Jihad or the Globalization of Terror?

Since September 11, the religion of Islam has made the news and is now frequently discussed. One question commonly asked is “why is this religion so violent?” To discuss this issue whether Islam is violent we need to discuss another term of this religion- ‘Jihad’, a proverbial term in present world especially after the 9/11 terrorist attack. Most of the time General Muslims are not be acquainted with the profound meaning of jihad, whereas for the non-Muslims jihad is only a violent instrument of Islamic religion.

What is Jihad or Terrorism

We can find out a handful number of Islamist fundamentalists or terrorists through whom the total Muslim world is represented to the non-Muslims. General people are scared by them. Western leaders have used this issue as a strategy of expansion at the name of war on terror. Powerless Muslim rulers could not raise their accent about the true command of Islam. The so called jihadists are always inhabited in the world of fantasy. They aim to revive the ‘Golden Age’ without trying to cope with the present world or without trying to offer the genuine message of Islam.

Jihad, a Misinterpreted Misunderstood and Misused Idea

The word jihad simply means ‘to try’. A Beirut academic Yusuf Ibish explains two types of jihad based on the Qur’an: greater and lesser jihad. He explains,
The greater jihad is fighting one’s animal tendencies. It is internal than external: striving in the path of God to overcome one’s animal side. Man shares with animals certain characteristics which, if let lose, make him a very dangerous beast. To bring these passion under control, that is what jihad means. The lesser jihad- fighting on behalf of the community, in its defense – is a duty incumbent on a Muslim provided he is attacked [1]

The motivation of Jihad and Extremism

Since September 11, Islam as a religion is now frequently discussed. It is conceived as a violent religion by non Muslims. To discuss this issue whether Islam is violent we need to discuss another term of this religion- ‘Jihad’, a commonly used term in present world especially after the 9/11 terrorist attack. Most of the time, General Muslims are not familiar with the profound meaning of jihad.