Conclusion

The root word of jihad is ‘juhd’, which connotes making much effort. What is called ‘effort’ or ‘struggle’ in English is called ‘jihad’ in Arabic. Jihad simply means making great efforts or striving for a noble purpose. The two permanent or eternal forms of jihad are jihad-e-nafs and jihad-e-dawah. Jihad-e-nafs means striving against one’s negative feelings to remain steadfast on the path that is pleasing to God. Jihad-e-dawah is to make utmost effort to convey the message of God to all of humankind with compassion and well-wishing.

Jihad is not synonymous with violence and war. Fighting one’s enemies is also a form of striving; it is also referred to as jihad in an extended sense. The actual Arabic word for war is qital and not jihad. Moreover, qital does not have the same position as individual actions such as prayer and fasting. Instead, qital in defence is a form of military action that is wholly the responsibility of the state. The state has to defend the nation when the need arises. War in defence must always be conducted under a ruler’s leadership. The general Muslim public is only responsible for obeying their rulers in this regard. Lending them their support, they must help them in their efforts. It is illegitimate for individuals to initiate war.

In present times, certain Muslims are engaged in a violent confrontations in numerous countries. However, almost without exception, these are not Islamic jihads, but, instead, what is called fasad, or anarchy. They are a form of guerrilla war that is illegitimate in Islam because it is conducted by non-governmental actors rather than an established government.

A fundamental difference between jihad and qital is that Jihad in dawah is a general commandment, while jihad in war is a temporary action. The dawah jihad has to be engaged in and under all circumstances. The objective of the jihad of dawah is to convey the message of God to all people in every generation. As jihad of dawah is a continuous struggle, it has been called jihad-e-kabir or ‘great jihad’ in the Quran (25:52).

The Islamic mission of dawah, or inviting people to God, is called jihad as it has to be undertaken at the cost of sacrifice by suffering loss and hardship and suppressing one’s ego. In every situation, one must continue the prophetic dawah mission. That is why it has been called ‘jihad in the path of God’. (9:24) By engaging in dawah work, one can become eligible for Divine reward.