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Jihad Explained

In the linguistic sense, the Arabic word "jihad" means struggling or striving
and applies to any effort exerted by anyone. In this sense a student struggles
and strives to get an education and pass course work; an employee strives to
fulfill his/her job and maintain good relations with his/her employer; a
politician strives to maintain or increase his popularity with his constituents
and so on. The term strive or struggle may be used for/by Muslims as well
non-Muslims; for example, Allah, One and Only True God says in the Qur'an:" We
have enjoined on people kindness to parents; but if they strive (jahadaka) to
make you ascribe partners with Me that of which you have no knowledge, then obey
them not..." (Qur'an 29:8, also see 31:15).

In the above two verses of the Qur'an, it is non-Muslim parents who strive
(jahada) to convert their Muslim child back to their religion.

In the West, "jihad" is generally translated as "holy war", a usage the media
has popularized. According to Islamic teachings, it is unholy to instigate or
start war; however, some wars are inevitable and justifiable. If we translate
the words "holy war" back into Arabic we find "harbun muqaddasatun", or for "the
holy war", "al-harbu al-muqaddasatu". We challenge any researcher or scholar to
find the meaning of "jihad" as holy war in the Qur'an or authentic Hadith
collections or in early Islamic literature. Unfortunately, some Muslim writers
and translators of the Qur'an, the Hadith and other Islamic literature translate
the term "jihad" as "holy war", due to the influence of centuries-old Western
propaganda. This could be a reflection of the Christian use of the term "Holy
War" to refer to the Crusades of a thousand years ago. However, the Arabic words
for "war" are "harb" or "qital", which are found in the Qur'an and Hadith.

For Muslims the term jihad is applied to all forms of striving and has developed
some special meanings over time. The sources of this development are the Qur'an
(the Word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad) and the Hadith (teachings of
Prophet Muhammad. The Qur'an and the Hadith use the word "jihad" in several
different contexts which are given below:

1. Recognizing the Creator and loving Him most.
It is human nature to love what is seen with the eyes and felt with the senses
more than the UNSEEN REALITY. The Creator of the Universe and the One God is
Allah. He is the Unseen Reality which we tend to ignore and not recognize. The
Qur'an addresses those who claim to be believers:" O you who believe! Choose not
your fathers nor your brethren for protectors if they love disbelief over
belief; whoever of you takes them for protectors, such are wrong-doers. Say: if
your fathers, and your children, and your brethren, and your spouses, and your
tribe, and the wealth you have acquired, and business for which you fear
shrinkage, and houses you are pleased with are dearer to you than Allah and His
Messenger and striving in His way: then wait till Allah brings His command to
pass. Allah does not guide disobedient folk" (Qur'an 9:23,24).

It is indeed a struggle to put Allah ahead of our loved ones, our wealth, our
worldly ambitions and our own lives. Especially for a non-Muslim who embraces
Islam, it may be a tough struggle due to the opposition of his family, peers and
society.

2. Resisting pressure of parents, peers and society.
Once a person has made up his mind to put the Creator of the Universe above all
else, he often comes under intense pressures. It is not easy to resist such
pressures and strive to maintain dedication and love of Allah over all else. A
person who has turned to Islam from another religion may be subjected to
pressures designed to turn him back to the religion of the family. We read in
the Qur'an:" So obey not the rejecters of faith, but strive (jahidhum) against
them by it (the Qur'an) with a great endeavor" (Qur'an 25:52).


3. Staying on the straight path steadfastly.
Allah says in the Qur'an:" And strive (jahidu) for Allah with the endeavor
(jihadihi) which is His right. He has chosen you and has not laid upon you in
the deen (religion) any hardship ..." (Qur'an 22:78). " And whosoever strives
(jahada), strives (yujahidu) only for himself, for lo! Allah is altogether
independent of the universe" (Qur'an 29:6).


As for those who strive and struggle to live as true Muslims whose lives are
made difficult due to persecution by their opponents, they are advised to
migrate to a more peaceful and tolerant land and continue with their struggle in
the cause of Allah. Allah says in the Qur'an:" Lo! As for those whom the angels
take (in death) while they wronged themselves, (the angels) will ask: in what
you were engaged? They will say: we were oppressed in the land. (The angels)
will say: was not Allah's earth spacious that you could have migrated therein?
..." (Qur'an 4:97). " Lo! those who believe, and those who emigrate (to escape
persecution) and strive (jahadu) in the way of Allah, these have hope of Allah's
mercy ..." (Qur'an 2:218).
Allah tests the believers in their faith and their steadfastness:" Or did you
think that you would enter Paradise while yet Allah knows not those of you who
really strive (jahadu), nor knows those (of you) who are steadfast" (Qur'an
3:142). " And surely We shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and
loss of wealth and lives and fruits; but give glad tidings to the steadfast"
(Qur'an 2:155).
We find that the Prophet Muhammad and his clan were boycotted socially and
economically for three years to force him to stop his message and compromise
with the pagans but he resisted and realized a moral victory.

4. Striving for righteous deeds.
Allah declares in the Qur'an:" As for those who strive (jahadu) in Us (the cause
of Allah), We surely guide them to Our paths, and lo! Allah is with the good
doers" (Qur'an 29:69).

When we are faced with two competing interests, it becomes jihad to choose the
right one, as the following Hadith exemplify.
Aisha, wife of the Prophet asked, " O Messenger of Allah, we see jihad as the
best of deeds, so shouldn't we join it? He replied: But, the best of jihad is a
perfect hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah)" ).

At another occasion a man asked the Prophet Muhammad:" Should I join the jihad?
He asked: Do you have parents? The man said: Yes! The Prophet said: then strive
by (serving) them! .

