Reclaiming the Meaning of Jihad

What Jihad Really Means

The word Jihad comes from the Arabic root j-h-d, meaning “to strive” or “to struggle.” At its core, Jihad means striving in the path of God. This struggle can take many forms—against one’s own desires, against oppression, or even in defense during times of injustice.

It can be through words, action, writing, or physical resistance. Not all Jihad involves combat; in fact, the most fundamental form begins within the self.

1. Jihad al-Nafs – Struggling Against the Self

This is the everyday spiritual battle that every Muslim faces—the inner effort to stay on the path of righteousness and resist temptations. Every moment you fight your lower self for the sake of Allah is considered Jihad. As The scholar Al-Maududi puts it eloquently: The performance of jihad requires that one should first of all fight against his own self in order to subdue it. For there can be no true jihad unless one fights against his evil self and subdues his desires and lusts to the obedience of Allah.

Examples include:

• Waking up at 4 AM in winter to perform the Fajr prayer.

• Fasting on long, hot days.

• Lowering the gaze from forbidden sights.

• A mother tirelessly raising her children with love and care for the sake of God.

• Taking care of your elderly parents

Hadith:

It was narrated from Mu'awiyah bin Jahimah As-Sulami, that Jahimah came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said:

"O Messenger of Allah! I want to go out and fight (in Jihad) and I have come to ask your advice." He said: "Do you have a mother?" He said: "Yes." He said: "Then stay with her, for Paradise is beneath her feet."
Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 3104

Allah says in the Quran: 

“As for those who struggle (In Arabic: Did Jihad) in Our cause, We will surely guide them along Our Way. And Allah is certainly with the good-doers.”
Surah Al-Ankabut (29:69)

2. Jihad Against Injustice and Falsehood

A. With Words and Actions

Speaking the truth, especially when risking your status, livelihood, or life, is a form of Jihad. Whether it’s standing up to a corrupt boss, defending a mistreated colleague, challenging a regime that silences opposition, or protesting injustice—these are all manifestations of Jihad.

Allah says in the Quran: 

“So do not yield to the disbelievers, but strive (In Arabic: Do Jihad) diligently against them with this ˹Quran˺”
Surah Al-Furqan (25:52)

Hadith:

A man once asked the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ),
“What is the best kind of Jihad?”
He replied:
“Speaking the truth in the presence of a tyrant ruler.”
Source: Riyad as-Salihin, Hadith 195

Examples: When people speak up for Palestine despite risking their jobs, reputations, or even freedom, that is Jihad. When Malcolm X, a Muslim civil rights leader, fought against racial oppression in America and paid with his life, that was Jihad.

B. With Physical Defense (Including war)

Jihad through fighting is not about conquest or compulsion—it is about defending truth, justice, and the vulnerable. It is never for wealth, ego, nationalism, or revenge. We give further details about this in the next tabs.

It includes:

• Defending your home from criminals.

• Protecting a stranger being attacked.

• Resisting foreign invasion or occupation.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about a person who fights out of pride, anger, or showing off—who among them is truly fighting for God’s cause?
He answered:
“He who fights so that the Word of Allah remains supreme is the one fighting in the cause of Allah.”
Source: Riyad as-Salihin, Hadith 8

Allah says in the Quran:

"Strive for ˹the cause of˺ Allah in the way He deserves, for ˹it is˺ He ˹Who˺ has chosen you, and laid upon you no hardship in the religion—the way of your forefather Abraham. ˹It is Allah˺ Who named you ‘Muslims’ ˹in the˺ earlier ˹Scriptures˺ and in this ˹Quran˺, so that the Messenger may be a witness over you, and that you may be witnesses over humanity. So establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and hold fast to Allah. He ˹alone˺ is your Guardian. What an excellent Guardian, and what an excellent Helper!"
— Surah Al-Haj 22:78

The General Principle of Peace and Justice

The general rule is that peaceful relations are maintained with all people, but the exceptions are those who were actively hostile to the Muslims.

