To use picture clues, media clips and the Muslim concept of Jihad to understand Muslim attitudes to war. Grade C All will be able to describe the meaning of ‘greater’ and ‘lesser’ JIHAD and explain why the concept of ‘lesser JIHAD’ is often misunderstood. Grade B Most will be able to examine quotes from the Qur’an and explain their meaning. Grade A/A* Some will be able to express an opinion on whether it is ever ethical for a Muslim to fight in a war. What do you think the word STRUGGLE means? Struggle means to do something with difficulty in an attempt to reach a goal. Write a definition OR a list of words OR ideas to explain this word. The main Muslim attitude to war is that it is part of Muslim struggle (JIHAD) – Muslims believe that it may be necessary to go to war to achieve JUSTICE as long as the war is JUST. The Muslim version of a JUST WAR (sometimes known as a HOLY WAR) has slight different conditions to the Christian version. The word Islam comes from the word SALAAM, meaning PEACE. It also means submission. Muslims are taught that they should work or fight for JUSTICE. ALL Muslims will avoid WAR if possible. Watch the following clip carefully... 1. What does the term JIHAD mean? 2. There are TWO types of JIHAD what are they? The Qur’an teaches Muslims that in order to follow the will of Allah, people will face many struggles, both inside themselves and in the world. A personal effort made by every Muslim to devote his or her life to carrying out Allah's will and fight against evil. There are TWO types of JIHAD 1. GREATER JIHAD 1. GREATER (inner) JIHAD What dothat you Muslims think this struggle face struggle involves? within themselves. 2. LESSER JIHAD 2. LESSER (Physical) JIHAD What do you this Struggle withthink the outside struggle involves? world JIHAD Greater Lesser Set up your book in the following way… Use the following slides to help you make notes The struggle that Muslims face within themselves. This is the conflict of good and evil within ourselves. Using your mini whiteboards can you work out what GREATER JIHAD involves from the following pictures...? I want a hat and scarf! • Visit mosque regular • Study Quran regular • Help the poor and needy • Be a good friend and neighbour How is HAJJ a good example of GREATER JIHAD? The struggle that Muslims face with the world. This is physical struggle – although Islam is a religion of peace the Qur’an teaches that there are certain circumstances where the use of violence is permitted. Using your mini whiteboards and the following slides can you work out why violence is sometimes permitted... The Qur’an teaches must fight if they are attacked. Muhammad did it – so its ok! Muhammad himself fought in wars and many of his teachings permit war. Those who die in a holy war will go straight to heaven. Which is more difficult to achieve, the GREATER or LESSER jihad? Why? Grade C All will be able to describe the meaning of ‘greater’ and ‘lesser’ JIHAD. Watch the following clip carefully... Why is the concept of JIHAD often misunderstood by non-Muslims? The idea of Jihad is often misunderstood by non-Muslims who then see Islam as being a violent religion, when the vast majority of Muslims are peaceful. This is mostly a stereotype fed by the media who misunderstand many aspects of Muslim life. Jihad is often linked to terrorists and terrorism as they misuse the concept of Jihad to justify their actions. Although jihad does not mean war, many Muslims believe that the fight against evil and the preservation of Islam may justify going into battle. This is then described as Harb-al-Muqadis, which is technically a Holy War. Grade C All will be able to explain why the concept of ‘lesser JIHAD’ is often misunderstood. I think this means… Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress (break the rules). Allah does not like transgressors. (Qur’an 2:190) I think this means… And if two parties among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two… in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly. (Qur’an 49:9) Permission (to fight) has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory. (Qur’an 22:39) Muslim teachings on WAR… I think this means… I think this means… And what is (the matter) with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and (for) the oppressed among men, women and children. (Qur’an 4:75) I think this means… If anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. (Qur’an 5:32) Read each QUOTE and write down what you think it means – what is it teaching Muslims about WAR? JUST CAUSE = • Defence of Islam • Selfdefence •Fighting injustice War must be authorised by a Muslim Authority! I say its OK! All other non-violent methods must have failed! This is called FATWA! It must be fought with the MINIMUM amount of suffering and innocent civilians MUST NOT be killed. It must END when the enemy surrenders. It should aim to restore PEACE and FREEDOM NOW think about the SIMILARITIES and CanDIFFERENCES you work outthese the 6 conditions of a Muslim JUST/HOLY war from the the JUST WAR Now match 6 to conditions up to thecriteria. QUOTES picture clues? Create a KEY and highlight these on your mind map. from(everyone the Qur’an. THINK – PAIR – SHARE on their mini whiteboards) JUST CAUSE = • Defence of Islam • Selfdefence •Fighting injustice All other non-violent methods must have failed! War must be authorised by a Muslim Authority! I say YES! This is called FATWA! It must be fought with the MINIMUM amount of suffering and innocent civilians MUST NOT be killed. It must END when the enemy surrenders. It should aim to restore PEACE and FREEDOM Choose ONE similarity and ONE difference… How are they SIMILAR? Explain your response How are they DIFFERENT? Explain your response Grade B Most will be able to examine quotes from the Qur’an and explain their meaning. A growing number of Muslims (such as the Muslim Peace Fellowship) have a more PACIFIST This is because... • • • • • • The word Islam is Arabic for PEACE – PEACE is therefore at the heart of their faith. WMD and nuclear weapons cannot follow the rules of lesser Jihad as innocent people will always be killed. There are always other means to gain PEACE instead of war. Violence only leads to more violence – it increases hatred. References in the Qur’an relate to the past not the present. HOWEVER they too will accept WAR as a LAST RESORT. WHY? view... ‘A religious person should not fight in a war’ In your answer you should refer to one religion other than Christianity. (i) Do YOU agree? Swap with a partner I…… because… (ii) mark Give reasons why others some and each people might disagree WITH work in GREEN YOU. PEN Some people might disagree The type of question (D) and the marks for I also…… because… with me because… each question (6). Also… Finally I… because…. Finally… Please comment – giving a POSITIVE and a REMEMBER: Points should be DETAILED TARGET Grade A/A* Some will be able to express an opinion on whether it is ever ethical for a Muslim to fight in a war. Now we know what we do about GREATER and LESSER JIHAD we can make a decision over recent events and dismiss any misconceptions... We will look at 4 events that some have claimed to be examples JIHAD... Use what we have learnt in today's lesson to decide whether you think each of these to be an example of Jihad – Explain your response to each example. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjtLK2Tdv HE One thing I have learnt today is... One thing that has surprised me this lesson is... One thing I would like to know more about is...