CAN
PEOPLE CHANGE?
In actuality
anyone down any of our city streets can be killers. For if the young are taught
ASAP the difference between right and wrong they can change. Take the Imperial
Japanese Armed Forces of pre-1945 brought up in a distorted self-superior
fashion of
bullies from the top down. From the Meiji Restoration to 1945 the Japanese
Combined Armed Forces held the belief that they would be instantly going to
heaven upon giving their lives in a Bushido Code of Honour, fighting for their god
Emperor. Before this, giving one’s life for the many facets of codified Samurai
Honour or the Shogun for a thousand years held this same belief. Now the Japanese
do not do this kind of lifestyle way of thinking, they have changed. The
Emperor is no longer a god! In fact just this week for the first time since
1945 the Japanese Parliament passed
legislation which allows the military, called the Self-Defense Forces, to
defend the U.S. and other countries if they come under attack, even if it is outside
of Japan.
Opponents say the
conditions for involvement are overly vague, giving future governments too much
leeway to interpret them as they see fit. They also criticize the forced vote
by the ruling bloc in the Japanese Parliament as tyranny by the majority.
Recent Japanese polls
show about 80 percent of Japanese, oppose the bills and the majority believe the
legislation is unconstitutional. They do not want any War or to return to the Bushido
Samurai War like thinking of the past.
The
Daesh (isis), take their belief from a skewed interpretation of the Quran and
though mentioned there in, the belief is only 1,365 years old. So I believe
that the young people that come to Canada as refugees, if shown the proper path
would not become jihadists.
The concept of jihad
is indeed a Quranic one, but sadly, a false and twisted version of this Quranic
concept has been used by terrorists acting in the name of Islam to commit
various terrorist acts. These terrorist acts, which occur all over the world,
aim at the indiscriminate killing of innocent people. They are being undertaken
in the name of “jihad”. These non-Islamic acts have gone a long way towards
distorting the image of Islam.
As with any religious concept, its
correct definition lies in the scripture and not in the interpretation of
humans. Christianity itself has only stopped or paused one War that I know of
and this was the Christmas Truce of 1914. So as a Christian I pray that we on
day act like Christians and “Thou Shall Not Murder!” as written during the
time of Moses.
So to fully understand the
Quranic concept of jihad, though I am a novice but from what I have read, to
understand jihad it is essential to address the following issues:
1- The Quranic definition of the
word jihad
2- What is “The cause of GOD”?
3- Are the ones who explode
themselves in 'suicide bombings' really going to Heaven as they have been led
to believe?
4- Does the concept of a 'holy
war' have Quranic authorisation?
FIRST: The Quranic definition of
the word jihad
The literal definition of the
word jihad is: striving to achieve a goal, while the Quranic definition of the
word is “striving with one’s self and one’s money in the cause of God”.
This Quranic definition is
confirmed in a number of Quranic verses which speak of jihad. The following are
some examples:
“The true believers are those who
believe in GOD and His messenger, then attain the status of having no doubt
whatsoever, and strive (jahadu) with their money and their lives in the
cause of GOD. These are the truthful ones.” 49:15
“Those who believe, and emigrate,
and strive (jahadu) in the cause of GOD with their money and their lives,
are far greater in rank in the sight of GOD. These are the winners.” 9:20
“As for the messenger and those
who believed with him, they eagerly strive (jahadu) with their money and
their lives. These have deserved all the good things; they are the
winners.” 9:88
p.s. the word “jahadu” is the
verb form of the noun “jihad.
SECOND : The cause of GOD
Now that we have established that
jihad means to strive with one’s self and one’s money in the cause of GOD, we
need to determine what is the Quranic meaning of the phrase: “the cause of GOD”?
Striving to uphold the “cause of GOD”
simply means striving to uphold all GOD’s commandments and a strive to condemn
all GOD’s prohibitions. Hence, a jihad in the cause of GOD is a strive to
preach and uphold GOD’s way and God’s Law. Since the word jihad has been
manipulated to advocate violence and the killing of innocent people, it is
necessary to establish, with clear Quranic evidence, that the “cause of GOD” does
not allow unlawful killing or violence.
1- First, we must always be aware of the prime declaration in the Quran
which states that GOD does not advocate sin:
" GOD never advocates sin.