Allah states in the Quran:

"Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and fairly with those who have neither fought you nor driven you out of your homes. Surely Allah loves those who are fair. Allah only forbids you from befriending those who have fought you for your faith, driven you out, or supported others in doing so."
Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8-9)

1. Acceptance of Peace Offers

If any group seeks peace with Muslims, the Muslims are instructed to accept. Allah says in the Quran:

"If they incline towards peace, then incline to it also and trust in Allah. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing."
Surah Al-Anfal (8:61)

The prophet peace be upon him had several treaties of peace. 

Famous ones include the treaty he had with the Jews for mutual protection, when he arrived to Madina, which they betrayed later. The most important treaty was the treaty of Hudaybiyyah, which the prophet peace be upon him established with the polytheists of Makkah, and then they also betrayed it. (The treaties are mentioned in detail here: Who is he? His story)

2. No Compulsion in Religion

Forced conversion is absolutely prohibited in Islam. Allah says in the Quran:

"Let there be no compulsion in religion, for the truth stands out clearly from falsehood. So whoever renounces false gods and believes in Allah has certainly grasped the firmest, unfailing hand-hold. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing"
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:256)

Therefore, after defeating the enemies, or conquering a land, the Muslims are absolutely forbidden from forcing the defeated people to convert to Islam. That is why many Muslim-controlled lands remained as majority non Muslims for centuries after the Roman and Persian empires were both defeated and conquered by Muslims. For example, Egypt remained more than 50% Christian for five hundred years under Muslim rule after expelling the Romans.

In fact, the Coptic Christians in Egypt were persecuted by the Romans, and their high priest was escaping in the desert. After Muslims entered the land, they reinstated the high priest, and gave the Christians the freedom to practise their religion.

3. Prohibition of Killing Non-Combatants (Civilians)

Islamic Jihad strictly forbids targeting civilians.

Allah says in the Quran:

"Fight in the cause of Allah only against those who wage war against you, but do not exceed the limits. Allah does not like transgressors. Kill them wherever you come upon them and drive them out of the places from which they have driven you out. For persecution is far worse than killing. And do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque unless they attack you there. If they do so, then fight them—that is the reward of the disbelievers. But if they cease, then surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Fight against them ˹if they persecute you˺ until there is no more persecution, and ˹your˺ devotion will be to Allah ˹alone˺. If they stop ˹persecuting you˺, let there be no hostility except against the aggressors."
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:190-193)

Footnote from Dr. Mustafa Khattab:

 “Do not exceed the limits” refers to Islamic warfare guidelines set by the Prophet in multiple hadiths. We will show them below in several points:

Hadith (1):

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

"O' people, do not wish for an encounter with the enemy. Pray to Allah to grant you security; (but) when you (have to) encounter them exercise patience, and you should know that Paradise is under the shadows of the swords..."
Source: Sahih Muslim 1742a and Sahih al-Bukhari 2965

4. Prohibition of Killing Women, children, religious clerk and corrupting land:

In addition to forbidding killing non combatants, Islam also forbids killing women and children in battle. That means, if a woman or a child are within the army of the enemy, the Muslims are not allowed to kill them. If someone doesn't join the army of the enemy in the first place then they are non-combatants or civilians and it is forbidden to kill them anyway, whether they are women or men.

Hadith (2):

A companion of the prophet named Hanzalah Al-Katib narrated:

We went on a military expedition with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and we passed by a slain woman around whom people had gathered. They made way for him, and he said:
‘She was not fighting among those who fought.’
Then he said to a man:
‘Go to Khālid ibn al-Walīd and tell him: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commands you: Do not kill women, children, or hired workers (laborers/servants).’”
Source: Sunan Ibn Majah 2842

Hadith (3):

"do not mutilate dead bodies"
Source: Sahih Muslim 1731a, b

And so his first successor and best friend Abu Bakr instructed the army after the prophet peace be upon him died:

"Do not kill women or children or an aged, infirm person. Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees. Do not destroy an inhabited place. Do not slaughter sheep or camels except for food. Do not burn bees and do not scatter them. Do not steal from the booty, and do not be cowardly"
Source: Muwatta Malik Book 21, Hadith 10 

The Thabit ibn al-Hajjaj reported: Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him stood up among the people and praised and thanked Allah, then he said:

