A Research Review of Anwar Sheikh’s Thoughts Regarding Jihād

Abstract

Warfare is an unevitable part of every religion, society, and civilization. Man desires survival naturally which is not possible without self-defense. Islam also permits its followers to fight for survival. The Islamic concept of war is completely different from other concepts. According to Islamic teachings, Jihād is not fighting just for personal interests but it is about a struggle for the sake of Allah Almighty and Islam. However some of the opponents and critics try to disgrace Islam by speculating and conjecturing with insufficient knowledge or understanding. Anwar Sheikh is one of the apostates of the Subcontinent who spread repugnance against Islam through his mistaken ideas. He targeted the holy Qur‘ān, ḥadīth, Sīrah of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ), Islamic history, culture, and civilization. Jihād is also included in his allegations. He reverted from Islam and passed his several years in Europe where the environment changed his mind. Though, there is the concept of holy war in other religions but, in this case, Anwar criticized Islam mostly. A brief critical analysis of Anwar’s allegations regarding Jihād is presented in this research article.