Meaning of Jihad- 1

The term JIHAD is an Arabic word, from the root word Jahada, meaning "to endeavor," "to strive" or "to struggle," in other words ‘to strive for a better way of life’. The nouns are Juhd, Mujaahid, Jihaad, and Ijtihaad. The other meanings are: endeavor, strain, exertion, effort, and diligence, fighting to defend one's life, land, and religion. 

Referring to a Hadith of the Prophet Muhammed:

"Once, having returned from one of his campaigns, the Prophet said: 'We have now returned from the lesser Jihad'." The tradition adds that the companions asked: "What is the greater Jihad?" and the Prophet answered: "The struggle against one's evil inclination." This is the deeper and more personal aspect of Jihad, which by its very is an inner struggle for "holy peace," as opposed to the outer physical struggle for "holy war." To attain real peace one first must undergo a real struggle that begins from within.

Another Hadeeth says:

"The best Jihaad is (by) the one who strives against his own self for Allah, The Mighty and Majestic." [Tabarani]

The translation of  "jihad" as "holy war," was popularised by the orientalists. Unfortunately, some Muslim writers and translators of the Qur'an, the Hadith and other Islamic literature under the influence of this centuries old mis-interpretaton or propaganda have translated the term "jihad" as "holy war". In fact, there is no meaning of "jihad" as holy war in the Qur'an or authentic Hadith collections or in early Islamic literature. 

This could be an adoption of the Christian use of the term "Holy War" referring to the Crusades. However, the Arabic words for "war" are "harb" or "qital," which are found in the Qur'an and Hadith. If we translate the words "holy war" back into Arabic, we find "harbun muqaddasatu," or for "the holy war," "al-harbu al-muqaddasatu."  

In the linguistic sense, the Arabic word "jihad" means struggling or striving and applies to any effort exerted by anyone. 

"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..." [The Holy Quran, Al Baqarah (The Cow) 2:218]

"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." [The Holy Quran, Ali 'Imran (The Family of Imran) 3:142]

"And strive (Jadihu) 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..." [The Holy Quran, Al Hajj (The Pilgrimage) 22:78]

"So obey not the disbelievers, but make a great Jihaad (effort) against them (by preaching) with it (the Qur'aan)" [Al-Furqaan (The Criteriaon) 25:52]

"And whosoever strives (Jahada), strives (yujahidu) only for himself, for lo! Allah is altogether independent of the universe." [The Holy Quran, Al 'Ankabult (The Spider) 29:6]

The term strive or struggle may be used for/by Muslims as well as non-Muslims; for example, Allah 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..." [The Holy Quran, Al 'Ankabut  (The Spider) 29:8] 

the above verse of the Qur'an advices reverts to Islam and refers their non-Muslim parents who strive (jahadaka) to convert their Muslim child back to their religion. 

"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." [The Holy Quran, Al 'Ankabut  (The Spider) 29:69] 

We also refer to following Hadiths:

"Aisha, wife of the Prophet(S) 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).'" (Sahih Al-Bukhari, No. 2784) 

At another occasion, a man asked the Prophet Muhammad(S): 

"'Should I join the jihad?' He asked, 'Do you have parents?' The man said, 'Yes!' The Prophet(S) said, 'Then strive by serving them!'" (Sahih Al-Bukhari, No. 5972) 

Yet another man asked the Messenger of Allah(S): 

"'What kind of jihad is better?' He replied, 'A word of truth in front of an oppressive ruler!'" (Sunan Al-Nasa'i , No. 4209) 

The Messenger of Allah(S) said: 

"...the Mujahid (one who carries out jihad) is he who strives against himself for the sake of Allah, and the Muhajir (one who emigrates) is he who abandons evil deeds and sin." (Sahih Ibn Hibbanm, No. 4862) 


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