What Is Jihad?
The term jihad comes from an Arabic verb meaning to “struggle” or “strive” and has historically had complex meanings. The concept of jihad is often distorted in contemporary Western media.
In general, the terra jihad means exerting oneself in the name of God. Jihad can refer to several types of struggle on both personal and social levels. The term is used only rarely in the Qur’an, and nowhere is it explicitly linked to armed struggle. Rather, it was early in Islamic history that the term became associated with defensive military endeavors against the enemies of the growing Muslim community. Some Muslim groups both today and throughout histoiy have called for a military jihad against nonbelievers, even out of the context of defense of the Muslim community. You can see how the term is used in different verses of the Qur’an:O Believers, go out in the cause of God, (whether) light or heavy, and strive (jihad) in the service of God, wealth and soul. This is better for you if you understand.
-9:41
And strive (jihad) in the way of God with a service worthy of Him. He has chosen you and laid no hardship on you in the way of faith, the faith of your forebear Abraham. He named you Muslim earlier, and in this (Qur’an) in order that the Prophet be witness over you, and you be witness over mankind. So be firm in devotion, pay the zakat, and hold on firmly to God. He is your friend: How excellent a friend is He, how excellent a helper!
—22:78
So do not listen to unbelievers and strive (jihad) against them with greater effort.
-25:52
Muslims often refer to the greater jihad as one’s struggle to become a better person by striving against one’s own sinful tendencies and to live in accordance with the will of God. Although we often see the term jihad translated into English as “holy war,” Muslims regard the military connotations of the term as the lesser jihad. The idea of “greater and lesser” jihad comes from the hadith literature. Muhammad is reported to have said, upon returning home from a battle, “We return from the little jihad to the greater jihad.”