| What is jihad? | Jihad is the collective or individual struggle (Muslim) people face against evil |
| What is a holy war? | A holy war is a war fought over and motivated by religion. |
| What is Jihad in terms of war? | In terms of war, Jihad is a holy war fought by Muslims against non-believers |
| What is the difference between greater and lesser jihad? | Greater jihad refers to the internal struggle all Muslims face to cleanse themselves from Satan’s temptations and their own passions by following Islamic teachings. E.g. the five Pillars, while lesser Jihad, which is perpetually required of Muslims but considered less important refers to the struggle against visible enemies such as persecutors. |
| How can Muslims fight greater jihad using salah? | Muslims can fight greater jihad using salah. If Muslims recognised their passion for immoral lustful acts they may find strength to sustain in Salah. The series of specific motions and phrases in the Jummah Prayer requires Muslims’ attention to be solely on Allah, whilst also requiring patience and time, encouraging the diffusion of impulsive sexual thoughts/acts. As the Qur’an states, “Ultimately we seized them with torments so that they may return ‘to the Right Path”, greater Jihad exists for Muslims to prove their strength and priority of God. |
| How does Allah intend Muslims to fight lesser Jihad? | The Qur’an teaches Muslims to fight lesser Jihad when necessary. The quote from the Qur’an, “Fight against them until there is no more persecution – and ‘your’ devotion will be entirely to Allah”, suggests resistance in the form of religious justice is accepted by Allah. Allah advocates for the prosperity of his people and a world without peace. If that may only be achieved through force, this scripture suggests Allah is permitting. |
| What does Allah intend lesser Jihad should be for? | Most Muslims believe Allah intends for lesser Jihad to be used to prevent terrorism. Despite Allah allowing Jihad for religious conformity, he does not intend for it to be used in any instance where Muslims become aggressors. The Qur’an states, “do not mischief on the earth once it has been set in order”, once peace is achieved lesser Jihad is never to be used for self-advantages of religious enforcement. As Allah stated in the Qur’an, “there is no compulsion in religion”, he does not desire or see acceptability in a nation forced into Islam. |
| How have leaders of terrorist groups abused Jihad? | Leaders of terrorist groups such as Osama Bin Laden have abused Jihad by using its past interpretations to justify their agenda. In the medieval era, the Sunni Islamic Scholar Ibn Taymiyya declared the military inferior Mongols, who Mamluks had surrounded with arrows at an instant - having Jihad forced on them by mamluks was not just permissible, but obligatory; a tyrant attitude of leaders who abused to use Jihad for their advantage rather than Allah’s. |
