An Elementary Study of Islam — Page 47
Mirza Tahir Ahmad 47 whichever age they were born, of the crime of coercion in relation to the spread of their message. Hence it is inconceivable that the Quran should present its Holy Prophet sa as the harbinger of an era of bloodshed in the name of peace and hatred in the name of love of God. This is no place to engage in intricate polemical discussions, so this brief introduction should suffice here. According to the Quran, the Holy War, called Jihad , is in reality a holy campaign which uses the help of the Quran to bring about a spiritual revolution in the world. `EU G L A. W K*K Fight against them by means of it (the Quran) a great fight. (Quran 25:53) These are the very words of the Quran which throw light on the nature of Jihad. It must be fought by means of the Quran and the Quranic message alone. Again, to tame one’s rebellious nature into complete submission to God is another form of Jihad which is in fact the greater Jihad, according to the Holy Prophet sa of Islam. On returning from a battle, he is reported to have said: We are returning from the lesser Jihad to the greater Jihad. Of course, defensive war is permitted only on the 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. All offensive wars according to Islam are unholy.