Jihad in the Context of Contemporary Terrorism

ABSTRACT Since September 11-2001, Western scholars classified the study of Islamic Jihad as one of the most important disciplines to be examined. They began to review the relevant original sources of Islam in depth. Many efforts were made by those scholars to understand The Quran, holy book of all Muslims, looking for evidence that might support existing links between Islamic Jihad and the contemporary terroristic activities, if any. On the other hand, Muslim scholars and politicians have condemned all patterns of the contemporary terrorism, and have repeatedly confirmed the fact that Islam is a religion of peace, mercy and justice. Muslim scholars routinely provide positive evidence from The Quran and other Islamic sources to support the quality of Islamic teachings and guidelines. However, Muslim scholars and politicians have never attempted to comment or thoroughly elaborate such evidence or Quranic verses related to Jihad and fighting for the Cause of Allah as pointed-out by non-Muslim scholars. The dilemma facing Muslim scholars and politicians is not only to assure the quality of Islamic teachings, or to quote Quranic verses, which are not readily visible in most of the Islamic communities of today. The real dilemma is to provide satisfactory explanations and a uniform concept of Jihad or fighting for the Cause of Allah based on such variable sources. The challenge facing Muslim Scholars is adopting a common understanding on Jihad and Fighting for the Cause of Allah. It is urgent to determine whether Jihad or Fighting for the Cause of Allah is defensive or offensive, and to what extent. Whom are the targets of Jihad and fighting for the Cause of Allah? How and who is responsible in managing Jihad and Fighting Affares? What is the responsibility of the Islamic countries in combating Jihad and Fighting for the Cause of Allah, as far as they are obliged by the international laws? Does Jihad and Fighting for the Cause of Allah constitute a threat to International peace and security? This study provides an outline for the concept of Jihad and Fighting for the Cause of Allah from the perspective of the Muslim scholars and non-Muslim scholars. The intention of this study is inviting, or even provoking Muslim scholars to provide well established defense and come together with a uniform response that might create a favorable environment for all Muslims first, and for the human being second. This study is an attempt to: ¿ Enhance the adoption of a uniform understanding of Islamic Jihad and Fighting for the Cause of Allah and enforce such understanding among the Muslims first ¿ Provide a unanimously acceptable explanation of the Quranic verses related to Jihad and Fighting for the Cause of Allah. ¿ Underline available Quranic and Sunna evidence that might nullify any allegations against Jihad and Fighting non-Muslims in the context of the contemporary thinking of western scholars. ¿ Finally, to determine how far Islamic Jihad and Fighting for the Cause of Allah is a religious worshipping, and does not constitute any form of threat or terror for non-Muslims. By highlighting the controversial opinions of Muslim and non-Muslim scholars, this study may provide grounds to distinguish between Islamic Jihad and contemporary terroristic activities and political violence.