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Armel P · 06-05-2007, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sisterX

Silth Lord Great thread...

That was a surprise.

Quote:

I think one must understand what Jihad actually mean and trust me it does not just mean Holy War. Here is something from wikipedia just to give a broad defenition of the term jihad:

'Jihad literally means to "struggle in the way of God" or "to struggle to improve one's self and/or society". It is sometimes referred to as the sixth pillar of Islam, although it occupies no official status as such. Within Islamic jurisprudence, jihad is usually taken to mean military exertion against non-Muslim combatants. In broader usage and interpretation, the term has accrued both violent and non-violent meanings. It can imply striving to live a moral and virtuous life, spreading and defending Islam, and fighting injustice and oppression, among other things. In the languages of non-islamic cultures, the term is usually used to refer to Muslim 'Holy War' or any violent strife invoking Allah.

The primary aim of jihad is not the conversion of non-Muslims to Islam by force, but rather the expansion and defense of the Islamic state. In the classical manuals of Islamic jurisprudence, the rules associated with armed warfare are covered at great length. Such rules include not killing women, children and non-combatants, as well as not damaging cultivated or residential areas. More recently, modern Muslims have tried to re-interpret the Islamic sources, stressing that Jihad is essentially defensive warfare aimed at protecting Muslims and Islam. Although some Islamic scholars have differered on the implementation of Jihad, there is consensus amongst them that the concept of jihad will always include armed struggle against persecution and oppression. Some Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad regarded the inner struggle for faith a greater Jihad than even fighting [by force] in the way of God.'

From what I have been told, what is also implied in the context of Jihad is that Christians and Jews are "Muslim" in that they have surrendered to God which ultimately means that Jihad waged on them makes no sense and goes against the Koran. Also, I've been told that the concept of warring against "non-Muslims" was more aimed at Arabs not willing to convert to Islam since the underlying purpose of the religion was to unite the Arabs.