Peace is the ultimate goal of Islam.

So the Quran directs the believers: "But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou(also) incline toward peace, and trust in Allaht" (Sura Anfal: Ayat 61

With the background of the jihad of Badar, the Muslims strategy to fight against aggression is to be framed. They are wronged. They are being massacred and their property being demolished in the name of 'War against terror' and 'pre-emptive war' and here the Quran voices for defence; "To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight) because they are wronged;-…" (Sura Al Hajj: Ayat 39)

Of course, jihad in the shape of war is the last resort of the Muslims, while under aggression and oppression. It is a misconception that jihad means only war and is against any non-Muslim. It is a matter of defence, permission to fight against the aggressors in defence and there is warning against transgressing limits.

The humanitarian viewpoint of the holy Quran is: "Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error…" (Sura Baqara: Ayat 256)

The practice of Islam in the age of Rasulullah (SM) and his noble companions show us the path of peace and if jihad is a must somewhere, it is completely defensive against aggression and oppression.

-Abdul Muqit Chowdhury


The New Nation - Internet Edition

 

[A1Kaid]

I find this article useful and informative. We Muslim must revive the true spirit of Ramazan and fight the negative force around us. Allahu Akbar



Holy Ramzan : Fight the forces of evil

The 17th Ramzan reminds us of the jihad of Badar. It was a defensive fight against infidel aggressors. The Muslims, though very small in number and not sufficiently equipped with arms and ammunition, became victorious in the battle with the help and Grace of Allah.

The holy Quran reveals: "Allah had helped you at Badar, when ye were contemptible little force;…" (Sura Al Imran: Ayat 123)

"Remember, ye implored the assistance of your Lord and He answered you: I will assist you with a thousand of the agels, ranks on ranks." (Sura Anfal: Ayat 9)

'Jihad' means 'to try one's utmost'. It is the use of all energies and resources to defend truth and justice.

The concept of Jihad may be viewed in the context of fasting. Fasting, though physical, is mostly a spiritual endeavour to attain Allah's satisfaction. Muslim life, being a combination of wordly and spiritual struggle for welfare and peace, even in the month of fasting the Muslims under the leadership of the Messenger of Allah encountered the fight, imposed by the unbelievers.

The Muslims had no alternative than to fight against the aggressive forces who were huge in numbers to annihilate them. So fight for the defense of the nation and Faith is not only allowed, but also commanded and made obligatory by the Quran and the Sunnah. The jihad of Badar established this principle.

Those who stress on spiritual aspect of Islam ignoring jihad, are wrong. Those who stress on jihad ignoring spiritual attainment are also wrong. Islam combines struggle against inherent inhuman instincts as well as woldly aggressive forces. The jihad of Badar categorically demonstrated the concept even in the month of Ramzan - the designated time of fasting.

So, there should not be any mis-conception and mis-interpretation and vilification of jihad by any - either from within the (so-called members of) Muslim community or from other alien and vested quarters.

Though Ramzan is the training period of 'zuhd'-spiritual purification, it also presents practical performance of jihad through example of Muslim history. Jihad, 'the exerting of ones power' repelling the enemy and 'struggle to the utmost' of ones capacity is permitted as the last resort for the Muslims to survive as an independent and severeign nation, in case they become the victims of aggression, tryranny and oppression.

The holy Quran permits jihad in the following way: "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you; but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors." (Sura Baqara: Ayat 190).

Thus Jihad is very much a defensive one and it should not be misinterpreted by the ignorant or the vested quarters.

We should know the limitation ordained by Allah here. Jihad is not permitted when the enemy becomes inclined towards peace. Peace is the ultimate goal of Islam.

So the Quran directs the believers: "But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou(also) incline toward peace, and trust in Allaht" (Sura Anfal: Ayat 61

With the background of the jihad of Badar, the Muslims strategy to fight against aggression is to be framed. They are wronged. They are being massacred and their property being demolished in the name of 'War against terror' and 'pre-emptive war' and here the Quran voices for defence; "To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight) because they are wronged;-…" (Sura Al Hajj: Ayat 39)

Of course, jihad in the shape of war is the last resort of the Muslims, while under aggression and oppression. It is a misconception that jihad means only war and is against any non-Muslim. It is a matter of defence, permission to fight against the aggressors in defence and there is warning against transgressing limits.

The humanitarian viewpoint of the holy Quran is: "Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error…" (Sura Baqara: Ayat 256)

The practice of Islam in the age of Rasulullah (SM) and his noble companions show us the path of peace and if jihad is a must somewhere, it is completely defensive against aggression and oppression.

-Abdul Muqit Chowdhury


The New Nation - Internet Edition

Let me make this clear, Jihaad is not merely defensive it is absolutely offensive as well. Meaning you may initiate the situation and conflict with the pursuit of establishing Allah's supremacy and Islam.


If you wish to call Islamic Jihad merely a 'defensive' movement or practice, then we must change the meaning of 'defense' to something more expansionist and a wider context such as all things (especially civilizations and people) resisting and disobedient to Allah and challenging Islam's supremacy. If you understand the nature of Islam and it's goal to free man from the tyranny and control and servitude of man into the freedom of Allah, then perhaps one can suggest Jihad is defensive in that matter...

Besides that, misguided Muslims who think Jihad is something that Muslims can and must only engage in when attacked first or in a defensive context are wrong.

Let me explain why...

If Islamic Jihaad was merely defensive the historical implications of such are ridiculous.


Would any learned Muslim seriously suggest the Caliph Abu Bakr, Caliph Umar, Caliph Uthman, and Gen. Khalid ibn Al-Walid would be satisfied if the Byzantines had not attacked and waged war in the Arabian peninsula? Preventing them from waging their 'defensive' Jihad and spreading Islam across the land, absolutely not.

This condition that Jihad is merely 'defensive' is incorrect, also it is a major 'disservice' to mankind, as Allah wills Jihad. If we understand this particular aspect of Islam and that is to free mankind from man's servitude into the freedom of Allah and Allah's just laws, then we also see a 'defense' reason is not required to wage Jihad...



Let's look at the Osman/Ottoman Caliphate conquest.

The Ottomans for 600+ years waged a mighty and grand Jihad supported by Allah in Europe, Middle East, Caucuses, and North Africa. With splendid and mind blowing victories even the capture of the great city of Istanbul.

Sultan Osman did not wait around to be attacked, he did the right thing under Allah's permission to wage Jihad and to conquer in the name of Islam, and to establish freedom, justice, and prosperity onto the parts of the Earth that came under his rule...The same goes for his successors (the other great Sultans that came after him)...

The practice of Islam in the age of Rasulullah (SM) and his noble companions show us the path of peace and if jihad is a must somewhere, it is completely defensive against aggression and oppression.

The author is misguided and ignorant, he is no expert on Islamic history...Islam is a practical religion in all affairs of life and beyond this includes struggle and warfare it does not require us to merely fight defensively, that is unpractical, weak, foolish, and dangerous...


Al-Jihaad Zindabad!