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GCSE Islam: Unit 2C

3.7 Jihad
3.7 What
z is Jihad? The Arabic term for a struggle is called
juhd, which is where the word jihad
comes from.
There are many times in life when we
must make difficult choices that affect us
and others too. For example, telling lies
may appear to solve our problems in the
short term, but they can affect others and
can make things a lot worse later.
Therefore, approaching various struggles
in life and making wise choices are a
significant aspect of a Muslim’s faith.
 z

The Greater jihad

The Greater jihad is striving to resist evil within oneself and to become a
better person by doing good deeds. This includes suppressing anger and
helping the poor. Greater jihad is also known as the ‘inner jihad’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECZBV7luaMY
Muslim scholars have identified some
categories
z for this, including:

 Jihad bi al-nafs (striving with the soul) –

aiming to improve one’s character, for
example through prayer and fasting.

 Jihad bi al-lisan (striving with the tongue)

– speaking the truth or telling others
about Islam

 Jihad bi al-qalam (striving with the pen) –

writing about, or in defence of, your
beliefs.
 z

The Lesser Jihad

The Lesser jihad is striving to resist evil in the world through physical or
military means. This includes fighting an enemy in a war. Many Muslims
believe that, like most nation states, they must defend their faith and their
land when under attack.

The Quran states:

‘Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because
they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victor.’
(Surah 22:39).
Any form zof war must be approved by a religious
leader, fought in self-defence and not used to either
convert people to Islam or gain land.

Strict rules exist about how lesser jihad can be

carried out. For example:

 It must be in defence of Allah.

 It must be the last resort.
 Peace must be restored.
 Mercy must be shown.

Islam teaches that lesser jihad can never be used to

justify terrorist attacks.
 z
GCSE Examination Questions:

a) Outline three conditions that are required for lesser jihad to be declared.
(3)

b) Explain two reasons why jihad is important to Muslims.

(4)

d) “The hardest jihad is the struggle for goodness in your life.”

Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In your response you
should:
 Refer to Muslim teachings
 Reach a justified conclusion
 z
GCSE Examination Questions:

b) Explain two reasons why jihad is important to Muslims. (4

marks)

Jihad is the Arabic term for a struggle. The Greater jihad is striving to resist
evil within oneself and to become a better person by doing good deeds.
This is important to Muslims as they are expected to forgive others, follow
the Five Pillars of Islam, tell the truth etc…
The Lesser jihad is striving to resist evil in the world through physical or
military means and this includes fighting an enemy in a war. This is
important because Muslims believe that, like most nation states, they must
defend their faith and their land when under attack.
z
The hardest jihad isn’t the struggle for goodness in your
life because….

Many people struggle daily

with great physical and
mental hardships. People
with diseases that cause
great suffering, the struggle
to find food, to find paid
employment, to access to
clean water, living with a
mental illness etc…
z The hardest jihad isn’t the struggle for goodness in your
life because….

There are many Muslims

throughout the world who are
struggling because they are
victims of persecution. These
believers are being oppressed
because of their faith and they
are prepared to use violence to
safeguard their way of life and
religious values (The Lesser
jihad).
z The hardest jihad isn’t the struggle for goodness in your life
because….

The prophet Muhammad taught a

young man that his greatest struggle
was to perform his duty to his parents
by looking after them and he did not
give him permission to go to war.

Many Muslims would argue that the

greatest struggle that many people face
is to put family duty before self-interest.