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February 27, 2005
REVIEW: A history of jihad
JIHAD! The very mention of the word anywhere in the world today would make people jump with a frisson of horror. It would conjure vivid pictures of the fall of the World Trade Centre’s twin towers, explosions in buses and night clubs, and beheading of non-Muslim captives. The 9/11 episode gave a new meaning to jihad, and triggered the perception that Islam, as a religion, encourages terrorism.
But it was not always so. There was a time when jihad was “more peaceful and integrationist in its purposes” than the Jewish herem, which called for total annihilation of the polytheists, regardless of their gender or age. And, talking of the recourse to the sword in Islam, in Matthew: 10:34 Jesus says that he had “come not to send peace on earth ...but a sword”.
Nor can it always be so. The world today is a ‘village’, and mankind a ‘family.’ A family cannot live and prosper in a state of perpetual internecine conflict. Therefore, in Jihad: From Quran to bin Laden Professor Richard Bonney attempts, in his own words, to increase understanding, especially in the West, of the varieties of jihad in history, facilitate greater understanding of mainstream Islam and dispel the false consciousness and misunderstanding of the Islamic history, which has a potentially devastating consequence in perpetuating myths and misconceptions of ‘the other’.
Although it is, probably, the first ever book to give an objective account of the historical context, causation, achievements and consequences of jihad in history, yet, it is not just another book of history. It is written with a purpose. And that purpose is to encourage Muslims to rediscover the quintessence of jihad, to find out what went wrong, where, and reconstruct their shattered image. This, indeed, is a stupendous task — a jihad in itself.
The book starts on a positive note: it rejects western notions of “Islamic terrorism” and “a clash of civilizations”. Terrorism is perpetrated by violent Islamists, and the clash is between militant Islamic exceptionalism and American exceptionalism.
It traces the genesis of jihad from the Quran and hadith and its evolution through time. It examines all varieties, forms and shades of jihad, undertaken anywhere in the world, from the time of the Prophet (PBUH) and his first four caliphs, to the present day. The chronicle shows beyond doubt that jihad lost its noble appellation soon after the first four Caliphs. Subsequently, individuals, groups and states, all used it for their own purpose. For example, jihad in its true form strictly prohibits killing women, children and old men, but in today’s version of jihad, indiscriminate killing is permissible. Thus jihad was transformed from a humane Dr Jekyll to a hideous Mr Hyde.
And yet, distortion and deliberate misinterpretation remains a continuous process. For example, Osama bin Laden extols Ibn-i-Taymiah in his speeches and claims to follow him. But he has twisted Ibn-i-Taymiah, who preached a defensive jihad. His fatwa is excerpted in the Appendix. The author posits that there is no concept of an “offensive” jihad in Islam. Islam is submission to God, and submission to God means peace and justice.
The 423-page book starts with highlighting the conflicting interpretations of the Quran’s verses and hadith on jihad, by various Sunni jurists, as well as Shia and Sufi (Jihad-al-Nafs) beliefs. Of particular interest is the discussion on the theory of “abrogation” (naskh) versus a holistic interpretation of the Quranic text relevant to jihad.
Doves such as Imam Malik and Ghazali are discussed along with hawks like Shafi and Sarakhsi. Among modern ideologues — Syed Qutb, Hasan al Banna and Syed Maududi — the last named receives a detailed treatment, because his “revolutionary” thought has influenced Muslims widely. Also discussed at full length is Osama bin Laden’s global jihad, which the author calls, “fifth generation jihad”.
The jihad to build bridges is summed up in the conclusion. In today’s context the need is for “enlightened moderation” — a Muslim consensus in the future development of Islam and its relations with the West. Mainstream Islam needs to accept the concept of the existence of pluralist societies in the contemporary world, adjustment and tolerance. Muslims must engage positively with the West. The day dream of world domination, subjugating or exterminating all non-Muslims should be buried forever.
Those who quote the ayat-us-saif (Verses of the Sword, Quran 2:191) — “And slay them wherever ye catch them” — in order to justify perpetual hostility against non-Muslims should also recall the verse of the Quran 10:99 which says, “If it had been the Lord’s Will, they would all have believed — all who are on earth. Wilt thou then compel mankind against their will, to believe?” This admonition itself points to the divine will of fostering peaceful coexistence.
However, the greatest hurdle to a positive engagement is the backwardness of the ulema. “Many ulema simply do not possess a universal understanding of Islam that goes beyond the narrow boundaries of their own maslak,” the author observes. They are cocooned in their own narrow circles from which vantage point they hurl occasional fatwahs against dissidents. The madressahs have no contact with the wider society. They do not know anything about other religions. There is so much ignorance and prejudice that before engaging with other faiths it is necessary for Muslims to bridge the intra-Muslim gulf.
Bonney lays down six principles for the future of the human family and the role of the Muslims in it. At the very end is the author’s invaluable advice to the Muslim mainstream. Muslims should engage truthfully and authentically both with Islam’s own pluralist tradition and explain that rich and diverse heritage to others in a relevant, comprehensible and public way. This he calls ‘public diplomacy’. Muslim mainstream must make a concerted effort to create awareness in the West about the current debates within Islam on issues such as modernity, pluralism and human rights. Without such public diplomacy, enlightened moderation in Islam will certainly not be understood in the West.
This masterpiece on jihad is invaluable for anyone looking for a holistic picture of one of the most fascinating features of Muslim belief.
Jihad: From Quran to Bin Laden
By Professor Richard Bonney
Palgrave Macmillan. Available with
Liberty Books (Pvt) Ltd,
3 Rafiq Plaza, M.R. Kayani Road,
Saddar, Karachi
Tel: 021-5683026
Email: libooks@cyber.net.pk
Website: www.libertybooks.com
ISBN 1-4039-3372-3594pp. Rs3,175
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