Jihad
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Jihad is an Islamic concept of spiritual struggle. Though jihad is not considered to be a pillar of Islam, some scholars believe it is the sixth pillar of Islam after Shahadah, Salat, Zakaat, Sawm and Hajj.[1] Jihad can be divided into four types:
- Jihad against one's self: this is directed against the evil side of one's self which is affected by Satan.[2]
- Jihad of the tongue: this is a form of jihad which involves spreading the message of Allah
- Jihad of the hand: this is the jihad of doing the right
- Jihad of the sword: this is form of jihad which involves a holy war and can be directed against the non-Muslims or unbelievers.
Historically, jihad against non-Muslims was important to the wars of many Islamic peoples. More recently, the concept of jihad has been claimed by militant and terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas and al-Qaeda, and consequently the term has come to be known in Western countries and has been used exaggeratedly in anti-Islamic scaremongering.
[edit] See also
- Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons
- Innocence of Muslims
- Islamophobia
- Salman Rushdie
- Spiritual warfare