Religious Glossary - common terms used related to Religion
Jihad - Centuries-old Arabic term translated literally
as "holy war" or "endeavor." In recent years, Muslim fighters,
especially in the Arab-Israeli conflict, have used the term
almost solely to mean "holy war," often waged through terrorist
attacks on civilians. PLO chairman Yasir Arafat caused a stir
when he called for a "jihad to liberate Jerusalem," even after
renouncing the use of violence against Israel. (Israel
Project)
Jihad is an Arabic word that means "striving in the way of
God." This striving can take a number of forms, including
the daily inner struggle to be a better person. However, jihad
is often used to refer to an armed struggle fought in defense
of Islam.
From the verb jahada, to struggle. Effort or striving in
God's path. When it refers to the individual effort to conquer
himself or passions, it is called greater jihad. When it refers
to the communal effort at a defensive war against the enemies
of Islam, then it is called lesser jihad. A person who wages
jihad is called a mujahid.
|
