Message for Friday - Mujahideen does not equal "holy warrior" or terrorist

والمجاهد من جاهد نفسه في طاعة الله، والمهاجر من هجر الخطايا والذنوب

Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) said, "The Mujahid is he who strives in his soul regarding the command of G'd, and the Muhajir (immigrant) is he who leaves sin and wrong doing."

Relating to the word jihad, which means struggle in Arabic, the mujahid, person who performances jihad, is anyone who strives to perform actions in accordance with the decrees of G'd. Hence in Islam, a person who leaves home and studies knowledge is a mujahid. A person who stays up late at night to contemplate solving social problems is a mujahid just as the mujahid who physically protects his property.

In Islam, jihad is based upon an inward state, thus the stressing of the word soul (nafs) in the prophetic statement above. Suicide bombing and terrorism are not jihad because they violate the commands of G'd.

Thus everyday, G'd fearing people are in a state of jihad. Life is about struggle as well as leaving matters that are destructive to spiritual/pyschological wellness.

And surely G'd knows best.