1. The word Jihad comes from the word jahd. It literally means striving and spending utmost effort to do something. Jihad can be interpreted in different ways depending on the context. It does not necessarily mean “war” according to Quran, Hadith and Islamic legalities. It also means inner development of a person, controlling evil faculties one may have as anger, jealousy and phobia. It would not be correct to argue that Islam, as a rule of thumb, sanctions the use of violence. It permits however a defensive war which is based on just cause (war) against an offensively waged aggression.

Considering that suicide bombing issue is de facto and is not de jure Islamic, I would argue that one has to reach the hearts and minds of the people, conquer the minds and hearts of the “other side” from within as evidence suggested by the life of the Prophet Muhammad. As it is well known, when he was stoned in Taif, he said oh my God grant them guidance them, they don’t know, instead of reacting violently.

On this note, I believe that it is crucial to look into the sources of such acts in-depth. A question such as why such actions did not exist, for instance, two centuries ago, must be pondered upon within this context.

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