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What Is The Meaning Of Jihad?

There is, perhaps, no term today that is more misunderstood than the term "jihad". Nowadays, the word jihad has solely come to signify "holy war", terrorism, or the mass murder of innocent people. However, what is jihad really about and what is its correct meaning? The term jihad is in fact derived from the Arabic verb "jahada", which linguistically means to strive or struggle. In Islam, however, jihad means to exhaust utmost effort striving to please God. This, unsurprisingly, includes fighting, as fighting is a form of struggle. In fact, majority of the time the term jihad is mentioned in the Qur'an it means "fighting in the way of God" (for His sake), and to make His Word the highest. The one who engages in jihad is called a mujaahid; the plural is mujaahideen.

Jihad is a very important part of Islam. Unlike Christians, Muslims do not believe in the idea of "love thy enemy" or turning the other cheek when we are attacked. Instead, we believe in the divine principle, "fight those who fight you." This general guideline and rule agrees with our human nature and survival instinct. That is because it is only natural for one to retaliate against aggression and defend one's life, property and wealth from any external attack.

Sadly, this basic human right - the right to defend oneself - is nowadays denied to Muslims by modern-day democracies and so-called free nations, such as Britain and the USA. This is clearly evident in the fact that Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Chechnya and Kashmir who are resisting the brutal occupation of their lands are continually branded and portrayed as terrorists and violent extremists by Western powers.

On top of this, any Muslim in the West that has the fortitude to condemn the evil actions of Coalition forces is similarly branded as a "terrorist sympathiser" or accused of "glorifying terrorism" for believing in the right of Muslims to defend their land from occupation. It is not even allowed for us to discuss the causes of 9/11 or 7/7 - in order to gain lessons - without fear of being labelled a terrorist fanatic.

The irony of this situation is that if tomorrow Britain is under occupation, every Briton would consider it their right, without any question, to fight for their country and defend their land, even if such actions were deemed terrorism by other nations.

So, in summary, jihad does not translate as "holy war" or the killing of innocent people. It is to strive, with utmost effort, to please God and fight in His way. It is famously reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The best form of jihad is to speak the truth in the face of a tyrant ruler."(Abu Daawud and Al-Tirmidhi)

The greatest tyrants today are those who prefer the rule of man over the laws of God (Sharia law). Jihad and the establishment of Sharia law on earth are the only two things which will unite all people, of all races, and rid the world of oppression, poverty and corruption for good.

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11y ago
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11y ago

There is, perhaps, no term today that is more misunderstood than the term "jihad". Nowadays, the word jihad has solely come to signify "holy war", terrorism, or the mass murder of innocent people. However, what is jihad really about and what is its correct meaning? The term jihad is in fact derived from the Arabic verb "jahada", which linguistically means to strive or struggle. In Islam, however, jihad means to exhaust utmost effort striving to please God. This, unsurprisingly, includes fighting, as fighting is a form of struggle. In fact, majority of the time the term jihad is mentioned in the Qur'an it means "fighting in the way of God" (for His sake), and to make His Word the highest. The one who engages in jihad is called a mujaahid; the plural is mujaahideen.

Jihad is a very important part of Islam. Unlike Christians, Muslims do not believe in the idea of "love thy enemy" or turning the other cheek when we are attacked. Instead, we believe in the divine principle, "fight those who fight you." This general guideline and rule agrees with our human nature and survival instinct. That is because it is only natural for one to retaliate against aggression and defend one's life, property and wealth from any external attack.

Sadly, this basic human right - the right to defend oneself - is nowadays denied to Muslims by modern-day democracies and so-called free nations, such as Britain and the USA. This is clearly evident in the fact that Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Chechnya and Kashmir who are resisting the brutal occupation of their lands are continually branded and portrayed as terrorists and violent extremists by Western powers.

On top of this, any Muslim in the West that has the fortitude to condemn the evil actions of Coalition forces is similarly branded as a "terrorist sympathiser" or accused of "glorifying terrorism" for believing in the right of Muslims to defend their land from occupation. It is not even allowed for us to discuss the causes of 9/11 or 7/7 - in order to gain lessons - without fear of being labelled a terrorist fanatic.

The irony of this situation is that if tomorrow Britain is under occupation, every Briton would consider it their right, without any question, to fight for their country and defend their land, even if such actions were deemed terrorism by other nations.

So, in summary, jihad does not translate as "holy war" or the killing of innocent people. It is to strive, with utmost effort, to please God and fight in His way. It is famously reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The best form of jihad is to speak the truth in the face of a tyrant ruler."(Abu Daawud and Al-Tirmidhi)

The greatest tyrants today are those who prefer the rule of man over the laws of God (Sharia law). Jihad and the establishment of Sharia law on earth are the only two things which will unite all people, of all races, and rid the world of oppression, poverty and corruption for good.

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12y ago

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Though the word 'jihad' can refer to fighting a physical battle, it's fuller meanings go beyond that.

An Arabic word, 'jihad' means 'to strive'. Example: jaahad at-taalib fil madrassah. The student did strive in school. Here jihad is in the singular, past tense.

As an Islamic concept, 'jihad' means any effort, any striving which people may do in order to establish good and stop evil. It can take the form of speaking out in protest or in teaching, writing, voting, etc. It should be noted that this striving to do what is good applies to all people. For example, if some Christians or Jews are being oppressed unjustly - even if they are being oppressed by Muslims - then jihad would mean to work to stop the injustice. In other words, it applies even to non-Muslim people. It is the striving to establish what is right.