Are you saying about GOD what you do not know?" 7:28
2- Following from that, the Quran states categorically that killing any
innocent soul is a gross sin:
"...... You shall not kill -
GOD has made life sacred - except in the course of justice. These are
His commandments to you, that you may understand." 6:151
"You shall not kill any
person - for GOD has made life sacred - except in the course of justice.
....." 17:33
The prohibition to kill any
innocent soul has always been the law of GOD, in the Quran and in all previous
scripture:
"......, we decreed for the
Children of Israel that anyone who murders any person who had not committed
murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people.
" 5:32
3- GOD does not allow fighting (war) except in the case of self-defence:
"If they leave you alone,
refrain from fighting you, and offer you peace, then GOD gives you no excuse
to fight them" 4:90
"If they resort to peace,
so shall you, and put your trust in GOD. He is the Hearer, the
Omniscient." 8:61
“do not aggress; GOD dislikes the
aggressors.” 5:87
4- GOD commands that there will be no compulsion in religion:
"There shall be no
compulsion in religion ..." 2:256
"You have your religion
and I have mine" 109:6
"Had your LORD willed, all
the people on earth would have believed. Do you want to force the people to
become believers?" 10:99
The commands in the above verses
are very clear. The Quran confirms that belief must be attained voluntarily and
not forcibly. If we are forced into becoming Muslims, there would be no credit
due. The choice must be a voluntary one.
"Proclaim: "This is the
truth from your LORD," then Whoever wills let him believe, and whoever
wills let him disbelieve" 18:29
"You shall remind, for your
mission is to deliver this reminder. You have no power over them" 88:21-22
The message of no compulsion in
religion is once again emphasised in the above Quranic words.
5- Quran advocates pardon, forgiveness and tolerance:
"You shall resort to
pardon, advocate tolerance, and disregard the ignorant" 7:199
"Tell those who believe to forgive
those who do not long for the days of (meeting) GOD. He will fully pay
everyone for whatever they have earned." 45:14
The Quran condemns the killing or
even the persecution of people merely because they embrace a different
religion. The Quran mandates absolute freedom of religion among all people.
Respect and mutual co-existence must be exercised with those of other
religions. The Quran urges Muslims to treat such people kindly and equitably:
"GOD does not enjoin you
from befriending those who do not fight you because of religion, and do not
evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be equitable towards
them. GOD loves the equitable." 60:8
As all the above verses indicate,
the Quran is clear in prohibiting all violence, unlawful killing and also
forcing others into Islam.
Attacks on civilians and on
innocent people around the world by these terrorist groups is a violation of
all the verses quoted above. This is an act that is condemned by all religions
including Islam.
THIRD : Are the ones who explode
themselves in 'suicide bombings' really going to Heaven as they have been led
to believe?
Suicide is a state of disbelief
and loss of faith that is condemned by GOD throughout the Quran. In the Quran, GOD
commands the believers never to despair or lose hope but instead have faith in GOD
and work for a brighter future:
"none despairs of GOD 's
grace except the disbelieving people." 12:87
It is true that many of the youth
who commit suicide bombing live in dire situations and there is no denying of
their suffering and oppression. But there is no justification for breaking GOD's
commandment. Oppression is not a reason to break GOD 's law. On the contrary,
oppression is a good reason to hold tight to these commandments and to show
more faith in GOD. Two wrongs do not make a right.
Sadly, many young people in
Islamic countries who get drafted into one of the terrorist groups are
completely brain washed to believe that when they explode themselves in what is
known as “suicide bombing” that they die as martyrs and are sent directly to heaven!
Young male youth, who are easy
prey for the devious politically motivated preachers, are totally brain washed
into believing that beautiful virgins are waiting for them in Paradise!
Those who kill innocent people in the name of Islam or in the name of GOD, and
who think of themselves as martyrs, should think twice. Their act is
categorically condemned by GOD as per the above verses of the Quran. These
people are disobeying GOD's commandments and instead upholding the fabricated
claims of their teachers/leaders!
“You shall spend in the cause of GOD;
do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction. You shall
be charitable; GOD loves the charitable.” 2:195
“O you who believe, do not
consume each other’s' properties illicitly - only mutually acceptable
transactions are permitted. You shall not kill yourselves. GOD is
Merciful towards you.
“Anyone who commits these
transgressions, maliciously and deliberately, we will condemn him to Hell.
