Sword as a Cultural Symbol or Weapon of Violence in Islam An analysis <br>Pedang Sebagai Simbol Budaya atau Senjata Keganasan Da-lam Islam: Satu Analisis

Abstract

Abstract

Orientalists like Washington Irving and Wilfred Cantwell Smith coined the idea and spread through their virulent writings that Islam spread through sword. This notion has been once again circulating in the media immediately after the incident of 9/11. Orientalists appear to have been uncomfortable with this allegation as they knew very well that political subjugation of people by sword was possible but winning over the hearts of the people by force was impossible. Historically, the Prophet’s (s.a.w.) achievement was the total transformation of man individually as well as socially from all angles, familial, social, economic, cultural, intellectual, educational, moral, political, and spiritual etc. Many well-known scholars have already rebutted the allegation concerning sword of Islam. This paper looks into another dimension of the significance of sword in Arab culture. It tries to trace the socio-cultural value of sword in the history of Arabian Peninsula.                         . 

Keywords: Islam, sword, Prophet Muhammad, propagation, Orientalists, allegations.

Abstrak

Para orientalis seperti Washington Irving dan Wilfred Cantwell Smith mereka dan merebak melalui tulisan mereka bahawa Islam disebarkan melalui pedang. Idea ini sekali lagi diungkit media selepas berlakunya kejadian 9/11. Para orientalis kelihatan tidak selesa dengan dakwaan ini kerana mereka tahu bahawa penaklukan politik rakyat melalui pedang adalah mungkin tetapi untuk memenangi hati rakyat dengan kekerasan adalah mustahil. Dari segi sejarah, pencapaian  Nabi Muhammad (saw) adalah transformasi keseluruhan manusia secara individu dan juga secara sosial dari semua sudut seperti kekeluargaan, sosial, ekonomi, budaya, intelektual, pendidikan, moral, politik, rohani dan lain-lain Banyak ulama yang terkenal sudah menyangkal dakwaan mengenai penyebaran Islam melalui pedang.. Kajian ini meneliti kepada satu lagi dimensi kepentingan pedang dalam budaya Arab. Ia juga cuba mengesan nilai sosio-budaya pedang dalam sejarah Semenanjung Arab.

Kata Kunci: Islam, Pedang, Nabi Muhammad, Penyebaran, Para Orientalis, Dakwaan.