Jihad
Religious Studies: KS3, topic 2.1.10
Jihad
The word Jihad is quite well known even to non-Muslims, who often associate it with acts of violence. It is often misunderstood, and so it is very important to understand its meaning properly.
Jihad
- The word Jihad is used often in the Qur’an and means ‘struggle’.
- This is the struggle that all people face to avoid wrongdoing.
- The Qur’an teaches that a Muslim must always struggle to live a life that is pleasing to Allah.
- Muslims make a distinction between the Greater and the Lesser Jihad.
Greater jihad
- Greater jihad is the most important struggle.
- It is the struggle to avoid temptation and to live according to the will of Allah.
- Islam, like many religions, believes that human beings are often tempted to live an easy life by satisfying personal desires.
- This can make people more likely to sin because they lose self-discipline and the strength to resist evil.
Greater jihad (cont.)
- The struggle of the greater jihad is therefore a daily struggle to do what is right even when it is hard.
- This might involve giving time to others and doing what we are told rather than what we want to do.
- It is called the greater jihad because Muslims believe if they lose this battle they risk the disfavour and punishment of Allah.
- And potentially the loss of eternal life in paradise.
Lesser jihad
- Lesser Jihad is translated as Holy War.
- Muslims believe they must be free to practice their religion. As with other religions, Muslims have faced persecution. Sometimes, they had to fight to survive.
- This was the experience of Muhammad and the early Muslim community in their struggle against the Meccans.
- Some conditions must be met before a fight can take place.
- Lesser jihad can only be in defense of Islam, aiming to achieve peace.
- In war, Muslims must avoid harm as much as possible, and show mercy.
Misrepresenting jihad
- There are some Muslims who have misinterpreted the teaching about Jihad.
- Jihad has been used to justify terrorism and unprovoked violence.
- Examples in the modern world include Al Qaeda and ISIS.
- They say that their faith is under constant attack from other nations, who are therefore enemies of Islam.
Misrepresenting jihad (cont.)
- Others who misrepresent jihad say they Allah commanded them to convert the world to Islam, by force if necessary.
- To justify these actions, they tend to rely on a literal reading of the Qur’an.
- Most Muslim scholars say that the Qur’an needs to be properly interpreted and that Islam is a religion of peace.
- By far the vast majority of Muslims do not support the extremist understanding of Jihad.
Test yourself on Jihad
What is Lesser Jihad often translated as?