There is a connection
between the words we use and how we think about things. With that in my mind, I
would like to share a few brief thoughts about the word jihad, a word that is
often used in negative ways by both Muslims and non-muslims alike. This discussion
isn't meant to be exhaustive, just to inspire our curiosity about the positive
struggle against negativity that this word represents.
1. This
word is often conflated with the word "war". In the Qur'an there is a
completely different word used for "war" which is "harb".
"Harb" isn't necessarily used in a positive sense, in fact, it is a
situation laden with burdens. The Qur'an says: "...until the war (harb)
lays down its burdens..." 47:4 While it may at times be necessary (like
Ukraine), it is not something that is desirable.
2.
"...if they incline to peace, you should also incline to it..." 8:61
This supports the fact that harb is not a desirable state.
3. The word
"war" in English is etymologically related to the word
"worse". Combined with the above two points, I come to the
conclusion, philosophically, that harb is the worst-case scenario, not the
normal state of affairs that we should seek.
4.
According to Ibn Faaris, a famous scholar of Arabic, the etymology the word
"harb" goes back to "salb", which means "to take away,
deprive, or dispossess". (Maqaayis Al-Lughah & The Hans Wehr
Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic) This supports the idea that harb is
burdensome, as 47:4 tells us. It is a situation that constricts and takes things
away, only undertaken in the most extreme situations.
5.
Interestingly, a variation of this word - mihraab - is used in the Qur'an as a
place that a person secludes themselves for worship. For example, the Qur'an
says: "...so the angels called him while he was praying in
al-mihraab..." 3:39 Why is this the case?
6. Perhaps
if there is any harb that is praiseworthy in the Qur’an it is this: the harb
that takes place in the place of seclusion a person takes for themselves called
al-mihraab. All the meanings still apply, it is a place that takes you away,
that constricts the stimuli in your environment so you can focus on meditation.
This is the spiritual harb where a person strives to take away their negative
qualities through prayer, meditation, reflection, and study.
7. The word "jihad", etymologically speaking, has
the original meaning of " ability and difficulty ". (Mufradaat
Alfaadh Al-Qur'an) Therefore, the root word jahada can be translated as
"to endeavor, strive, labor, take pains, put o.s. out; to overwork, overtax,
fatigue, exhaust..." (The Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic)
8. This meaning is supported by the following ayah in which
one of the derivatives of jahada is used in reference to parents trying to get
their children to associate partners with Allah: “… and if they strive hard
with you (jaahadaka) in order that you associates partners with Allah, which
you have no knowledge of, then do not obey them, and accompany them in this
world in a way that is reasonable and good…” 29:8. Obviously this is not a
state of war. They are taking pains or using their ability and undertaking
difficulty to try to convince their child.
9. Therefore, when jihaad is used in the Qur'an it has a very
expansive meaning and its primary meaning is not fighting. When it is used in a
positive sense, like jihaad in the way of Allah, a very beautiful way of
thinking about it is it means to expend one's ability and undertake difficulty
to live life in the way that Allah wants us to, such as is expressed in aayaat
such as: "And we have not sent you except to be a source of mercy to all
the worlds." 21:107
10. "...a source of mercy for all the
worlds..." That type of mercy, kindness, and compassion is what is really
impressive. It is easy to hate everyone, or to be kind to only those we like.
But to be a source or mercy to ALL THE WORLDS, not even just one world! That
requires jihaad indeed. We need to expend our efforts and undergo difficulty in
order to fight against all the negative influences around us and simply be nice
to each other.
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