What is Jihad according to the Quran and Sunnah?

Question

I know this question had been asked before but none of the answers are very convincing or accurate. I don't want your opinions or what you think jihad is. Therefore when you answer, please provides the quotes from the Quran, the exact passage, ayat, verse, etc.

Biomimetik: Although you did provide the exact quotes and passages and I'm incline to choose yours as best answer, however, you did a very poor job in explaining Jihad. None of your quotes contain the term Jihad in them! And those quotes aren't the quotes related to Jihad although they are from the Quran. I'll make yours best answer if you get the right quotes.

Realcharm: Although what you say is true, that many ppl (muslims and non-muslims) do not understand the term jihad, your explanation, I'm sorry, isn't exactly satisfying. Please provide explanation directly from Quran and/or the various Sahih Hadiths. Cutting and pasting opinions from islamic website just isn't convincing enough.

Answer 1

ali,

I HATE TO COPY AND PASTE BUT THIS IS FROM JIHADWATCH.COM:

Jihad (in Arabic, "struggle") is a central duty of every Muslim. Modern Muslim theologians have spoken of many things as jihads: the struggle within the soul, defending the faith from critics, supporting its growth and defense financially, even migrating to non-Muslim lands for the purpose of spreading Islam. But violent jihad is a constant of Islamic history. Many passages of the Qur'an and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad are used by jihad warriors today to justify their actions and gain new recruits. No major Muslim group has ever repudiated the doctrines of armed jihad. The theology of jihad, which denies unbelievers equality of human rights and dignity, is available today for anyone with the will and means to bring it to life.

Answer 2

One of the greatest misconceptions about Islam, not only amongst the non-Muslims but even amongst the Muslims, is that concerning the concept of Jihad. Non-Muslims as well as Muslims think that any war fought by any Muslim for whatever purpose, be it good or bad, is Jihad.

‘Jihad’ is an Arabic word derived from ‘Jahada’, which means to strive or to struggle. For example. if a student strives to pass in the examination he is doing jihad.

In the Islamic context, ‘Jihad’ means to strive against one’s own evil inclination. It also means to strive to make the society better. It also includes the right to fight in self-defence or to fight in the battlefield against oppression and against aggression.


For Complete Answer Please Check This WebPage:
http://www.islamawareness.net/Hinduism/ZakirNaik/part9.html

Answer 3

Jihad: "the moral obligation of Muslims to fight against wrong or defend other Muslims from injustice"
In the Qur'an it means "holy war" or "holy struggle". . . . "But struggle against whom? War against what?
These words are perverted by Muslims who use teachings of the prophet to justify monstrous deeds.
Anis Ahmad - a leading religious scholar says: Jihad is word signifying the struggle of good against evil. Modern Muslims take it to mean that an individual should constantly strive to be a better person, struggle to follow the peaceful precepts of Islam, or deeply commit oneself to a worthy social cause as for example fighting disease and poverty.

Answer 4

You want quotes and I do not have them you can check out multpli website by typing in jihad. I have heard that a holy jihad is a call to war.

Answer 5

jihad is when someone tries to completely(all aspects of islam) stop you from practicing your religion(islam).but since there is freedom of religion in the world today there is no need for it.

but there is another type of jihad which is called inner jihad which is when a person tries to force them self to do something
example:if you want to start a diet but its hard for you.the struggle that you go through in trying to stick with the diet is considered jihad.

Answer 6

the definition of Jihad : self-control, but also holy war

Answer 7

Hi
First you must know FOUR things:
First : the Qur'an from god "Allah" and was given to the Prophet in pieces over a period spanning approximately 23 years (610 CE to 622 CE). So it can't be found any difference between the prophet's saying (Hadeeth), his daily behaviors AND the Qur'an. It is logic, agree?
Second : to read Qur'an you must read (1) the meaning of the words "the explanation" (2) the reasons of ( tanzeel ) it means every part in Qur'an come from god in particular situation. And others not. So there are many stories. And these stories help you to understand why these particular chapters of Qur'an were told by the prophet.
Third : when you read any part in Qur'an you must read the previous and next part " aya" to get the all point. You can't judge someone without read all his papers to make a fair judgment. right?
Fourth : it will be great if you can read Arabic, to understand the real meaning of the words , because the translation not always give the right meaning.

002.193
YUSUFALI: And fight them on until there is no more Tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, Let there be no hostility except to those who practise oppression.
PICKTHAL: And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against wrong-doers.
SHAKIR: And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors.

002.194
YUSUFALI: The prohibited month for the prohibited month,- and so for all things prohibited,- there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, Transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.
PICKTHAL: The forbidden month for the forbidden month, and forbidden things in retaliation. And one who attacketh you, attack him in like manner as he attacked you. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is with those who ward off (evil).
SHAKIR: The Sacred month for the sacred month and all sacred things are (under the law of) retaliation; whoever then acts aggressively against you, inflict injury on him according to the injury he has inflicted on you and be careful (of your duty) to Allah and know that Allah is with those who guard (against evil).

I want to till you when god " allah " till fight it means ; we are not going to begin, just if the enemy begin to fight , the Moslems must reply .
And that what really happened with the prophet , except little fights, and that's only if there was treachery and perfidiousness.
For example: when Jews brook up their agreement with the prophet and made a new one with the enemy. the prophet begin fighting them with the order of "allah". and the prophet said to their companions to not fight them in the morning for not making the children and women get panic.

