Distorting Islamic Piousness By Khursheed Ahmed Siddique Jihad is one of the sacred obligations of Islam, just like the five daily prayers, fasting in the month of Ramadhan, giving zakat, and performing Hajj. Unfortunately, this pious concept has been distorted by some, including political leaders, who casually and derogatorily use terms such as “land jihad,” “love jihad,” “thook jihad,” and now “naqal jihad.” Such expressions demean the sanctity of one of Islam’s greatest principles.In Hindu philosophy, the term Dharamyudh; in Christianity, the Holy Crusade; and in Jewish tradition, the Holy War are often equated with Jihad. However, Jihad in Islam carries strict ethical guidelines. It is a struggle in the path of Allah, fought under clear conditions: combatants must face one another directly, without targeting non-combatants — women, children, or the elderly.They are forbidden from destroying homes, habitats, or the natural environment. These rules were laid down by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who ensured that innocent lives were never to be harmed. It is precisely this moral framework that allowed Islam to reach the hearts of people across nations.History records that even a small band of Muslim fighters, through faith and discipline, overcame mighty armies — as in the instance when just sixty Muslims defeated sixty thousand Roman soldiers, suffering barely any losses themselves.In contrast, modern warfare is often marked by deception and indiscriminate violence. Yet, in today’s world, the Palestinian struggle reflects the true spirit of Jihad. A handful of Palestinian fighters, with limited resources, are resisting a nuclear-armed superpower, Israel, equipped with the most advanced weaponry. Their steadfastness is nothing short of extraordinary — a testament to their spirit of sacrifice in the way of Allah.This is the true meaning of Jihad.
Any attempt to mislabel it with derogatory terms is not only misleading but also a distortion of Islamic piousness.
