The Spiritual Significance of Spiritual Warfare (or Jihad) In Islam Is a Test Allah Places On The Believer.
And those who perform jihad (or endure struggle) for Us, We shall certainly guide them in Our ways, and Allah (i.e. God) is surely with the doers of good. (Quran 39:69)
You have returned from the lesser jihad to the greater jihad. (Hadith)
The Arabic term jihad, usually translated into European languages as holy war, more on the basis of its juridical usage in Islam rather than on its much more universal meaning in the Quran and Hadith, is derived from the root /jhd/ which primary means “to strive or to exert oneself”.
Its translation into holy war, combined with the erroneous notion of Islam prevalent in the West as the ‘religion of the sword’, has helped to eclipse its inner and spiritual significance and has distorted its most understood connotation.
With that said, its appearance upon the stage of history during the past century and especially during the past few years has helped to make known the full import of its traditional meaning which alone can cause its essential meaning to be lost. If we are to enjoin on a more simplistic and inclusive meaning, we should look at this word in the context of it being spiritual warfare.
Such distortions and even total reversal of the meaning of jihad, as understood over the ages by Muslims, have made it more difficult than ever before to gain insight into this key religious and spiritual concept.
To understand the spiritual significance of jihad or Spiritual Warfare and its wide application to nearly every aspect of human life, as understood in Islam, it is necessary to remember that Islam bases itself upon the idea of establishing equilibrium within the being of man as well as in the human society where he functions and fulfills the goals of man’s earthly life.
This equilibrium, which is the terrestrial reflection of Divine Justice and the necessary condition for peace in the human domain, is the basis upon which the soul takes its flight towards that peace which, to use Christian terms, ‘passeth understanding’.
If Christian morality sees the aim of the spiritual life and its own morality as based on the vertical flight towards that perfection and ideal which is embodied in Christ, Islam sees it in the establishment of an equilibrium both outward and inward as the necessary basis for the vertical ascent.
IS PRAYER A WEAPON IN THIS WARFARE?
What ISLAM teaches…
What CHRISTIANITY teaches…
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS SUBJECT? FEEL FREE TO SHARE.
Certainly a better way to contextualize Jihad. The comparison to Christianity and the concept of spiritual warfare is helpful. My question then becomes is it necessary to believe in fallen angels and demons in order to hold this point of view?
Hello my friend. Thank you for visiting Interfaith Library. It seems that you are going to be a major asset when it comes to real thought provoking subjects, questions and answers. We look forward to all your contributions. Let me first say, that was an AMAZING question. To respond to your question, if you are a supporter of the “Original Sin” concept and that Jesus came as “Expiation of Sin” then the Devil (or the Fallen Angel) perspective comes into play. If you are a supporter of the idea that “Universal Causality” (or Free Will) comes into play then Spiritual Warfare is a trial God puts forth so that we may know Him and learn to accept that He is “the ALL that BE ALL”. You can review these articles for a deeper reflection. https://interfaithlibrary.com/how-does-islam-christianity-judaism-view-free-will/
https://interfaithlibrary.com/what-is-meant-by-divine-decree/
(We hope others have something to share on this subject. Please feel free to share)
Thank you for your additional articles.