Question

What extent, if any, does the idea of jihad, as well as the early days of Islam under Muhammad's leadership, contribute to the idea that Islam is an inherently violent religion? 200- 300 words.

Answer 1

Islam is a religion of peace. Due to the wrong acts of few, it has been wrongly described and overstated as encouraging violence. Islam nowhere supports the violence which people do, in the name of Jihad. They are not true followers of Islam, yet they use the word as a justification for their sinful acts and to manipulate the innocent people to help them.

As per Islam, Jihad is anything which one does to refrain oneself from sinful path and to follow the orders of Allah. The cognitive dissonance which one feels, before doing something right, stepping out of his laziness and fear is also a Jihad. Yet, sadly, it is always associated with war. Even War is called Jihad, but it has to be done in the path and for the sake of Allah. Anything, which is not this, cannot be named as Jihad. Muhammed (peace be upon him) in his life, went to many Jihads, but it had the following purpose - when Muslims were less, they did Jihad to show their strength, they did Jihad to defend themselves from enemies, they did Jihad when the treaties were breached, they did Jihad as a punishment for plunder and raid etc. Nowhere it was the personal vengeance and self- interest satisfaction involved. Sadly, these days, people for the sake of money, personal interest and vengeance do violent acts and name it as Jihad. The concept of Jihad and the life of Muhammed (PBUH) nowhere has any influence on this, but it is wrongly misused.