"No doubt, do not kill the monk in the monastery"
Source:  Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah 33127

5. Protection for Refuge Seekers

During the war, even enemies seeking refugee must be granted safety:

"If anyone among the polytheists asks you for protection, grant it so they may hear the Word of Allah, then escort them to a place of safety."
(Quran 9:6)

6. Ethical Treatment of Captives

Captives must be treated well and given food:

"And they give food—despite their desire for it—to the poor, the orphan, and the captive, ˹saying to themselves,˺ “We feed you only for the sake of Allah, seeking neither reward nor thanks from you"
(Quran 76:8-9)

7. Freedom for Captive Women

The women that went out for battle with the Muslims and were captured in war become bonds people, and the Quran calls them "right hand possessed". 

These women are not allowed to be killed, even though they were in the army to fight the Muslims. Those women are under the care of Muslim men, and Muslims are allowed to have intimacy with them, without coercion. 

If these women change and become good people in the society, ie. they don't mean any harm to the Muslims anymore, then they can ask for freedom. They are required to pay some money for their freedom. However, if they don't posses any money, the Muslims can give them from charity so that they can buy their freedom.

"... And if any of those ˹bondspeople˺ in your possession desires a contract ˹to buy their own freedom˺, make it possible for them, if you find goodness in them. And give them some of Allah’s wealth which He has granted you..."
(Quran 24:33)

5. Protection of Mosques, Churches, Synagogues and places of worships

Allah says in the Quran:

"...Had Allah not repelled ˹the aggression of˺ some people by means of others, destruction would have surely claimed monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which Allah’s Name is often mentioned. Allah will certainly help those who stand up for Him. Allah is truly All-Powerful, Almighty"
Surah Al-Haj (22:40)

The scholar of Islam Ibn Hazm has stated that this verse means Muslims are obligated to protect places of worship in Jihad.

That is why when Omar Ibn Al-Khattab, the second successor (Caliph), of the prophet peace be upon him, when the Muslims took over Palestine from the Roman empire, he made a pact for religious freedom with the Christians, and that is why the oldest churches in the world still exist there untouched, until it was destroyed by Israel recently.

Note: Successor of the prophet peace be upon him means the one who ruled the Islamic state after the prophet died. 

6. The fighting stops when:

When a battle occurs between Muslims and disbelievers if they preach the peace treaty or attack the Muslims, the battle stops when one of the conditions outlined in the following hadith is fulfilled:

Hadith (4):

It has been reported from Sulaiman b. Buraida through his father that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) appointed anyone as leader of an army or detachment he would especially exhort him to fear Allah and to be good to the Muslims who were with him. He would say:

"...When you meet your enemies who are polytheists, invite them to three courses of action. If they respond to any one of these, you also accept it and withhold yourself from doing them any harm. Invite them to (accept) Islam; if they respond to you, accept it from them and desist from fighting against them. Then invite them to migrate from their lands to the land of the immigrants (From Makkah to Madina) and inform them that, if they do so, they shall have all the privileges and obligations of the immigrants. If they refuse to migrate, tell them that they will have the status of Bedouin Muslims and will be subjected to the Commands of Allah like other Muslims, but they will not get any share from the spoils of war (Fai') except when they actually fight with the Muslims (against the disbelievers). If they refuse to accept Islam, demand from them the Jizya. If they agree to pay, accept it from them and hold off your hands. If they refuse to pay the tax, seek Allah's help and fight them."
Source: Sahih Muslim 1731a, b  

7. No Vigilantism

Jihad must be declared and led by legitimate leadership, who would be the leader of the Muslim nation. Individual acts of violence—especially against civilians—are absolutely forbidden.

Legitimate Forms of Jihad (Armed Struggle)

1. Defensive War

When Muslims are attacked, they have the right to defend themselves. This is demonstrated at the same verse we showed earlier.

