The real spirit of Islamic Jihad
Through the actions of some elements, the western world has a wrong concept
of Jihad (Holy War). Jihad conjures up a vision of a marching band of religious
fanatics with beards and fiery eyes, brandishing swords and attacking infidels.
Whenever conflicts erupt in Islamic states, we hear of ‘Jihad, Jihad’.
But this is a contradiction of the concept of Jihad in Islam.
Jihad as ordained by Islam does not mean killing and being killed, but
striving hard to win the blessings of God. Jihad falls into two broad categories.
Jihad-e-Akbar (Greater Jihad) against one’s own person to curb sinful inclinations,
i.e. purification of self. This is the most difficult Jihad and hence in
terms of rewards and blessings the highest. The other is Jihad-e-asghar
(lesser Jihad) of the sword.
Islam categorically rejects and condemns every form of terrorism. It
does not provide any cover or justification for any act of violence, be
it committed by an individual, a group or a government. Islam does not
approve of disorder. Not only Islam but also no true religion, whatever
its name, can sanction violence and bloodshed of innocent men, women and
children in the name of God.
Under the second category, Jihad of the sword, defensive war is permitted.
But only on condition that the enemies initiate hostilities and raise sword
against a weak, defenceless people for having committed the only crime
of declaring that ‘God is their Lord’. (Holy Quran: 22:40,41).
The Quran also speaks of fighting only against those who first attack
Muslims. The so-called “verse of the sword” in the Islamic scripture is
often taken out of context as if it inculcates an indiscriminate massacre
of all unbelievers.
The western media and even some scholars sometimes ignore the distinction
between these two aspects of Jihad.
Modern day terrorism in any Islamic state is contrary to the real spirit
of the Islamic Jihad.
A. Abdul Aziz
Negombo
Was this a fitting tribute to a Prince of Peace?
On October 9, the statue of the late Vijaya Kumaranatunga was garlanded
and memorial meetings and some sports events were held. Are these a fitting
tribute to the ‘Prince of Peace’?
His simplicity and determination to provide a clean political leadership
sans walauwa ties and vested interests enabled him to reach the pinnacle
of politics over and above veteran left leaders. Unfortunately, his attempt
to create a viable third force in Sri Lankan politics made him the target
of both the UNP and the SLFP, as well as the extremist JVP who grudged
his refusal to accept its terror politics at that time.
Most of all, what endeared Vijaya to the downtrodden masses was the
giant strides he made with the misled youth in the north. No other political
leader has, thereafter, had the courage to go to the north and persuade
the youth to lay down arms.
Political leaders of today who pay tribute to Vijaya will not be considered
honest unless they make a genuine attempt to end the war and restore peace.
It seems a bit late already and we are now on the brink of the precipice
of disaster.
Peace talks must begin right here and now. That would be the finest
tribute we could pay to Vijaya. ‘Goodbye Sweet Prince’, from a schoolmate
coincidentally born on the same date, month and year as you.
Rienzie Benedict
Kapuwatte
Suffering in the dark
A majority of the population in Sri Lanka is caught in a stranglehold where
the power cuts are concerned. The upper classes, the well-to- do politicians,
along with the business magnates have methods to overcome this crisis with
generators. We, the masses have to suffer in silence. Many instances of
teenage girls being molested when returning after classes in the dark,
have also been reported.
Schoolchildren have their own problems and some have got burnt while
attempting to do their homework with the light of bottle- lamps. Dinner
and breakfast in most homes have become a scrap meal as housewives are
unable to prepare meals in the dark.
There have also been more murders, robberies, rapes and burglaries during
the power cuts. The loss of man hours would be in the millions or even
billions.
Srinath C. Waidyatilleke
Gammaduwa
Nation of grumblers
A nation of grumblers
That’s what we are
of braggers and bunglers
Who have not a care
for their lost neighbours.
For the land of their birth
They toil not, nor labour
Their ‘duty’ - they shirk!
Let’s take the ‘power-cuts’
Deplored by quite a few
So it took away our comforts
And changed the life we knew
So, what if we have to sweat?
Does it warrant such a ‘din’?
The way some people fume and fret
You’d think it was a ‘sin’.
I think that it is not quite right
The way that some go on
And on about these ruddy lights
And how kids can’t rise at dawn.
Why don’t we teach them how to carry
All life’s little ‘crosses’?
On life’s road a while to tarry
To count our ‘blessings’ not our ‘losses’
Teach them that in our own dear land
There are children who stop their play
To lend their parents, a helping hand,
Finish ‘homework’ before close of day.
Teach them how in ages past
Of people who did toil
Whose children their exams did pass
By burning midnight oil.
It was by feeble candlelight
That Mozart sometimes composed
And there was no smooth ‘ball-point’
For Dickens to write his prose.
They all had ‘dedication’
A thing we now all lack
Today - we attain distinction
Without effort - and that’s a fact!
If Newton thought “How silly, to sit
Beneath an apple tree!
People will think, I’ve not the wit”-
Then what of ‘gravity’?
If Galileo said, “I lack concentration
With these mosquitoes, to gaze at the constellation”
If Einstein had stayed in for ‘cartoons’ and tea
And said, “I do give up on ‘relativity’
If Christopher Columbus
Said, “Bella, I-take-up-your-quest,
No ship - nor bus
A ‘4 wheel-drive’, would-be-best.’
David Livingstone, I presume
Never said, “The perfume
Of these African people
Drives me up the steeple!
Each to his own,
I’m going back home!”
So - let’s pause to be a little nice
Let’s teach a little ‘sacrifice’
Let’s stop a while
To greet - to smile
Let’s try each day to count our ‘gifts’
And by now, I’m sure, you’ve got my drift!
Janine
Nugegoda |