This is easy for GOD to do.” 4:29-30
As per all the Quranic verses
presented, we understand the following:
1- Killing an innocent soul is a
great sin in the sight of GOD
2- Suicide in any form is
condemned by GOD.
3- The Quran does not promise
Paradise to those who commit suicide but rather warn of great retribution.
FOURTH : Is there such a thing as
a “Holy War” in the Quran?
Various terrorist groups portray
“jihad” as a “holy war”. The media in the west has been sucked up into
accommodating or reporting this false interpretation.
In the light of the Quran, there
is no war which is holy; not under any circumstances. In fact, the whole text
of the Quran promotes peace rather than war. The word Islam itself is a
derivative of the word “salaam” which means peace.
There are times, and in specific
circumstances, when the option of war is allowed. This stems from the fact that
the Quran advocates opposition to aggression and oppression. And thus, in such
circumstances war is allowed but only as an act of self-defence, but never as
an act of aggression.
Whenever there is a possibility
to avoid war, then this alternative, as long as it is reasonable, must be
taken.
"You shall prepare for them
all the power you can muster, and all the equipment you can mobilise, that you
may frighten the enemies of GOD, your enemies, as well as others who are not
known to you; GOD knows them. Whatever you spend in the cause of GOD will be
repaid to you generously, without the least injustice. If they resort to
peace, so shall you, and put your trust in GOD. He is the Hearer, the
Omniscient." 8:60-61
"Permission (to fight) is
granted to those who are being persecuted, since injustice has befallen them,
and GOD is certainly able to support them. They were evicted from their homes
unjustly, for no reason other than saying, "Our LORD is GOD." If it
were not for GOD's supporting of some people against others, monasteries,
churches, synagogues, and masjids - where the name of GOD is commemorated
frequently - would have been destroyed. Absolutely, GOD supports those who
support Him. GOD is Powerful, Almighty." 22:39-40
The case made in the Quran for war
and perhaps the most important and often confused as a holy war, is the war “in
the cause of GOD”. Fighting an oppressor or aggressor is fighting against
oppression or aggression, thus it is fighting for justice and therefore in the
cause of GOD.
”You may fight “in the cause of GOD”
against those who attack you, but do not aggress. GOD does not love the
aggressors.” 2:190
Clearly as the above verse
states, fighting in the cause of GOD is a case of fighting an aggressor and
thus is a case of fighting in self - defence.
Fighting oppression “in the cause
of GOD” is also the subject of 4:75
"Those who readily fight in
the cause of GOD are those who forsake this world in favour of the Hereafter.
Whoever fights in the cause of GOD, then gets killed, or attains victory, we
will surely grant him a great recompense. Why should you not fight in the cause
of GOD when weak men, women, and children are imploring: "Our Lord,
deliver us from this community whose people are oppressive, and be You our LORD
and MASTER." 4:74-75
Thus it becomes clear that the
concept of “in the cause of GOD”, is not restricted to the case of fighting a
war “in the cause of GOD”, it is also about striving with one’s self and one’s
money in the cause of GOD. This could be a way to spread the “way of GOD”, or
even giving charity as per the words:
“You shall spend in the cause
of GOD; do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction. You
shall be charitable; GOD loves the charitable.” 2:195
The underlined words confirm the
relationship between spending “in the cause of GOD” and having that money spent
towards charitable causes.
To conclude, it is quite clear
that the word jihad has been badly manipulated by those with political aims,
and in violation of the Quranic truth. The word 'holy' has never been used in
the Quran in connection with war. There simply is no reference anywhere in the
Quran for what they call “holy war”.
There are times when war is
permitted, but as we have seen in all the Quranic words, it is only permitted
as a practise of self-defence, and it is never called a “holy war”. Islam
resolves around the concept of peace:
"If they resort to peace, so
shall you, and put your trust in GOD. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient." 8:61
Maybe
isis could be changed one day as well and stop emulating Kamikaze like attacks,
or marking Christian homes with "N" like the Nazis marked the homes
and businesses of Jews? Then on the other hand Daesh IMO are also the army of
the Anti-Christ but as I am not GOD. Only He can say what should be done with
these people. But JESUS CHRIST begs us to at least try! Amen?
Posting
thoughts of Sir Richard…
JESUS said;
John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the
world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid! Amen…