Allah says in the Quran:

"Fight in the cause of Allah only against those who wage war against you, but do not exceed the limits. Allah does not like transgressors. Kill them wherever you come upon them and drive them out of the places from which they have driven you out. For persecution is far worse than killing. And do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque unless they attack you there. If they do so, then fight them—that is the reward of the disbelievers. But if they cease, then surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Fight against them ˹if they persecute you˺ until there is no more persecution, and ˹your˺ devotion will be to Allah ˹alone˺. If they stop ˹persecuting you˺, let there be no hostility except against the aggressors."
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:190-193)

2. Protecting Religious Freedom

Persecution due to religion is a legitimate cause of Jihad, as shown in the verse above as well. Those who prevent people from believing in God and the message of Islam, or prevent the access of the message of Islam, are a legitimate target of Jihad.

For example, when the soviet union was killing people for becoming Muslims or Christians, targeting their mosques and churches, and preventing them from worshipping God, that was a legitimate target of Jihad. In the past, when the roman empire adopted the trinity as the official belief of the empire by Constantine, and oppressed and killed those who didn't believe in the trinity, that was a legitimate target of Jihad. 

Allah says in the Quran:

"Permission ˹to fight back˺ is ˹hereby˺ granted to those being fought, for they have been wronged. And Allah is truly Most Capable of helping them ˹prevail˺. ˹They are˺ those who have been expelled from their homes for no reason other than proclaiming: “Our Lord is Allah.” Had Allah not repelled ˹the aggression of˺ some people by means of others, destruction would have surely claimed monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which Allah’s Name is often mentioned. Allah will certainly help those who stand up for Him. Allah is truly All-Powerful, Almighty"
Surah Al-Haj (22:40)

3. Resisting Oppression and Tyranny

Jihad is legitimate against empires or regimes that violently oppress others, whether in their nation or other nations. The example of this is fighting against British and French Colonialism.

Allah says in the Quran:

"What is wrong with you that you do not fight in the cause of Allah and for the oppressed men, women, and children who cry, 'Our Lord! Rescue us from this oppressive land..."
Surah Al-Nisaa (4:75)

Who is not a target of Jihad?

1. Those with Peace Treaties

Allah says in the Quran:

"If they incline towards peace, then incline to it also and trust in Allah. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing."
Surah Al-Anfal (8:61)

"As for the polytheists who have honoured every term of their treaty with you and have not supported an enemy against you, honour your treaty with them until the end of its term. Surely Allah loves those who are mindful ˹of Him˺."
Surah Al-Tawba (9:4)

"How can such polytheists have a treaty with Allah and His Messenger, except those you have made a treaty with at the Sacred Mosque?1 So, as long as they are true to you, be true to them. Indeed Allah loves those who are mindful ˹of Him˺."
Surah Al-Tawba (9:7)

Footnote from Dr. Mustafa Khattab - 1

This is known as the Treaty of Ḥudaibiyah, which was signed by the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the pagans of Mecca in 6 A.H./628 C.E., diffusing the tension between Muslims and the Meccans and affirming a 10-year peace truce. The treaty was violated by the Meccans in 8 A.H/630 C.E.

2. Civilians and Non-Combatants

Allah says in the Quran:

"Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and fairly with those who have neither fought you nor driven you out of your homes. Surely Allah loves those who are fair. Allah only forbids you from befriending those who have fought you for your faith, driven you out, or supported others in doing so."
Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8-9)

3. Those who converted to Islam during the battle

The people who convert to Islam during the battle, are immediately to be protected and embraced by Muslims, even if there is a chance they are just pretending. Whatever they did to the Muslims or their lands, is to be completely forgotten. 

For example, after the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, many soldiers became Muslims. These soldiers are to be embraced as brothers in Islam, and all the corruption and brutality they did, is now forgiven.

Allah says in the Quran:

"But if they repent, establish prayer, and pay zakah, then they are your brothers in faith."
Surah Al-Tawba (9:11)

Hadith (1):

Narrated Usama bin Zaid: 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ once sent a group of companions on a military expedition. During the encounter, I confronted an enemy combatant. At the last moment, the man declared: "There is no god but Allah". I attacked him with a spear. Afterward, I felt troubled about it, so I mentioned it to the Prophet. 

The Messenger of God ﷺ said:
“Did he say ‘There is no god but Allah,’ and you still killed him?”

