Understandings of Jihad

• Jihad


  One of the most important aspects of Islam, after the main beliefs
• Meanings of jihad


  • Greater jihad
  • Lesser jihad
  • Jihad of the tongue
  • Jihad of the sword
• Military jihad


  Used in the time of Muhammad as a defensive war under certain conditions
• The term jihad has been used controversially by Muslims in some parts of the world

  Leading to the question of its relevance
• During the life of Muhammad


  1. He called on Muslims to wage jihad

  2. To oppose the Makkans

  3. To take part in the Battle of Badr
• In the history of Islam, Muslim Caliphs expanded the Islamic Empire and sometimes called their military activities jihads, or holy wars, done in the name of Islam
• The Qur'an insists that no one can be forced to become a Muslim
• Muhammad strived for Islam and most of the time that was through doing peaceful activities and building up the strength of the Muslims
• Striving peacefully


  Also a jihad
• Other meanings of jihad

  • Jihad of the tongue (talking and persuading others)
  • Jihad of the nafs (inner jihad or struggle with the ego and the struggle to avoid temptation and follow the commands of Islam)
• Modern day acts of terrorism have been committed by some people of Muslim background who claim to be doing so for Islam
• These have received widespread coverage in the media giving the impression that military or lesser jihad is a feature of Islam today, despite the protests of a great majority of Muslims that such acts were done 'not in my name'
• Scholars such as Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri have written about the true meaning of lesser jihad and the very limited circumstances that it might be carried out: as a last resort, in defence, called by a Muslim ruler; not involving women and children or weapons of mass destruction
• Some rule out lesser jihad nowadays
• Others saw the struggle against imperialism and then the Arab Spring as a jihad against oppression