Jihad, Peaceful Mission and Religious Expansion Today

1Why this topic matters

You may have heard the word jihad in the news, often linked with violence. Some armed groups have used the word to justify terrorism, and Muslim scholars around the world have condemned them. Christianity too has periods in its history when force was used in the name of faith. This lesson explains what jihad really means in Islam, compares it with Christian teaching, and asks why the peaceful spread of religion still matters today.

21. The meaning of jihad

Jihad is an Arabic word meaning "striving" or "struggling". In Islam it means striving in the way of God. Muslims explain it in several forms:

1. The inner struggle against one's own selfishness, anger, laziness and temptation. A well-known Muslim saying calls this the "greater jihad".
2. Striving to do good: learning, teaching, being honest, caring for parents and the poor, and inviting people to goodness (da'wah).
3. Striving for justice: speaking the truth and standing up against injustice and corruption in society.
4. Armed defence, allowed only to defend against attack and under strict rules. The Qur'an says:

"Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors." (Qur'an 2:190)

Classical Islamic teaching forbids harming people who are not fighting, such as women, children, old people and religious leaders, and forbids destroying crops without need.

32. Why terrorism contradicts Islamic teaching

"… whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind." (Qur'an 5:32)

For other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth means "except as lawful punishment for murder or for spreading great harm". Killing innocent people is therefore like killing all humanity. The Qur'an also describes Muslims as "a middle nation" (Qur'an 2:143), a community of balance and moderation, not extremes.

43. Christian teaching: the good fight and peaceful witness

Christians also speak of a spiritual struggle: "Fight the good fight of faith." (1 Timothy 6:12). This is a fight against sin, not against people. Christians are told to share their faith gently:

"Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear" (1 Peter 3:15)

Jesus said: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9)

An honest note on history: in the past, both Christian and Muslim rulers sometimes used war and political power to spread their faith or their rule; the Crusades (1096–1291) are one example. Today, the leaders of both faiths teach that faith must be shared only by peaceful means and accepted freely.

54. The importance of religious expansion in modern society

When religion spreads peacefully, it can:

• spread moral values such as honesty, respect and responsibility;
• build schools, hospitals and health centres; in Rwanda many are run by churches and by the Muslim community;
• support orphans, widows, refugees and the poor;
• promote peace, unity and reconciliation, as faith communities have done since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi;
• give people hope and meaning in hard times.

When it spreads wrongly, through force, pressure, bribery, deception or insults against other faiths, it causes conflict. Rules for peaceful mission in both faiths: respect freedom (Qur'an 2:256); respect other faiths; be honest; do not pay or pressure people to convert; show faith by good example.

Worked example

Question: "Jihad simply means holy war." Evaluate this statement. (4 marks)

Model answer: The statement is mostly wrong. Jihad means "striving" in the way of God, and its most important forms are the inner struggle against one's own evil desires and the effort to do good and to establish justice (2 marks). Armed struggle is only one form, allowed for defence under strict rules: Qur'an 2:190 says "begin not hostilities", and Qur'an 5:32 teaches that killing one innocent person is like killing all mankind (1 mark). So jihad cannot be reduced to "holy war", and terrorism is a misuse of the word (1 mark).

Practice