I said, “O Messenger of God, he only said it out of fear of the weapon.”

He said:
“Did you open his heart to know whether he meant it or not?”

He continued repeating this to me until I wished that I had only accepted Islam that day (so that I would not have done this before).
Source: Sahih Muslim 96a, Sahih al-Bukhari 4269 and Sunan Abi Dawud 2643

4. Those Who Submit Under Protection (Jizyah)

After any war with non muslims, they are offered to live in peace under Muslim rule and be exempt from participating in any military action, and in return pay a tax called Jizyah. Jizyah is one of the concepts twisted often by the western media as well, so we talk about it in more details in the tab below.

Allah says in the Quran:

"Fight those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day, nor comply with what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, nor embrace the religion of truth from among those who were given the Scripture,1 until they pay the tax,2 willingly submitting, fully humbled."
Surah Al-Tawba (9:29)

Footnote from Dr. Mustafa Khattab:

Under Islamic rule, all individuals had financial obligations—Muslims paid zakâh (2.5% of their savings) and non-Muslims (ⱬimmîs) were required to pay jizyah (tax for protection from foreign enemies). The jizyah was an average of one dinar (4.25 g of gold) annually. Women, children, the elderly, the clergy, the poor, and those who were unable to work were exempt. Those who opted to join the army were also exempt. Poor ⱬimmîs were supported financially by the state. Muslim rulers refunded the jizyah if they failed to protect their non-Muslim subjects.

Taxation systems have existed since ancient times. There are several references in the Old Testament (e.g., Ezra 4:20). In the New Testament, Jesus allows paying taxes to Caesar (Luke 20:25).

Scholarly comments on the verse:

To fully understand this verse we need to bear in mind that Quranic verses are of two types. General verses talk about belief in Allah, good manners, and acts of worship. Specific verses, such as this verse, were revealed in regards to particular situations. 

This verse (9:29) pertains to a specific circumstance, and was revealed on the occasion of the Tabuk expedition (9 AH/630 CE). As Ibn ‘Ashur explains in his commentary: once Islam began to spread, the Jews of Arabia and the Christians of the Byzantine Empire became increasingly hostile to the growing Muslim community as it began to approach the borders of their territories in the Levant. It was after the Byzantines initiated hostilities with the Muslims (by killing an emissary) that the order was given to fight them.

The point is further supported by an authentic hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in which he states, “Leave the Abyssinians alone so long as they leave you alone, and leave the Turks be so long as they leave you be.” (Abu Dawud 4302, Sunan an-Nasa'i 3176) The Abyssinians in particular were Christians like the Byzantines, but unlike the Byzantines, they had initiated no hostilities with the Muslim polity. The same was true of the pagan Turks.

Ibn Taymiyyah states in his book "Qa’idah Mukhtasarah fi Qital al-Kuffar wa Muhadanatihim" (p. 134), “It was his conduct that whoever sought peace with him from the disbelievers, he would not fight them. Here are the books (in the genres) of Sirah, Hadith, Tafsir, Fiqh, and Maghazi, all of them express this, and it is universally known (mutawatir) from his historical record. He did not initiate fighting with any of the disbelievers, whereas if Allah had commanded him to kill every disbeliever, he would have initiated fighting and killing.”

A final point to bear in mind is that the Quran has advocated a particular status to those called People of the Book, meaning Jews and Christians, and this has certain implications including the permission for Muslim men to marry Jewish or Christian women (5:5). This should be enough to dispel the misconception that the relationship with those faith communities is based on hostility.