Yet another man asked the Messenger of Allah:" What kind of jihad is better? He
replied: A word of truth in front of an oppressive ruler!" .

The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad said:" ... the mujahid (one who carries out
jihad) is he who strives against himself for the sake of obeying Allah, and the
muhajir (one who emigrates) is he who abandons evil deeds and sin" (Sahih

5. Having courage and steadfastness to convey the message of Islam.
The Qur'an narrates the experiences of a large number of Prophets and good
people who suffered a great deal trying to convey the message of Allah to
mankind. For examples see the Qur'an 26:1-190, 36:13-32. In the Qur'an, Allah
specifically praises those who strive to convey His message:" Who is better in
speech than one who calls (other people) to Allah, works righteous, and declares
that he is from the Muslims" (41:33).

Under adverse conditions it takes great courage to remain a Muslim, declare
oneself to be a Muslim and call others to Islam. We read in the Qur'an:" The
(true) believers are only those who believe in Allah and his messenger and
afterward doubt not, but strive with their wealth and their selves for the cause
of Allah. Such are the truthful" (49:15).

6. Defending Islam and the community.
Allah declares in the Qur'an:" To those against whom war is made, permission is
given (to defend themselves), because they are wronged - and verily, Allah is
Most Powerful to give them victory - (they are) those who have been expelled
from their homes in defiance of right - (for no cause) except that they say,
'Our Lord is Allah...." (Qur'an 22:39-40).

The Qur'an permits fighting to defend the religion of Islam and the Muslims.
This permission includes fighting in self defense and for the protection of
family and property. The early Muslims fought many battles against their enemies
under the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad or his representatives. For
example, when the pagans of Quraysh brought armies against Prophet Muhammad, the
Muslims fought to defend their faith and community. The Qur'an adds:" Fight in
the cause of Allah against those who fight against you, but do not transgress
limits. Lo! Allah loves not aggressors. ... And fight them until persecution is
no more, and religion is for Allah. But if they desist, then let there be no
hostility except against transgressors" (2:190,193).

7. Helping allied people who may not be Muslim.
In the late period of the Prophet Muhammad's life the tribe of Banu Khuza'ah
became his ally. They were living near Makkah which was under the rule of the
pagan Quraysh, Prophet Muhammad's own tribe. The tribe of Banu Bakr, an ally of
Quraysh, with the help of some elements of Quraysh, attacked Banu Khuza'ah and
inflicted heavy damage. Banu Khuza'ah invoked the treaty and demanded Prophet
Muhammad to come to their help and punish Quraysh. The Prophet Muhammad
organized a campaign against Quraysh of Makkah which resulted in the conquest of
Makkah which occured without any battle.

8. Removing treacherous people from power.
Allah orders the Muslims in the Qur'an:" If you fear treachery from any group,
throw back (their treaty) to them, (so as to be) on equal terms. Lo! Allah loves
not the treacherous" (8:58).
Prophet Muhammad undertook a number of armed campaigns to remove treacherous
people from power and their lodgings. He had entered into pacts with several
tribes, however, some of them proved themselves treacherous. Prophet Muhammad
launched armed campaigns against these tribes, defeated and exiled them from
Medina and its surroundings.

9. Defending through preemptive strikes.
Indeed, it is difficult to mobilize people to fight when they see no invaders in
their territory; however, those who are charged with responsibility see dangers
ahead of time and must provide leadership. The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad, had
the responsibility to protect his people and the religion he established in
Arabia. Whenever he received intelligence reports about enemies gathering near
his borders he carried out preemptive strikes, broke their power and dispersed
them. Allah ordered Muslims in the Qur'an:" Fighting is prescribed upon you, and
you dislike it. But it may happen that you dislike a thing which is good for
you, and it may happen that you love a thing which is bad for you. And Allah
knows and you know not" (2:216).

10. Gaining freedom to inform, educate and convey the message of Islam in an
open and free environment.
Allah declares in the Qur'an:" They ask you (Muhammad) concerning fighting in
the Sacred Month. Say, 'Fighting therein is a grave (offense) but graver is it
in the sight of Allah to prevent access to the path of Allah, to deny Him, to
prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, and drive out its inhabitants. Persecution
is worse than killing. Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn you back
from your faith, if they can. ..." (Qur'an 2:217). " And those who, when an
oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) fight back" (Qur'an
42:39).

To gain this freedom, Prophet Muhammad said:" Strive (jahidu) against the
disbelievers with your hands and tongues" .

The life of the Prophet Muhammad was full of striving to gain the freedom to
inform and convey the message of Islam. During his stay in Makkah he used
non-violent methods and after the establishment of his government in Madinah, by
the permission of Allah, he used armed struggle against his enemies whenever he
found it inevitable.

11. Freeing people from tyranny.
Allah admonishes Muslims in the Qur'an:" And why should you not fight in the
cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? -
Men, women, and children, whose cry is: 'Our Lord! Rescue us from this town,
whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from You, one who will protect;
and raise for us from You, one who will help'" (Qur'an 4:75).
The mission of the Prophet Muhammad was to free people from tyranny and
exploitation by oppressive systems. Once free, individuals in the society were
then free to chose Islam or not. Prophet Muhammad's successors continued in his
footsteps and went to help oppressed people. For example, after the repeated
call by the oppressed people of Spain to the Muslims for help, Spain was
liberated by Muslim forces and the tyrant rulers removed. After the conquest of
Syria and Iraq by the Muslims, the Christian population of Hims reportedly said
to the Muslims:" We like your rule and justice far better than the state of
oppression and tyranny under which we have been living".
The defeated rulers of Syria were Roman Christians and Iraq was ruled by
Zoarastrian Persians.



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