Real Meaning of Jihad

Jihad does not mean Holy War alone.

Jihad is the most misunderstood and misinterpreted concept of Islam. Jihad means ` to strive', it allows a Muslim to fight in self-defence and in the defence of religion. The rules laid down for combat are strict. Jihad is not about waging wars, it is a Jihad against our `self' and with the evil inside us.

Fighting is permitted only in extreme case when fighting is the last resort. Islam does not allow a Muslim to take the life of another human being. If a person does it then he must pay with his life. No destruction of land, property and crops is allowed. Women, older people and children are not to be touched.

The conduct of Muslims with the war criminals is one of the most shining chapters in the history of mankind.

Today the Christian world including the Pope acknowledge this. It was Christians who waged wars for centuries and the Inquisition is one of the darkest chapters in human history The Pope had expressed regret recently and asked the Muslims and Jews to forget the sins of the Christian World who inflicted wounds on human civilization for years.

It is not that a particular community is bad but that Muslims have been portrayed despite their history of character and righteousness. If a few Muslims today deviate from their path, then this is unjust to put all Muslims in the same category.

War is the last resort and it is permitted under very extreme conditions. Jihad is the struggle for goodness in society, purity within oneself and struggle on battlefield when it becomes imperative for survival.