An example of verses that are always twisted in the western media to show that Islam supports terrorism are these verses from surat Al Tawba. The person twisting the verses normally cites verse number 9:5 (highlighted in red), which says kill the polytheists wherever you find them, without reading the verses before and after (highlighted in blue), because they don't support his claim:

Allah says in the Quran:

"˹This is˺ a discharge from all obligations,1 by Allah and His Messenger, to the polytheists you ˹believers˺ have entered into treaties with: “You ˹polytheists˺ may travel freely through the land for four months, but know that you will have no escape from Allah, and that Allah will disgrace the disbelievers.”1 . Declaration from Allah and His Messenger ˹is made˺ to all people on the day of the greater pilgrimage1 that Allah and His Messenger are free of the polytheists. So if you ˹pagans˺ repent, it will be better for you. But if you turn away, then know that you will have no escape from Allah. And give good news ˹O Prophet˺ to the disbelievers of a painful punishment. As for the polytheists who have honoured every term of their treaty with you and have not supported an enemy against you, honour your treaty with them until the end of its term. Surely Allah loves those who are mindful ˹of Him˺. But once the Sacred Months have passed, kill the polytheists ˹who violated their treaties˺ wherever you find them, capture them, besiege them, and lie in wait for them on every way. But if they repent, perform prayers, and pay alms-tax, then set them free. Indeed, Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And if anyone from the polytheists asks for your protection ˹O Prophet˺, grant it to them so they may hear the Word of Allah, then escort them to a place of safety, for they are a people who have no knowledge. How can such polytheists have a treaty with Allah and His Messenger, except those you have made a treaty with at the Sacred Mosque?1 So, as long as they are true to you, be true to them. Indeed Allah loves those who are mindful ˹of Him˺. How ˹can they have a treaty˺? If they were to have the upper hand over you, they would have no respect for kinship or treaty. They only flatter you with their tongues, but their hearts are in denial, and most of them are rebellious. They chose a fleeting gain over Allah’s revelations, hindering ˹others˺ from His Way. Evil indeed is what they have done! They do not honour the bonds of kinship or treaties with the believers. It is they who are the transgressors. But if they repent, perform prayer, and pay alms-tax, then they are your brothers in faith. This is how We make the revelations clear for people of knowledge. But if they break their oaths after making a pledge and attack your faith, then fight the champions of disbelief—who never honour their oaths—so perhaps they will desist. Will you not fight those who have broken their oaths, conspired to expel the Messenger ˹from Mecca˺, and attacked you first? Do you fear them? Allah is more deserving of your fear, if you are ˹true˺ believers."
Surah Al-Tawba (9:1-13)

footnote from Dr. Mustafa Khattab:

This is known as the Treaty of Ḥudaibiyah, which was signed by the Prophet (ﷺ) and the pagans of Mecca in 6 A.H./628 C.E., diffusing the tension between Muslims and the Meccans and affirming a 10-year peace truce. The treaty was violated by the Meccans in 8 A.H/630 C.E.

In this passage, the believers are instructed to fulfill their treaty with those idolaters who had not violated their covenant, so long as they maintain it (9:4, 7). As for those who are hostile, violate their covenants, and attack the religion, seeking to turn people away from it, this Surah announces that their covenant is coming to an end, while giving them a four months’ notice. Moreover, this declaration was made on the most important day of Hajj to ensure that the message reached far and wide. This is consistent with the Quranic teaching found in 8:58: “And if you fear betrayal from a people, then openly terminate your treaty with them. Surely Allah does not love the treacherous.” In this verse, “fear betrayal” means to see signs of betrayal. This is because foreign policy decisions are dependent on the reading of such signs.

The verses go on to clarify that the reason for this war is the hostility and treachery of the idolaters. Furthermore, the verse immediately following this one (9:6) makes clear that this is not a command to force anyone to accept Islam: any polytheist who wishes may seek asylum with the Muslims to hear the Qur’an and decide for himself whether to accept Islam. This is why the verses emphasize the need to fight the “leaders of disbelief” (9:12), i.e. those who are hostile to Islam. The intent of these verses then is not to forcibly convert non-Muslims to Islam or to kill them all, but to protect Muslim territory from encroachment or attack by hostile parties.

Another example of verses twisted in the media is some of the verses mentioned earlier. The person twisting cites the verse that says "Kill them wherever you come upon them", and leaving all the verses around it.

