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| Jihad:
A Misunderstood Concept from Islam |
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Forced Conversion?
So the
foundation of Jihad is Islamic propagation (da’wah).
The question often asked is whether Islam condones and teaches
the forced and armed conversion of non-Muslims. This is the
image sometimes projected by Western scholars and as any Muslim
scholar will tell you, is seriously flawed. The Qur’an
clearly states “There is no compulsion in religion, the
path of guidance stands out clear from error” [2:256]
and [60:8]. In this verse, the word “rushd” or “path
of guidance” refers to the entire domain of human life,
not just to the rites and theology of Islam.
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| There
is no debate about the fact that pre-Islamic Arabia was a misguided
society dominated by tribalism and a blind obedience to custom.
In contrast, the clarity of Islam and its emphasis on reason
and rational proofs excluded any need to impose it by force.
This verse is a clear indication that the Qur’an is strictly
opposed to the use of compulsion in religious faith. Similarly,
Allah addressed Sayiddina Muhammad r saying, “Remind them,
for you are only one who reminds.” [88:21] Allah addresses
the believers, urging them to obey the injunctions of Islam,
“Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and beware (of evil):
if you do turn back, then know that it is Our Messenger’s
duty to proclaim (the message) in the clearest manner.”
[5:92] However, this verse makes it clear that the Messenger’s
duty is only to proclaim and preach the message; it remains
to each individual to accept and to follow. |
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