Jihad al-faasiqeen

My son was sent home from class early today because of very non-productive forwarded text messages spread by people with less than stellar IQ's regarding possible attacks by the MILF.

The August 18, 2008 attacks by MILF elements in Lanao del Norte and Sarangani involved actions NOT in consonance with Islamic military jurisprudence. They took hostages, killed unarmed civilians and disarmed military personnel, burned down houses and pillaged houses and stores according to reports by the Philippine military and survivors.

Islam allows fighting ONLY for self-defense or to aid other Muslims. One might argue that the MILF are justified in taking action under self-defense or to aid fellow Moros BUT they must, as Muslims, follow the Ten Rules for Muslim Armies as practiced by the Prophet Muhammad and summarized by Abu Bakr as follows:

"Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone."

Even if the opponent fights unfairly, Muslims must be their betters.

About the title of this post - Jihad does not translate to holy war. Jihad literally means "to struggle" or to "strive". The greater of the said struggle are called Jihad-an-nafs or Jihad against one’s self and Jihad ash-shaitaan or Jihad against Satan - they are the struggles to do good. The lesser struggles are Jihad al-kuffar or Jihad against disbeliever, Jihad al-munafiqeen or Jihad against hypocrites and Jihad al-faasiqeen or Jihad against corrupt Muslims.

I call attention on Jihad al-faasiqeen as corrupt Muslims (particularly in the ARMM) not only make other Muslims suffer but they keep non-Muslims from seeing the values of Islam. They keep the Muslim nation from growing. I hope that the MILF help in this struggle towards a corruption free Mindanao.