I keep hearing from Muslim leaders that these “extremist” who are causing all the terror do not represent the Muslim community and how opposed to them they are. If there is a REAL threat to the Islamic faith, it isn’t from the USA, Christians, Jews, etc… It is from these “extremist” Muslims killing innocent women and children and provoking a response. Every time these people do something more Muslims are going to be killed, whether it be from military attacks to hate crimes. So why don't the 90 whatever % of the good Muslims declare JIHAD on these extremist who are using THEIR religion to kill innocent people and potentially destroy their religion, for good.
These terrorists have perverted the word, Jihad, to my understanding. I've learned more about Islam recently than I ever expected to in my life!! Maybe a Muslim gentleman could explain to us what the real meaning of the word is. I believe it more closely resembles a defensive position rather than taking any measures of offense. But I'm not certain. Suffice it to say, there will be many Muslims who will be joined with their Christian and Jewish brothers to eradicate this abomination to God. "We will not tire, we will not falter...we will not fail."
MadMax: I think that Ty_Web is proposing just that --- a defense of their truly peaceful faith from the extreme perverters of it who are rolling back the centuries to a brutal "interpretation" of Islam. If the Taleban can call for jihad on other Muslims and Muslim nations who don't rally to their cause, why can't the truly noble Muslims and Muslim nations do likewise in a truly just cause. Isn't the Taleban essentially like Neo-Nazis or the small sect of terroristic so-called Christians (name?) running our country?
Jihad Strictly speaking, the Arabic word "jihaad" means "struggle." It has a connotation of a holy struggle. One might engage in a personal jihaad to stop smoking or to treat one's friends better or to be a better Muslim. The political meaning of the word jihaad is somewhat stronger. It often refers to some kind of war or battle sanctioned by religious authorities. Some theories of Islamic law require a religious authority such as a Mufti or Imam to issue a fatwa, or an edict laying out the legal basis for the holy war. taken from Arab Culture Glossary more can be found at Islamic Glossary Islam at About.com Muslim-Answers.org
Good point, Ty_Webb. But Muslims declaring "Jihad' on other "extremist" Muslims would be the equivalent of having a relative who's into drugs. You love them, you pray that they get help. But you wouldn't invite them to your home, or call the police on them. And if you did turn them over to the authorities, it would probably be the hardest thing you ever did. I would guess, for a non-"extremist" Muslim point of view, you would pray that these "extremists" would realize that, regardless of the legitimacy of their arguments, terrorism is not the answer. However misguided and distorted their views are, they are still Muslims and brothers (and sisters) of the faith.
I didn't mean to imply that we don't need the help of Arab countries. I just wanted to point out that these jackasses have perverted the faith they claim to defend. I have no doubt that we need and will receive the support of other Arab nations...particularly Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
According to one of my Muslim friends, the term jihad actually means "striving" or "to strive" for something. He says that the term "holy war" is really foreign to most Muslims and is a "Westernized" translation of the word (could someone verify that?). From what I've been told the term actually refers to the struggle to defend the religion and fighting oppressive forces countering the . Obviously this has been twisted by the extremists to include America in those tyrranical and oppressive forces.
Well if the Muslims or anyone thinks this is going to go away by praying, they are extremely naive. There is a time to pray and there is a time to act.
Ty -- while you're correct that there is a time for action, Martin Luther used to say..."I have so many things to do today that I must spend at least 6 hours in prayer."
Not to mention there are those whose belief in their religion (if they have one) is far stronger than others. Some may say this is the best time to pray.
I am not trying to say people should not PRAY. If that is how my post came off, I apologize. I was trying to say, that praying isn't going to make the Bin Laden's of the world go away or stop killing women and children.
An aside on prayer, 'To make God laugh, tell him what you are doing tomorrow the next time you pray.'
I wonder how many victims in The Pentagon or the WTC towers had prayed or were praying that morning of September 11, 2001? One of my favorite axioms: Pray like it depends on God, work like it depends on you.
Well I am a Muslim and it sure as hell wouldnt be hard for me turn in a suspected terrorist. I am a believer in non-violence but these a-holes giving Islam a bad name...well lets just say if I had a freakin gun on me I would not hesitate one bit. All of these terrorist are going straight to hell!!!!!!
