J i h a d

[Pitcharan]

I am half way thro my upcoming booklet titled Jihad. I invite views, ideas and suggestions from members to enrich my work that it may effectively serve the purpose of amending life and building faith. I give below the PREFACE and INTRODUCTION of my upcoming booklet in this regard and appeal once again to all members to help me with enriching posts.

J I H A D

PREFACE
As used here, the term Jihad represents the ‘inner struggle’ that we go through during our sojourn on earth. Its deployment as title of this booklet is purely etymological, as our pursuit of salvation (mukthi or moksha), can be best described as a struggle. The same meaning – struggle, is shared by the Arabic noun Jihad and the Hebrew proper noun Israel, again in a salvific sense.

All of us go through similar struggles and are tormented by the same temptations; but the battle lines become clearly drawn at a specific point in our life – the moment we realize that we belong to God and are attracted to Jesus, the main battle follows. Though individual experiences may differ in many ways, there is a definite pattern as is conspicuous in the life of St. Paul after his sudden encounter with Jesus, on the road to Damascus.

My learning from the experience of waging holy war against my own carnal flesh and the inspirations that sustain me in my struggle, are compiled in this booklet. Juxtaposed verses from well known spiritual texts have been presented in parallel on the left side pages (in italics) to corroborate, complement or reinforce views and thoughts expressed.

INTRODUCTION
The origin of spiritual warfare reminds me of Newton’s third law: every action has an equal and opposite reaction. It is Satan’s reaction to God’s plan of eternal joy for mankind. In perfect fairness, God grants Satan equal right to oppose His plan while empowering us to freely choose between good and evil.

God’s design is wonderfully perfect and we are provided the best means to choose freely. He even offers a foretaste of both heaven and hell and gives us the longest rope of opportunities. Pharaoh was given eleven chances to let the Israelites go free (Exodus 7-11); here ‘eleven’ is used symbolically to convey the same meaning as in the English idiom ‘eleventh hour’.

Satan’s modus operandi is explained beautifully in the book of Genesis (Gen 3). His freedom is limited to deceiving us into believing evil to be good and vice-versa. As part of his deception game he generates impressive illusions to make evil appear attractive and good appear repulsive. In this process, Satan’s main weapon is our own flesh and our battle is the inner struggle between our spirit and our flesh.

The struggle then, is all about enduring much trouble which is the price to be paid by God’s children who choose ‘bitter’ good in preference to ‘sweet’ evil. Though it may appear to be too heavy and unbearable, it is actually too trivial a price when compared to the final glory that awaits those who abide and endure till the end. So come, let us face our battle together with the single-minded purpose of gaining the eternal reward that is far too greater than all temporal treasures combined.

 

[Booklover]

I am half way thro my upcoming booklet titled Jihad. I invite views, ideas and suggestions from members to enrich my work that it may effectively serve the purpose of amending life and building faith. I give below the PREFACE and INTRODUCTION of my upcoming booklet in this regard and appeal once again to all members to help me with enriching posts.

When I think of jihad, I think more of the violent one as practiced by Muslims. I’m not sure exactly what you want as far as posts, but here is a link to an article on Jihad on this site. Hope this helps!

Vickie

P.S. This thread should probably have been posted on the non-Christian religions area.

 

[sawman]

Pitcharan,

I don’t know if the difference in cultures gives you a tin ear, or what, this seems to have a similar effect as titling your pamphlet " Mein Kampf".
You can see how there is a strange juxtaposition between subject and title.
Peace,
Tom

 

[Pitcharan]

Pitcharan,

I don’t know if the difference in cultures gives you a tin ear, or what, this seems to have a similar effect as titling your pamphlet " Mein Kampf".
You can see how there is a strange juxtaposition between subject and title.
Peace,
Tom

Would you respond similarly to this statement of our Lord?
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” (John 6:27a)

Whatever I have said means just this: Do not be drawn into the Jihad that destroys, but fight the true Jihad that endures to eternal life, for which the Holy Spirit will lead you

 

[thistle]

Though “Jihad” has come to mean what you desribed, the true meaning is spiritual warfare or inner struggle between one’s own spirit and flesh. The literal meaning is “struggle”

Pitcharan

Gay never used to mean homosexual. However, it is now generally used only to mean that.
Same with Jihad. Nobody is going to use that other than meaning the muslims excuse to kill innocent people.
You should rename your booklet. If anyone handed me a booklet titled Jihad I would immediately throw it in the waste bin without reading it.

 

[Pitcharan]

Gay never used to mean homosexual. However, it is now generally used only to mean that.
Same with Jihad. Nobody is going to use that other than meaning the muslims excuse to kill innocent people.
You should rename your booklet. If anyone handed me a booklet titled Jihad I would immediately throw it in the waste bin without reading it.

Thank you very much for the valuable suggestion. I gratefully accept it and shall change the name of my booklet suitably.

 

[Sam_777]

Pitcharan,

I understand what you are trying to say, but keep in mind that JIHAD concept in Christianity (or what you are trying to prove) is different than the one in Islam.

Here is what I personally expect (or understand) from the JIHAD concept in Christianity:

1. Jihad by heart.
   if not possible then:
2. Jihad by tongue.
   if not possible then:
3. Jihad by hand (without Violence).

But here is the actual JIHAD in Islam per authentic hadiths:

1. Jihad by hand (with Violence).
   if not possible then:
2. Jihad by tongue.
   if not possible then:
3. Jihad by heart.

