Jihad, << jih HAHD, >> is an Arabic word that refers to an effort or struggle on behalf of the religion of Islam. Followers of Islam, called Muslims, view jihad in different ways. One meaning of jihad, called the greater jihad, is the internal effort of each person to overcome temptation and lead a moral life. Another meaning of jihad, called the lesser jihad, is an armed struggle against those perceived as enemies of Islam. Some writers have referred to jihad as the sixth pillar (formal spiritual duty) of Islam (see Islam (The Five Pillars of Islam) ).
Muslims have engaged in armed jihad at various times since the early 600’s A.D., when Islam was first preached by the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims who have died in armed jihad have often been celebrated as martyrs—that is, people who sacrifice their lives for their beliefs. Today, most Muslims think of jihad only as a peaceful effort on behalf of their faith. But some radical individuals and groups call for armed jihad against countries or groups they consider to be threats to Islam. Before his death in 2011, Osama bin Laden—who led the global terrorist organization al-Qa`ida—called for jihad against the United States and its allies (see Qa`ida, Al- ). Some radical groups include the word jihad in their names. One example is Islamic Jihad of Palestine, which aims to destroy Israel and establish an Islamic state in the region of Palestine.
The doctrine of lesser jihad developed in part from the example of Muhammad and his early followers. They launched a number of military campaigns to spread their faith. The doctrine also developed based on certain passages in the Qur’ān—the holy book of Islam. The doctrine is based on three related ideas. First, Islam is a universal community. Second, God and Muhammad have commanded all Muslim men who are free and physically able to spread their faith, even by waging war against non-Muslims if necessary. Finally, Muslims must spread their religion until all people have converted to Islam or agreed to live under an Islamic government.
In theory, armed jihad is the only type of warfare Islam allows, because Muslims are not permitted to take up arms against other Muslims. In practice, however, Muslims have sometimes declared war against other Muslims. Today, some radical Islamic groups call for armed jihad against the rulers of certain Islamic countries. These groups claim that the rulers of these countries have permitted Islam to become corrupt and that Islam must therefore be restored to a pure state.
In modern times, many Muslim philosophers have argued—and most practising Muslims believe—that it is acceptable for Islamic nation-states to coexist with non-Islamic nation-states peacefully. A nation-state is an area of land where people share a common culture, history, or language, and also have an independent government.
