
MUSLIMS FOR
PEACE

لَّا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ
Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly. (Surah Mumtahna verse 8)

JIHAD
The context and circumstance of Qur’anic revelation and Hadith are crucial in coming to terms with Jihad.
TRUE MEANING OF JIHAD
The Arabic word "jihad" is often translated as "holy war," but in a purely linguistic sense, the word " jihad" means to struggle or strive. The Arabic term for holy war is: "al-harb al muqadis ". In a religious sense, "jihad" has many meanings, as described by the Quran and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). It can refer to internal as well as external efforts to be a good Muslims or believers, as well as working to inform people about the faith of Islam.
In a crisis situation, if efforts are required to protect the faith against others, it can be performed using anything from legal, diplomatic, and economic to political means first. If there is no peaceful alternative, Islam also allows the use of force, but there are strict rules of engagement. Innocent non-combatants such as women, children or invalids must never be harmed, and any peaceful overtures from the enemy must be accepted. Allah (S.W.T) says in Surah Al Baqara (Verse 190):
وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
Meaning: Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like
transgressors.

Military action is only one means of jihad, and is very rare. To highlight this point, the Prophet Mohammed told his followers returning from a military campaign: "This day we have returned from the minor jihad to the major jihad," which he said meant returning from armed battle to the peaceful battle for self-control and betterment.
In case military action appears necessary, it does not mean that just anyone can declare jihad. The religious military campaign has to be declared by a proper authority, advised by scholars, who say the religion and people are under threat and violence is imperative to defend them.
The concept of "just war" is very important. The concept of jihad has been hijacked by many political and religious groups over the ages in a bid to justify various forms of violence. In most cases, Islamic splinter groups invoked jihad to fight against the established Islamic order. Scholars say this misuse of jihad contradicts Islam. Examples of sanctioned military jihad include the Muslims' defensive battles against the Crusaders in medieval times, and before that some responses by Muslims against Byzantine and Persian attacks during the period of the early Islamic conquests.
To distinguish between the abuse jihad (terrorism) or correct Jihad (Bullying enemies prevent incursions). Hurting innocent by using the name of Islam which declared war on the world Jihad is the way of error. Terrorist attacked to the innocent Muslims and non-Muslims to accomplish politically both on land in Muslim and non-Muslim countries is violate the provision. We must condemn violence committed by a group of extremists which ignore to distinguish the innocent also bleed killing an unknown.
CORRECT INTERPRETATIONS
1- Jihad is not a violent concept.
2- Jihad is not a declaration of war against other religions. It is worth noting that the Koran specifically refers to Jews and Christians as "people of the book" who should be protected and respected. All three faiths worship the same God. Allah is just the Arabic word for God and is used by Christian Arabs as well as Muslims.
3- Military action in the name of Islam has not been common in the history of Islam. Scholars say most calls for violent jihad are not sanctioned by Islam.
4- Warfare in the name of God is not unique to Islam. Other faiths throughout the world have waged wars with religious justifications
5 In any case, ethics of Jihad must be respected and the aim should be to combat military units only.
6- Jihad in Islam is specifically a feature of anti-persecution and inhibition of damage to society. It is also used to guarantee freedom of faith for Muslims and others and helping the oppressed. That means to punish those who transgressed. Capturing and occupying territories are NOT the target of the jihad. Nor is the elimination of the non-Muslims from this world, as this is contrary to the Shariah of Allah

References
Yusuf Al Qardawi, Fiqh Al JIhad
Dr MuhammadTahir-ul-Qadri, Fatwa on Terrorism and Suicide Bombings