THE ROOTS OF MODERATION AND PEACE (Interpreting the Verses and Hadith on Jihad in the Context of the Modern World)

Abstract

Yellow Book is a tradition of the Salaf islamic boarding school. Departing from the same understanding in the yellow book texts, sometimes the application (tathbiq) is not in the right way to certain conditions and realities. Jihad which in classical discourse is defined as a war against infidels, if the application (tathbiq) is not applied correctly, it can actually provide an terror opportunity for a group to destroy kufr on the earth indiscriminately. The Innocent children will be the victims of violence of war, women and children will be made as slaves, and their property will be ghanimah (war booty). The texts in the yellow book sourced from the Quran and hadith must be able to be the foundation and the trigger for world peace. Therefore, the texts in the yellow book, must be understood comprehensively, actual, and applied contextually, especially on issues related to siyasah and benefit of the humankind. Not on the issues of worship which is only valid when there are commands and prohibitions from shari'a. Jihad should not be understood narrowly, or it can be devastating to the peace of the people. The status of non-Muslims, which offered (by classical scholars) in the concept of jihad, must not be considered as a standard provision and can not be changed. Because, in the theory of salaf, more or less it will affect the legality of war and hostility. So that, the most primary thing, actually is have to look at the basic status of relations between religious communities (Muslim and non-Muslim), based on the principle of relations of peace or hostility.