Re: War
A Muslim:-
To say that war and strife in the way of Allah is merely spiritual and to deny the physical aspects of Jihad is misrepresentation of Islam. To say that Islam is all about gnosis is also a misrepresentation of Islam just as to say that Islam is all about political expansionism is a misrepresentation of Islam. Islam is a perfect balance for the individual and the society which is disturbed whenever one facet of it stressed with a denial of another.
Comment:-
I agree with the general thesis of this article except for the following comment:-
(1) Islam is certainly a balance between pairs of opposites of various kinds. But if someone emphasis one side, then others are bound to counteract it by placing emphasis on the opposite. This, in a confrontational atmosphere, leads to conflicts because each side finds it necessary to defend their own position while attacking the other. It becomes a contest between egos and the purpose is to win rather than arrive at truth. This is true not only about the controversy about Jihad.
In fact, Jihad is striving in the way of Allah for good and against evil whether it is spiritual within oneself, social against crime and injustice and other sources of evil, or armed conflict against oppressors.
(2) It is also a fact there is a human tendency to select that aspect which justifies their own prejudices, self-interest, desires and circumstances and ignore all others. This is a general tendency affecting most human beings, including Muslims, and concerns all subjects not just Jihad.
(3) Conditions of life do change, and what is appropriate or possible at one time may not be so at others, but an entirely different set of actions might be. While the Prophet (saw) was alive the Muslim community had the benefit of his wisdom and guidance. This is no longer the case. Muslims are divided and weak relative to other nations and most do not even understand or practice their religion. There is certainly oppression and injustice in the world and not only against Muslims. But what would be the wisest course to deal with this? Is it not also possible to take actions that are counter-productive, which make things worse or lead to self-destruction? Are there not also ulterior motives behind actions not based on the desire to serve Allah? Certainly courage is required and admired as in the case of Chechins and Palestinians. Without courage and faith nothing can be achieved. But are there a sufficient number of these who also have knowledge and wisdom to deal with a world which is more populous, and inter-dependent and controlled by greater powers than it was in the past.
The Quran, also teaches intelligent actions, patience and endurance. There are also different degrees of striving:- in deeds of various kinds (military, political, economic, educational, cultural etc.), in words if deeds are not possible, and in thoughts and prayer.
There are a variety of opinions as to how Muslims should proceed and there is no general consensus. There is no way of judging between them, and in the absence of a generally recognized Leader of all Muslims, no means of selecting a particular course.
Some Muslims want Revolutions in Muslim countries in order to re-establish Islam. But if the people are not truly Muslim and only have a political aim then this will not work. Without a moral and spiritual regeneration they will create as bad or worse conditions than already exist.
Revolutions always make things worse, not only because an armed opposition has to be defeated but also because the new group of leaders have no practical experience and must learn by painful experience usually by trial and error. The rest of the population must also sober up from the drunkenness of over excitement and become weary of the chaos and try to find more intelligent solutions. This is always harder. Differences of opinion will still arise and may lead to further conflicts because that is the only way people know how to deal with things.
In general, there are only four ways of dealing with differences of opinions and goals:- (1) By war and the defeat of the opponents. (2) By abiding by agreed rules and procedures such as the vote of the majority or the election of persons entrusted with decision making, and the use of courts and judges. (3) By study, investigation and research in order to arrive at objective knowledge or Truth. This also means that there are persons who cultivate the ability to discern Truth. That is, the decision is left to Allah or Nature created by Allah.
The first is primitive but there may be no alternative if primitive people attack or commit injustice. The second is established in the Democracies and may be regarded as a transitional condition. The third is the one that Islam favours. It is being applied today in a limited but increasing way. But this is best achieved by the fourth method.
(4) However, Knowledge is not enough. It must be applied, and applied effectively. Objective thinking requires not only perception but also objective motives and actions. There must be a love of truth for instance, rather than the desire for profit, prestige or power, or loyalty to a firm, one's own ego or some group, cause or prejudice. Knowledge, virtue and ability are inter-dependent. It is not enough to seek and discover knowledge but to apply it for personal development. This should create persons more worthy to control affairs, who also have a sense of responsibility for the development of others. The rest of the community will benefit from their activity. They follow them because the same values, the pursuit of excellence, are induced in them, and they respect those who achieve these values, and for their own benefit. They can be regarded as the Elite and are called the Foremost in the Quran. In fact, there is no progress in any community or nation without the arising of a certain number of such knowledgeable, able and virtuous people
Other Muslims and I pray that, in countries where revolutions have taken place, able and worthy men will arise, wisdom will prevail and things will soon improve. We have hopes.
One hopes also that it becomes clear to leaders that it is impossible to convert or make people understand and adhere to religion by force - in fact, this creates abhorrence to religion and to those who enforce it. Outer conformity to rituals is an empty shell. Spirituality and understanding are inner things and require personal intentions and efforts. Allah judges by these.
Muslim:-
Defending yourself is Islamic.
But suicide bombing in public places is not defense. It is not attack. i.e. It is not jihad i.e. it is not Islamic.
Comment:-
There are certain rules of war.
The Prophet Muhammad (saw) is reported to have said:-
"Set out for Jihad in the name of Allah and for the sake of Allah. Do not lay hands on the old verging on death, on women, children and babes. Do not steal anything from the booty and collect together all that falls to your lot in the battlefield and do good, for Allah loves the virtuous and the pious."
Abu Bakr, the first Caliph who succeeded Muhammad (saw) as Head of the State instructed:-
"Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those that are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives monastic services; leave them alone"
The Prophet Muhammad (saw)prohibited the following:-
Killing of non-combatants, those not physically capable of fighting, the blind, women, minors, monks, hermits, the very old, traders, merchants, contractors etc., uninvolved peasants, servants who accompany their masters if they do not take part in fighting.( Kharaj of Abu Yusuf, Mabsit of Sarakhisiy, Sharhj al siyar al kabir, IV,78-80)
Modern weaponry and methods of war make adherence to these rules almost impossible.
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