Jihad is the use of all energies and resources to establish divine shaaria on earth in order to gain Allah's favour. The word jihad means to try one's utmost. It is the belief that the world will become a better place to live, and that each person has the power of aiding its betterment. The conditions at any given time, whether good or bad, can be improved, changed, adjusted or reconstructed, according to the ideal model established by the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). Jihad is not necessarily war. War in Islam is the exception rather than the rule, although there are circumstances under which war is unavoidable.  

Jihad is primarily self-discipline and self-evaluation, and Muslims strive hard to achieve this. It is a personal goal which Muslims try to achieve (jihad within themsleves), and is the basis for establishing maruf (goodliness) and removing munkar (evilness) from their lives and from the environment. Muslims wish to see truth prevail and untruth vanish. The method of jihad is the one practised by the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). Muhammad (s.a.w.) distinguished between two different kinds of jihad: minor jihad - which is war in self defense, and major jihad - which is self discipline and self evaaluation.  

The duty of a Muslim is to carry out Allah's commands and to live the life of halal. If he does, he will deserve Allah's recognition as a truly faithful believer as stated in the Quran.  

You are the best of the Ummah. You have been raised for makind so that you command what is right and forbid what is evil and believe in Allah. (3:110)  

The objective of jihad is to practise what we say. Allah does not like those whose words and deeds are not the same. As He says in the Quran:  

Why do you ask of others the right conduct and you yourselves forget? (2:44)  

Allah also says, elsewhere in the Quran:  

O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not? It is most hateful to Allah that you say that which you do not practise. (62:2-3) 
 
.