Answer 8

Jihad has been classified either as al-jihād al-akbar (the greater jihad), the struggle against one's soul (nafs), or al-jihād al-asghar (the lesser jihad), the external, physical effort, often implying fighting.

Muslim scholars explained there are five kinds of jihad fi sabilillah (struggle in the cause of God) [1]:

Jihad of the heart/soul (jihad bin nafs/qalb) is an inner struggle of good against evil in the mind, through concepts such as tawhid.
Jihad by the tongue (jihad bil lisan) is a struggle of good against evil waged by writing and speech, such as in the form of dawah (proselytizing), Khutbas (sermons), and political or military propaganda.
Jihad by the pen and knowledge (jihad bil qalam/ilm) is a struggle for good against evil through scholarly study of Islam, ijtihad (legal reasoning), and through sciences (such as military and medical sciences).
Jihad by the hand (jihad bil yad) refers to a struggle of good against evil waged by actions or with one's wealth, such as going on the Hajj pilgrimage (seen as the best jihad for women), taking care of elderly parents, providing funding for jihad, political activity for furthering the cause of Islam, stopping evil by force, or espionage.
Jihad by the sword (jihad bis saif) refers to qital fi sabilillah (armed fighting in the way of God, or holy war).
Jihad of peace refers to the struggle to make peace in the world, everywhere and anywhere, in order to improve the image of Islam and thus spread Islam. Only peaceful methods are allowed in this strategic interpretation of jihad.

Answer 9

Jihad, as presented in the Qur'an implies the striving towards the ideal. This jihad, particularly involves change in one's self and mentality. It may concern the sacrifice of material property, social class constraints, and even emotional comfort, solely for, salvation and the worship of God alone. As a result, one who practices jihad will gain inward peace in this world and reward in the hereafter.

The Qur'an says what means

*{The Hereafter is far better for you than this first [life].}* ( Ad-Duha 4:93)

Also, the Qur'an says what means
*{Say: “O my people, do your best, and so will I. You will surely find out who the ultimate victors are.” Certainly, the wicked will never succeed.}*( Al-An`am 6:135)

Jihad involves noticeable effort for righteousness. This means that the effort concentrated in jihad is a step in the true and ultimate path of Islam: the effort addressed to the benefit of one's self. Thus, jihad on this level is individual and self-centered. It aims at purification of the soul. This effort is simply doing good and seeking divine mercy and the pardon of Allah.

The Qur'an points this out by saying what means

*{ The day will come when every soul will serve as its own advocate, and every soul will be paid fully for whatever it had done, without the least injustice.}* (An-Nahl 16:11)

Also:

*{The day will come when each soul will find all the good works it had done brought forth. As for the evil works, it will wish that they were far, far removed. God alerts you that you shall reverence Him alone. God is Compassionate towards the people.}* (Aal `Imran 3:30)
In respect to the above Qur'anic verses, God tells the believers that all acts will reflect the soul of their authors. Examples of this jihad would be to exceed in doing sincerely good deeds, frequenting the mosques, studying the scripture in details,
helping the poor and the orphans, standing for people's right for freedom, being equitable, never bearing false witness, staying in good terms with friends and neighbors: etc.) and to restrain from committing sins (adultery, stealing, lying, cheating, insulting people, gossiping, etc.);This is clarified in the Qur'an :

*{As for those who lead a righteous life, male or female, while believing, they enter Paradise; without the slightest injustice.}* ( An-Nisaa' 4:124)

The previous Qur'anic verse highlights the meaning of jihad and its role. It has also mentioned the importance of the sincerity when it is practiced. Jihad puts emphasis on the individual accountability and the weight of the individual striving in man’s relation with Allah.

Jihad and Justice:

Jihad also includes striving for and establishing justice. Before someone can strive for justice in their community, justice must be one of their main religious and moral principles.

Jihad may also reflect the position of Islam regarding crisis management and enforcement of humanitarian international laws. Fighting a war in the name of justice or Islam - to deter an aggressor, for self-defense, or to establish justice and freedom to practice religion - would also be considered jihad.

The Qur'an says what means

*{You shall strive for the cause of God as you should strive for His cause.}* (Al-Hajj 22:78)

The previous Qur'anic verse incites man to strive in the cause of God. The cause of God is justice and freedom for all, maintaining the Qur'anic principle *{No compulsion in religion}* (Al-Baqarah 2:256).

The Qur'an also says what means
*{As for those who lead a righteous life, male or female, while believing, they enter Paradise; without the slightest injustice.}* (An-Nisaa' 4:124)

*{Never indeed, by your Lord; they are not believers unless they come to you to judge in their disputes, then find no hesitation in their hearts whatsoever in accepting your judgment. They must submit a total submission.}* (An-Nisaa' 4:65)

*{O you who believe, you shall be absolutely equitable, and observe God, when you serve as witnesses, even against yourselves, or your parents, or your relatives. Whether the accused is rich or poor, God takes care of both. Therefore, do not be biased by your personal wishes. If you deviate or disregard [this commandment], then God is Fully Cognizant of everything you do.}* (An-Nisaa' 4:135)

Since this verse shows that God accepts only justice, fighting in the name of God is fighting in the name of justice. But, contrary to many people's interpretation, jihad is anything but a "holy" war.