Is a Jihad part of a military stategy, or is it just religious in nature?

Question

By "nature", I actually mean "origin". Is the origin of a Jihad based in religion or the military? Do they go together as one?

Answer 1

"It is an Arabic word the root of which is Jahada, which means to strive for a better way of life. The nouns are Juhd, Mujahid, Jihad, and Ijtihad. The other meanings are: endeavor, strain, exertion, effort, diligence, fighting to defend one's life, land, and religion.

Jihad should not be confused with Holy War; the latter does not exist in Islam nor will Islam allow its followers to be involved in a Holy War. The latter refers to the Holy War of the Crusaders."

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/reference/glossary/term.JIHAD.html

Obviously the part saying Islam will not allow its followers to be involved in a Holy War is incorrect. Just thought I would try to find an expert opinion.

Answer 2

It is not part of the Koran (sp) in the way it is used today. So not it's not an official part of the religion but it is part of Islamic dogma. Just like many Christians until recently believed using swear words were a sin despite the lack of any Bible annotations about swear words that did not profane God, the Muslims have come to believe Jihad is part of their religion.

I am relying on second hand information for this as I've not read the Koran and have no intention of doing so given the culture that Islam has produced. Even if I had absolute proof that it was the one true religion I'd oppose it. Fight it every inch as the culture is an abomanation. Repressive and hostile in every aspect. I don't feel that from most accounts the Islamic culture fits the spirit of the Koran very well and in many cases they pervert it as badly as Christians did to create abominations like the Spanish inquisition.

So yet again dogma overrules the true intent of a religion to the harm of all. Religion is a very positive influence on most people in the world. Religions have been the source of most of the good in the world. They have also been perverted into some of the worst evils. I think that is what your really seeing today with Islam. A deep perversion with thousands of years of dogma being used in place of the actual religion.

Answer 3

A Jihad is a call by the muslim leader to all muslims in the world to folloe what they want. It is know as a holy war and there are two types of jihads. There is a grater and a lesser jihad. If a soldier in a jihad dies for the cause he is gauerentied entrence to the promised land with a few perks. This is why somon in a jihad has no problem comitting suicide, that they will go strait to heaven

Answer 4

No, Jihad is a religious concept mentioned in the Koran, though it is usually taken out of concept to justify war, and rally the support of the population.

Answer 5

religious.... Jihad means "holy war" meaning in the name of Allah.
Sound rediculous? Look back at history at how many wars were faught over, or in the name of religion especially in Europe. Even as recently as the Brits and the Irish, Catholics vs. Protestants. More wars have been faught and people killed over religion than any other reason.

Answer 6

Jihad is a threat made by many yet accepted by few.
There are many who would have you believe they are all united against a common enemy, but in truth they are not; because the honest ones among them see that wrong also exists on their side.

Answer 7

Its a way the Islamic extremist justify killing woman and children in the name of their god. It is completely based in religion....
Its a "Holy War". A war where the more people you kill, the better chance of getting your 70 virgins when you go to "heaven".

Answer 8

Both.
Like the Pope did w/ the Crusades way back when; they can be used to same way.

Answer 9

Its a religiously based/"justified" war.

Answer 10

Both