THE TRUE NATURE
OF ISLAM
The literal meaning of jihad is “struggle” or “effort.” In Islam, it refers to purposeful striving—not dying in combat. Islam gives a person a constructive mission, and fulfilling this mission requires the meaningful use of one’s God-given abilities—not engaging in futile violence or sacrificing one’s life without benefit.
In Makkah, the Prophet of Islam did not die fighting his enemies. Instead, he migrated from Makkah to Madinah so that he could continue his divine mission without obstruction.
Nowhere in the Quran is it stated, in absolute terms, that one must die fighting for God. On the contrary, the Quran says: “Be patient for the sake of your Lord” (92:7). The Prophet of Islam is referred to in the Quran as a “Mercy to all the worlds” (21:107). Nowhere is he described as the “Sword of God over mankind.”
The Quran declares: “Reconciliation is best” (4:128), but it contains no verse saying, “War is best.” The Quran says: “Indeed, those who are patient will be given their reward without measure” (39:10), but nowhere does it say: “Indeed, the fighters will be rewarded without measure.”
A hadith (saying of the Prophet) states: “Do not wish to encounter the enemy in battle; rather, ask God for well-being.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2966) There is no narration where the Prophet said: “You must desire to confront the enemy and pray to God for war.”
During the campaign of Makkah, when a Muslim remarked, “Today is a day of fierce fighting,” the Prophet responded: “No, today is a day of compassion.” (Tarikh Dimashq by Ibn Asakir, Volume 23, p. 454)
The reality is that Islamic culture is a culture of mercy—it is not a culture of violence. Islam seeks to establish moderate and peaceful relations among people under all circumstances, even if that requires making peace on seemingly one-sided terms, as was done during the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.
The duty of believers is neither to behead others nor to get beheaded. The duty of believers is to live in the world as humble servants of God. They are to respond to bad treatment with good behaviour. Through high moral character, they open the doors of truth and understanding in people’s hearts. They strive to become spiritually enlightened individuals themselves and dedicate all their energy to helping others become the same.
