Феномен джихада в исламе

Abstract

Based on a critical analysis of the definitions of Jihad in popular science, dictionary refer-ence, commentary, and educational literature, the article establishes the methodological flaw of the abstract, one-sided representation of Jihad exclusively as a call to Muslims to wage a "Holy war". It concludes that such a one-sided definition of Jihad, imposed on the world community by Western Islamism, which is critical of everything Muslim, is used by the inspirers of interna-tional terrorism as a religious justification for the need to wage an armed war against non-believers and apostates. Understanding the Quranic provisions about Jihad, the historical en-richment of the content of Jihad, the various forms and varieties of its manifestation allows the authors to outline methodologically verified research principles and offer a conceptual defini-tion of Jihad that expresses its deep essence. The article defines Jihad as an Islamic phenome-non that consists in the concentration of consciousness, will, desires, and efforts of every Mus-lim and the entire Islamic Ummah in General to strengthen the faith in the One Allah, to protect and spread this faith, and to subordinate personal and public life to the requirements of Islam. This deep essence of Jihad is manifested in the most diverse efforts made by believers on the path of Islam, in the zeal that contributes to the qualitative improvement of the Muslim Ummah, its quantitative growth. The author of the article considers it inappropriate to claim that the religious phenomenon named by the Arabic term "Jihad" is exclusively an Islamic phenomenon. He puts forward the thesis that, although the term "Jihad" is used only in Islam to express the concentration of all ef-forts of Muslims on the path of establishing faith in the One Allah, a similar phenomenon occurs in other religions. The selfless service of Muslims to Islam should not become the basis for its characterization as a bloodthirsty religion associated with wars, battles, violence, suicides, and other negative aspects, since no religious and cult system can be established, strengthened, and spread except on the basis of the diligent service of its adherents.