When jihad takes the form of physical fighting, it has to be within certain limits. First of all, true jihad cannot be terrorism. Those are opposite things. Also, true jihad cannot be for the purpose of converting people. Forced conversion is forbidden by the Qur'an. Finally, jihad cannot be an aggressive war for wealth, power or land.

refer to related questions below.

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11y ago

There is, perhaps, no term today that is more misunderstood than the term "jihad". Nowadays, the word jihad has solely come to signify "holy war", terrorism, or the mass murder of innocent people. However, what is jihad really about and what is its correct meaning? The term jihad is in fact derived from the Arabic verb "jahada", which linguistically means to strive or struggle. In Islam, however, jihad means to exhaust utmost effort striving to please God. This, unsurprisingly, includes fighting, as fighting is a form of struggle. In fact, majority of the time the term jihad is mentioned in the Qur'an it means "fighting in the way of God" (for His sake), and to make His Word the highest. The one who engages in jihad is called a mujaahid; the plural is mujaahideen.

Jihad is a very important part of Islam. Unlike Christians, Muslims do not believe in the idea of "love thy enemy" or turning the other cheek when we are attacked. Instead, we believe in the divine principle, "fight those who fight you." This general guideline and rule agrees with our human nature and survival instinct. That is because it is only natural for one to retaliate against aggression and defend one's life, property and wealth from any external attack.

Sadly, this basic human right - the right to defend oneself - is nowadays denied to Muslims by modern-day democracies and so-called free nations, such as Britain and the USA. This is clearly evident in the fact that Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Chechnya and Kashmir who are resisting the brutal occupation of their lands are continually branded and portrayed as terrorists and violent extremists by Western powers.

On top of this, any Muslim in the West that has the fortitude to condemn the evil actions of Coalition forces is similarly branded as a "terrorist sympathiser" or accused of "glorifying terrorism" for believing in the right of Muslims to defend their land from occupation. It is not even allowed for us to discuss the causes of 9/11 or 7/7 - in order to gain lessons - without fear of being labelled a terrorist fanatic.

The irony of this situation is that if tomorrow Britain is under occupation, every Briton would consider it their right, without any question, to fight for their country and defend their land, even if such actions were deemed terrorism by other nations.

So, in summary, jihad does not translate as "holy war" or the killing of innocent people. It is to strive, with utmost effort, to please God and fight in His way. It is famously reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The best form of jihad is to speak the truth in the face of a tyrant ruler."(Abu Daawud and Al-Tirmidhi)

The greatest tyrants today are those who prefer the rule of man over the laws of God (Sharia law). Jihad and the establishment of Sharia law on earth are the only two things which will unite all people, of all races, and rid the world of oppression, poverty and corruption for good.

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9y ago

Jihad literally means to strive.Jihad always refers to fighting the enemy.

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9y ago

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Q: In Arabic Jihad means
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Related questions

Is jihad a boy's name?

Yes, Jihad is used as male name. Jihad is an Arabic word that means struggle. Answer 2 No Jihad is not a name ,Mujahid (the person who does jihad) is a name for a male. Mujahida is for a female.


What does mujahiden mean?

People who are engaged in a jihad. "Jihad" means "struggle" in Arabic, so the struggle can be either physical or spiritual.


In Arabic what word means to struggle?

The Arabic word for struggle is Jihad.


How do you say jihad in arabic?

Jihad is an Arabic word and it is pronounced the same as it is in English.


Why jihad movement was failed?

No one can claim that Jihad failed. Jihad means in Arabic struggle. Jihad is a normal practice in our lives irrelevant to gender, race, or face. Every practices Jihad but could be for different reasons as getting better education, better job, a good wife or husband, good position, etc... Refer to question below.


How jihad starts?

Jihad has started since start of mankind. Jihad is an Arabic name that means struggle. you are in continuous struggle and strive against enemies and invaders as well as against yourself to avoid doing evil deeds. see related question below for more information.


What does a muslim do on jihad?

Jihad means 'Struggle'. Idiomatically it means striving in the way of Allah.


Is holy war an accurate translation of the Islamic term jihad?

No, it is not. The Arabic word jihad means to struggle. Various narrations from the Prophet Muhammad emphasize that a war is the lesser jihad, the greater one being the struggle against the temptations that we face in our lives. Refer to question below for more details on Islam.


Did Jihad refers to a holy war against enemies of Islam?

Jihad does not mean holy war. Jihad is an Arabic word that means struggle. All of us; irrelevant to faith or religion; do jihad (or struggle) for better life, better education, doing good deeds, avoid bad deeds or sayings. Also Jihad includes struggle against those who attack your lands, homes, or faith. Refer to question below.


What are Muslim holy wars called?

Jihad, the word itself comes from Arabic & is normally translated to mean "holy war." However, Jihad literally means "struggle,contest, effort," and can be equally applied to the internal struggle of the believer against sin.


What was jihad movement?

The Jihad Movement was a uniting force for Muslims. Jihad means fighting for Islam.And it was Successful.


Where does the word jihad come from?

It comes from the Arabic جهاد (jihād, meaning "struggle; effort").