Muslims now a days find out various meaning of Jihad. Some says is a spiritual struggle within oneself against sin. Some describes as Jihad is not a violent concept. Jihad is not a declaration of war against other religions etc etc.
Let’s have a view of Abhuda Ala Maududi on this point . He (25 September 1903 – 22 September 1979), was an Indian-Pakistani scholar, philosopher, jurist, journalist, islamist and imam.
He strove not only to revive Islam as a renewer of the religion, but to propagate “true Islam”.
He believed that politics was essential for Islam and that it was necessary to institute sharia and preserve Islamic culture from what he saw as the evils of secularism, nationalism, and women’s emancipation.
He was the founder of the Jamaat-e-Islami, the largest Islamic organisation in Asia. He and his party are thought to have been the pioneer in politicizing islam and generating support for an Islamic state in Pakistan. They are thought to have helped inspire General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq to introduce “Sharization” to Pakistan.
The word ‘Jihād’ is commonly translated into English as ‘the Holy War’ and for a long while now the word has been interpreted so that it has become synonymous with a ‘mania of religion’.
The word ‘Jihād’ conjures up the vision of a marching band of religious fanatics with savage beards and fiery eyes brandishing drawn swords and attacking the infidels wherever they meet them and
.pressing them under the edge of the sword for the recital of Kalima
What Jihad Really is?: Forcing views on others…
In reality Islam is a revolutionary ideology and programme which seeks to alter the social order of the whole world and rebuild it in conformity with its own tenets and ideals. ‘Muslim’ is the title of that International Revolutionary Party organized by Islam to carry into effect its revolutionary programme.
And ‘Jihād’ refers to that revolutionary struggle and utmost exertion which the Islamic Party brings into play to achieve this objective.
Objective to destroy all states:
Islam wishes to destroy all states and governments anywhere on the face of the earth which are opposed to the ideology and programme of Islam regardless of the country or the Nation which rules it.
The purpose of Islam is to set up a state on the basis of its own ideology and programme, regardless of which nation assumes the role of the standard-bearer of Islam or the rule of which nation is undermined in the process of the establishment of an ideological Islamic State.
Want to rule whole world:
Islam requires the earth—not just a portion, but the whole planet—not because the sovereignty over the earth should be wrested from one nation or several nations and vested in one particular nation. Islam wishes to press into service all forces which can bring about a revolution and a composite term for the use of all these forces is ‘Jihad’.
The Need and Objective of Jihad: Destroy un-Islamic civilizations
Those who affirm faith in Islamic ideology become members of the party of Islam.
In this manner, an International Revolutionary Party is born to which Qur’an gives the title of ‘Hizb Allah’ and which alternatively is known as Islamic Party or the Ummah of Islam’.
As soon as this party is formed, it launches the struggle to obtain the purpose for which it exists. The rationale for its existence is that it should Endeavour to destroy the hegemony of an un-Islamic system and establish in its place the rule of that social and cultural order which regulates life with balanced and humane laws, referred to by the Qur’an with the comprehensive term ‘the
word of God’.
Objectives of Jihadis as explained by Quran:
The Holy Qur’an enunciates only one purpose of the genesis of this party and that is:
“You are the best people, raised for mankind, exhorting good and warding off evil and believing in Allah.” (3: 110)
It is their objective to shatter the myth of the divinity of demi-gods and false deities and reinstate good in place of evil.
(1) “And fight them until there is no persecution and religion is professed for Allah.” (2: 193).)
(2) “If you do not do (that you are enjoined) there will be mischief in the earth and tremendous disorder”. ( 8: 73)
(3) “He is Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, he may make it dominant over all religions, even if the polytheists resent it”. ( 9: 33)
No system other than Islamic is allowed to be in existence :
Hence this party is left with no other choice except to capture State Authority. No party
which believes in the validity and righteousness of its own ideology can live according to its precepts under the rule of a system different from its own.
Extirpate rule of Opposing Ideology
it is impossible for a Muslim to succeed in his intention of observing the Islamic pattern of life under the authority of a non-Islamic system of government. All rules which he considers wrong; all taxes that he deems unlawful; all matters which he believes to be evil; the civilization and way of life which, in his view, are wicked; the education system which seems to him as fatal—all these will be so inexorably imposed on him, his home and his children that evasion will become impossible.
Hence a person or a group of persons are compelled by the innate demand of their faith to
strive for the extirpation of the rule of an opposing ideology and setting up a government which follows the programme and policies of their own faith, for under the authority of a government professing inimical doctrines, that person or group of persons cannot act upon their own belief. If these people evade their duty of actively striving for this end, it clearly implies that they are hypocrites and liars in their faith.
“May Allah forgive you (O Muhammad) Why didst you permitted them (to remain behind) till had become manifest to you those who were truthful and who were liars. Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, will not seek permission (for exemption) from striving with their riches
and their lives. And Allah knows the righteous Only those will seek permission from you (to be exempted) who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day and whose hearts are full of doubts and in their doubts they waver.” (9: 43-45)
In these words, the Qur’an has given a clear and definite decree that the acid test of the true devotion of a party to its convictions is whether or not it expends all its resources of wealth and life in the struggle for installing its faith as the ruling power in the State.
Eliminate rule of un-Islamic system
It must be evident to you from this discussion that the objective of the Islamic ‘ Jihād’ is to eliminate the rule of an un-Islamic system and establish in its stead an Islamic system of state rule. Islam does not intend to confine this revolution to a single state or a few countries; the aim of Islam is to bring about a universal revolution. Although in the initial stages it is incumbent upon members of the party of Islam to carry out a revolution in the State system of the countries to which they belong, but their ultimate objective is no other than to effect a world revolution.
The same conception has been enunciated by the Holy Qur’an in the following words:
“What has happened to you? Why don’t you fight in the way of God in support of men, women and children, whom finding helpless, they have repressed; and who pray, “O God! liberate us
from this habitation which is ruled by tyrants”. (4: 75).
Hence it is imperative for the Muslim Party for reasons of both general welfare of humanity and self-defence that it should not rest content with establishing the Islamic System of Government in one territory alone, but to extend the sway of Islamic System all around as far as its resources can carry it.
Forceful conversation of un Islamic establishments:
The Muslim Party will inevitably extend invitation to the citizens of other countries to embrace the faith which holds promise of true salvation and genuine welfare for them. Even otherwise also if the Muslim Party commands adequate resources it will eliminate un-Islamic Governments and establish the power of Islamic Government in their stead. It is the same policy which was executed by the Holy Prophet (peace of Allah be upon him) and his successor illustrious caliphs (may Allah be pleased with them). Arabia, where the Muslim Party was founded, was the first country which was subjugated and brought under the rule of Islam. Later the Holy Prophet (peace of Allah be upon him) sent invitations to other surrounding states to accept the faith and ideology of Islam.
Historical Evidence of such wars initiated by Mohemmad and Khalifas
When the ruling classes of those countries declined to accept this invitation to adopt the true faith, the Prophet (peace of Allah be upon him) resolved to take military action against them.
The war of Tubuk was the first in the series of military actions. When Hadrat Abu Bakr assumed leadership ofthe Muslim Party after the Prophet have had left for his heavenly homes he launched an invasion of Rome and Iran, which were under the dominance of un-Islamic Governments. Later, Hadrat ‘Umar carried the war to a victorious end.
The citizens of Egypt, Syria, Rome and Iran initially took these military actions as evidence of the imperialist policy of the Arab nation.