Jihad means struggle and carries a contested internal and external history

Evidence

We must also remember that jihad, which literally means “struggle,” has a long, complex history and cannot be reduced to the category of “holy war.” Jihad may connote the use of force, though whether this force is understood as defensive—to protect Muslims from external attack or threat—or expansionist has been a subject of debate in Islamic history. From the colonial period onward, many Muslim reformers and intellectuals argued that jihad means just or defensive war. On the other end of the spectrum, more radical Muslim thinkers, such as Sayyid Qutb, have understood jihad as permitting the violent overthrow of established governments in Muslim countries. All of these disagreements, moreover, reflect what some Muslim scholars call “the lesser jihad.” “The greater jihad,” they insist, pertains to the internal struggle against one’s own evil inclinations or desires. Some Muslims even insist that nonviolent jihad is the only legitimate kind. — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 285

Categorization

• DEFINE: Provides the core definition distinguishing the lesser from the greater jihad and rejecting the reduction of jihad to holy war.
• XREF: connects to: Jihad spans warfare, inner struggle, defending the oppressed, and serving parents — Asena Karipek, Portrayals of Jihad: A Cause of…, 76; In general, disagreement among Muslims regarding the use of jihad has been deeply influenced by social and political contexts. In fact, in recent decades, many Muslims believe it is their right or obligation to wage jihad against religious, political or social oppression.; When we think of jihad, what comes to mind? Holy war? ISIS? Violence? Terrorism? These are very common conceptions of jihad due to Western media portrayals of the term. When we turn on the news, we frequently see instances of terrorism in the name of Islam (primarily violence caused by the Islamic State of Iraq & Syria, or ‘ISIS’). In fact, many Americans believe that Islamic jihad connotes violence, hatred of non-Muslims, and ‘holy war.’ Dictionary.com defines jihad as ‘a holy war undertaken as a sacred duty by Muslims’ and ‘any vigorous, emotional crusade for an idea or principle.’ The United States Department of Justice has even used ‘holy war’ as a definition of jihad in cases where an individual was indicted for an act of terrorism. Portrayals of jihad by American media lead to Americans’ misunderstanding of this term, thereby contributing to the construction of Islamophobia in America. (+9 more)

Broader Connections

• There is no universally accepted definition of jihad and nor has there ever been throughout history. There is not even one definition currently accepted by all Muslims. Rather, the doctrine of… #expands (0.85)
• Jihad spans warfare, inner struggle, defending the oppressed, and serving parents #expands (0.80) — Asena Karipek, Portrayals of Jihad, 76
• The Qur’an references jihad in several places. It carries different meanings based on context. For example, some verses deal with jihad in warfare. Extremist and terrorist Muslims often use these… #expands (0.80)
• In general, disagreement among Muslims regarding the use of jihad has been deeply influenced by social and political contexts. In fact, in recent decades, many Muslims believe it is their right or… #expands (0.75)
• In their view, jihad is universal revolutionary struggle and that the modernists’ search for moral justifications for jihad is senseless because jihad is prescribed by the Qur’an. At the same… #expands (0.75)
• When we think of jihad, what comes to mind? Holy war? ISIS? Violence? Terrorism? These are very common conceptions of jihad due to Western media portrayals of the term. When we turn on the news,… #expands (0.70)
• Jihad, which has come to be perceived as ‘holy war’ in American media and by many Americans, is a hot topic of debate throughout the world but especially in the West. #expands (0.65)