JIHAD AND SELF-AFFIRMATION IN ISLAM STUDY BETWEEN CONCEPTS AND EFFECTS

Jihad ‘fighting’ is a term mentioned repeatedly in the holy Quran with a wide spectrum of meanings. Jihad is also one of the classical renewed topics in the daily life of Muslims. For, Islam is the religion of Jihad, peace and security and not a religion of submission and surrender; the life of a Muslim is all Jihad whether it is Jihad against the enemies by providing the necessary funds or Jihad by lives in compliance with the verse no.41 of Surah Al-Tawbah, which is interpreted in English as, “Mobilize, light or heavy and strive with your possessions and your lives in the cause of God. That is better for you if you only knew.” The importance of this study is clear in the fact that it touches upon the daily life of all Muslims. Jihad with all its meanings contributes to achieving progress and development of Muslims. It preserves their dignity and reinforces their belief in God. It also refines their values. The problem of the study lies in the observed inclination of scholars of approaching Jihad as fighting per se. Many of the enemies of Islam claim that Jihad is fighting other faiths in order to oppress them or coerce them to enter Islam. Furthermore, many scholars have approached the concept of Jihad and its rules, but few have approached its role in the daily life of Muslims. This study is divided into three sections whereby the first approaches the concept of Jihad and its role in Muslims’ progress and development. The second approaches the types of Jihad in Islam and the third approaches the significance of Jihad and its impact on the Muslim’s values. This is followed by conclusions and recommendations