Jihad in the Qur'an: The Truth from the Source (Second Edition) [Paperback]

Islam has increasingly been the subject of gross misunderstanding. One main aspect of this phenomenon has been the association of Islam with violence and aggression. This is particularly epitomized in the widespread misinterpretation of the Islamic concept of "jihad".

Some Muslim individuals and groups have misused and abused the term "jihad" to describe their violent activities, which greatly vary in nature and context. This has played a major role in spreading incorrect information about jihad. The media, in turn, have failed to make a distinction between such misleading views and informed explanations of jihad. This unholy alliance of misinformation and publicity was bound to result in widespread misunderstanding of jihad.

Studies of Islam in general, including the subject of jihad, have also been blighted by improper use of secondary religious and historical sources. While the Qur’an is universally accepted as being the undisputed authentic source and authority on all aspects of Islam, the authenticity, reliability and value of other sources have always been matters of debate, and even controversy, among scholars. The failure to take this major difference between the Qur’an and other sources into account and to treat those sources with due caution can only result in misunderstanding Islamic concepts and practices.

In its endeavor to present the truth about jihad and dispel common fallacies about this Qur’anic concept, this book goes back to the source: the Qur’an. It shows that jihad in the Qur’an is nothing like the common image of this concept.

Unlike its mundane representation, jihad is a spiritual path that creates a better human being and a better world. Contrary to its violent image, jihad is the ultimate way to peace. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Revised and Expanded Second Edition

Louay Fatoohi is the author of many technical papers and general articles, and has published several books in Arabic and English. He is particularly interested in Qur'anic studies.

Louay Fatoohi is the author of many technical papers and general articles, and has published several books in Arabic and English. He is particularly interested in Qur'anic studies.

The Arabic word "jihaad" is a noun. Its singular past tense verb is "jaahada" (masculine) or "jaahadat" (feminine). The singular active participle of "jihad" is "mujaahid" (masculine) or "mujaahida" (feminine). The root of the word "jihad" is "juhd" which means "effort." Another related word is "ijtihaad" which means "working hard or diligently."
Jihad is simply the process of "exerting the best efforts," involving some form of "struggle" and "resistance," to achieve a particular goal. In other words, jihad is the struggle against, or resistance to, something for the sake of a goal. The meaning of the word is independent of the nature of the invested efforts or the sought goal.
Contrary to common belief, the word "jihad" does not necessarily imply any violent effort, let alone "war" and such instances of extreme violence. It is a general term that can mean violent as well as peaceful actions, depending on the context in which it is used, as we shall indeed see later. Similarly, "jihad" as a generic word can be used even when the sought goals are not Islamic, i.e. in non-religious contexts.
The Qur’an uses the verb of "jihad" in its generic meaning of "exerting the best efforts against something" in the following two verses:
And We have enjoined on man goodness to parents, but if they jáhadáka (do jihad against you) to make you associate [a god] with Me, of which you have no knowledge [being a god], do not obey them. To Me is your return [O people!], so I shall inform you of your past deeds (29.8).
And We have enjoined on man to be good to his parents; his mother bears him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years; and that [you must] be grateful to Me and to both your parents. To Me is the eventual coming (31.14). And if they jáhadáka (do jihad against you) to make you associate [a god] with Me, of which you have no knowledge [being a god], do not obey them, but keep company with them in this world kindly; and follow the way of he who turns to Me. Then to Me is your [O people!] return, then I shall inform you of your past deeds (31.15).
Jihad in the above verses refers to actions taken by non-Muslim parents against their Muslim offspring to force them to worship other than Allah. This goal goes against the message of Islam which teaches the oneness of God, Allah; obviously this kind of jihad is not Islamic. The above verses also confirm the already mentioned fact that jihad is not necessarily an act of violence.
It is worth noting that the above verses command the Muslims to remain kind and caring toward their parents, but to resist any attempt by the latter to force them to give up the Islamic tenet of monotheism in favor of some polytheistic belief.