Sahih Muslim, Book 020, Number 4696:
It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: One who died but did not fight in the way of Allah nor did he express any desire (or determination) for Jihid died the death of a hypocrite.

صحيح مسلم:
قال رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏من مات ولم يغز ولم يحدث به نفسه مات على ‏ ‏شعبة ‏ ‏من نفاق ‏
​

(E) (A)

Sahih Muslim, Book 001, Number 0079:
“…I heard the Messenger of Allah as saying: He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of faith.”

صحيح مسلم
أول من بدأ بالخطبة يوم العيد قبل الصلاة ‏ ‏مروان ‏ ‏فقام إليه رجل فقال الصلاة قبل الخطبة فقال قد ترك ما هنالك فقال ‏ ‏أبو سعيد ‏ ‏أما هذا فقد قضى ما عليه سمعت رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏يقول ‏ ‏من رأى منكم منكرا فليغيره بيده فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه فإن لم يستطع فبقلبه وذلك أضعف الإيمان ‏
​

(E) (A)

 

[Pitcharan]

Pitcharan,

I understand what you are trying to say, but keep in mind that JIHAD concept in Christianity (or what you are trying to prove) is different than the one in Islam.

Here is what I personally expect (or understand) from the JIHAD concept in Christianity:

1. Jihad by heart.
   if not possible then:
2. Jihad by tongue.
   if not possible then:
3. Jihad by hand (without Violence).

But here is the actual JIHAD in Islam per authentic hadiths:

1. Jihad by hand (with Violence).
   if not possible then:
2. Jihad by tongue.
   if not possible then:
3. Jihad by heart.

Sahih Muslim, Book 020, Number 4696:
It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: One who died but did not fight in the way of Allah nor did he express any desire (or determination) for Jihid died the death of a hypocrite.

صحيح مسلم:
قال رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏من مات ولم يغز ولم يحدث به نفسه مات على ‏ ‏شعبة ‏ ‏من نفاق ‏
​

(E) (A)

Sahih Muslim, Book 001, Number 0079:
“…I heard the Messenger of Allah as saying: He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of faith.”

صحيح مسلم
أول من بدأ بالخطبة يوم العيد قبل الصلاة ‏ ‏مروان ‏ ‏فقام إليه رجل فقال الصلاة قبل الخطبة فقال قد ترك ما هنالك فقال ‏ ‏أبو سعيد ‏ ‏أما هذا فقد قضى ما عليه سمعت رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏يقول ‏ ‏من رأى منكم منكرا فليغيره بيده فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه فإن لم يستطع فبقلبه وذلك أضعف الإيمان ‏
​

(E) (A)

I thoroughly understand. I am not questioning the authenticity of your hadiths. I also appreciate the beautiful quotes.

Now quoting from our own (borrowed from the Jews) scriptures, we are aware that God punished Saul for disobedience in sparing the life of an opponent instead of killing him as God had commanded.

But those were times when God spoke through angels and prophets to guide and instruct His people.

I believe that these are changed times and we do not have angels and prophets telling us what to do. Moreover, we may imagine that we are serving God and actually be doing something wrong.

I am proposing something non-controversial against which there is no law anywhere in the world. There is no law that opposes LOVE. Try to understand.

 

[LittleSoldier]

I am half way thro my upcoming booklet titled Jihad. I invite views, ideas and suggestions from members to enrich my work that it may effectively serve the purpose of amending life and building faith. I give below the PREFACE and INTRODUCTION of my upcoming booklet in this regard and appeal once again to all members to help me with enriching posts.

It’s too bad that the word “jihad” has changed (like so many other words) but now it does have a pejorative meaning. The first thing I think of is “Muslim” and the next things I think about are Sharia, Taliban, burkha, female circumcision, kidnapping of young Christian girls, etc. etc.

I have to agree with others here. It’s unfortunate but the word “jihad”, although it means exactly what you need, has been damaged so irrevocably that it’s going to cause problems, among them anger.

Is there any other word you can use? I hate to ask that because I know “jihad” is the word that describes what you want to describe. I’m just worried about the reaction.

 

[Pitcharan]

It’s too bad that the word “jihad” has changed (like so many other words) but now it does have a pejorative meaning. The first thing I think of is “Muslim” and the next things I think about are Sharia, Taliban, burkha, female circumcision, kidnapping of young Christian girls, etc. etc.

I have to agree with others here. It’s unfortunate but the word “jihad”, although it means exactly what you need, has been damaged so irrevocably that it’s going to cause problems, among them anger.

Is there any other word you can use? I hate to ask that because I know “jihad” is the word that describes what you want to describe. I’m just worried about the reaction.

I stand corrected and have already said so in an earlier post. I have now decided to name my booklet “FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT”.I have even written to the Forum Administrator for renaming this thread so. But no response.

Thanks and regards
Pitcharan

 

[thistle]

I stand corrected and have already said so in an earlier post. I have now decided to name my booklet “FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT”.I have even written to the Forum Administrator for renaming this thread so. But no response.

Thanks and regards
Pitcharan

Short note to say I tried to respond to your PM but got an error message “invalid recipient username” so was unable to get through.

 

[Pitcharan]

Short note to say I tried to respond to your PM but got an error message “invalid recipient username” so was unable to get through.

Can you hep me getting this thread renamed FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT?

 

[thistle]

Can you hep me getting this thread renamed FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT?

You just have to keep trying to contact a moderator. I’m not so sure its so important anyway to change the thread title as people can understand the thread by reading the posts.