Allah says in the Quran:

"Fight in the cause of Allah only against those who wage war against you, but do not exceed the limits. Allah does not like transgressors. Kill them wherever you come upon them and drive them out of the places from which they have driven you out. For persecution is far worse than killing. And do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque unless they attack you there. If they do so, then fight them—that is the reward of the disbelievers. But if they cease, then surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Fight against them ˹if they persecute you˺ until there is no more persecution, and ˹your˺ devotion will be to Allah ˹alone˺. If they stop ˹persecuting you˺, let there be no hostility except against the aggressors."
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:190-193)

1. Definition
Jihad in Islam means a noble struggle or striving in the path of Allah. It includes various forms such as personal spiritual struggle (against the self), or physical struggle under strict ethical rules.
Terrorism, on the other hand, refers to the use of violence or fear to achieve political, ideological, or religious goals, often targeting civilians. It is indiscriminate and forbidden in Islam.

2. Objective
The objective of Jihad is to defend the oppressed, establish justice, and protect freedom of belief.
Terrorism aims to instill fear, force political change, or gain power through chaos and destruction.

3. Legitimacy
Jihad must be declared by a legitimate Islamic authority (such as a just ruler or state), not by individuals or groups acting independently.
Terrorism is carried out by rogue actors or extremist groups without legitimate authority.

4. Targets
In Jihad, only legitimate combatants in war are allowed to be fought. Civilians, women, children, clergy, and non-combatants are strictly protected.
Terrorism deliberately targets civilians to maximize fear and media attention.

5. Rules of Engagement
Islamic Jihad follows strict rules laid out by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, including prohibitions against mutilation, harming non-combatants, destroying nature, or betraying treaties.
Terrorism ignores ethical guidelines, and includes brutal tactics like torture, assassination, and indiscriminate killing.

6. Treatment of Captives
In Jihad, captives must be treated with respect and dignity, fed, and may be freed through ransom or acts of kindness. Forced conversion is prohibited.
In terrorism, captives are often tortured, executed, or used for political gain.

7. Relation to Non-Muslims
Jihad permits peaceful coexistence with non-Muslims. War is only permitted in self-defense or against oppression, and treaties must be honored.
Terrorism often promotes hatred toward all non-Muslims, and encourages violence without legitimate cause.

8. Use of Force
Force in Jihad is allowed only under clear justification such as defense, or stopping religious persecution or oppression, and always under legal and moral constraints.
Terrorism uses violence as a first resort, often unprovoked and without regard for moral or legal standards.

9. Intentions (Niyyah)
The intention in Jihad must be purely for the sake of Allah — to please Him, defend the truth, and protect the weak. Personal gain, nationalism, or revenge are not valid reasons.
Terrorism is usually driven by political agendas, revenge, power, or extremist ideologies, not sincere religious devotion.

10. View on Forced Conversion
Islam forbids forced conversion, stating clearly in the Qur’an: “There is no compulsion in religion” (Qur’an 2:256).
Terrorists, however, may use threats or coercion to force others to adopt their views or religion.

11. Teachings of the Prophet ﷺ
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explicitly prohibited harming non-combatants, destroying property, or acting without justice, even in warfare.
Terrorists completely disregard these teachings, committing acts that are totally opposed to the Sunnah.

12. Attitude Toward Peace
Jihad encourages peace when possible: “If they incline to peace, then incline to it [also]” (Qur’an 8:61).
Terrorism opposes peace, thrives on conflict, and seeks to perpetuate violence for ideological gain.

13. Public Perception
Jihad is often misunderstood and wrongly equated with terrorism because extremist groups have misused the term for un-Islamic violence.
Terrorism is rightfully condemned worldwide for its cruelty, indiscriminate nature, and moral bankruptcy.

Conclusion: Jihad is Not Terrorism

Terrorism is the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians to incite fear and chaos. Jihad, in contrast, is a sacred struggle for truth, justice, and submission to God.

It can be an internal effort or an external stand against oppression—but it is always guided by ethics, intention, and the principles of Islam.

Let us return this word to its rightful place—free from propaganda and full of purpose.

We present a figure from a study conducted by Dr. Naveed Sheikh (professor of International Relations, Terrorism Studies and Middle East Studies), under the name: body count, a quantitative review of political violence across world civilizations. 

The figure represents the deaths that resulted from political actions (war, genocide and other) from the year 0 to 2008CE.