9.1 The Meaning of Jihad and Its Concept

How often do you hear the word jihad in your life? Do you really understand its meaning and quests? Let's discuss what jihad actually is.

Literally, jihad is derived from an Arabic "جهد", which means to strive, to struggle, to exert oneself. Technically (from the shari'ah definition), it means striving for Islam by struggling verbally, in writing, or with the help of arms. Jihad is a tool to defend the Truth by using all God-given physical and mental faculties for the cause of Islam. For example, a student who struggles in seeking knowledge or an officer who works hard in maintaining good job are doing a jihad if it fulfills the requirement of jihad such as ikhlas and right intention.


Do you know how many times Allah SWT mentioned the word jihad in Al-Quran? The term 'jihad' appears 36 times in the Qur'an referring to all kinds of instances of moral-ethical struggle as well as armed struggle. The believer is asked by Allah to overcome his own destructive desires, overcome obstacles that lie between him and Islam, establish a Muslim community where Muslim law and justice is practiced and many others.

9.1 The Meaning of Jihad and Its Concept

There are also jihad in of the soul, the tongue, the pen, or the sword is "in the way of Allah" (fi sabil-'illah). The armed struggle in jihad is called 'qital', i.e. fighting by using arms in warfare.

Jihad in the sense of moral struggle against sin and injustice is a duty for Muslim, either an individual obligation (fard 'ayn) or an obligation shared by the community (fard kifayah). Armed struggle (qital) is also obligatory, namely when home territory has to be defended from invading enemies (duty of all), or when fellow Muslims are attacked and need help (duty of some), or new Muslim rule can be established somewhere else. In order for anyone's struggle be accepted as jihad it has to fulfill the following conditions:

a.

right intention (for the sake of Allah, act of worship).

b.

not contradictory to the shari'ah.

c.

according to principles established in the Qur'an and Sunnah.