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Jihad (⫽dʒɪˈhɑːd⫽; Arabic: جِهَاد, romanized: jihād [dʒiˈhaːd]) is an Arabic word which literally means "striving" or "struggling", especially with a praiseworthy aim.[1][2][3][4] In an Islamic context, it can refer to almost any exertion of effort to make personal and social life conform with God's guidance, such as internal struggle against one's evil inclinations, proselytizing, or efforts toward the betterment of the Muslim community (Ummah),[1][2][5][6] though in non-Muslim societies the term is most often associated with armed conflict.[4][7]
Jihad is classified into inner ("greater") jihad, which involves a struggle against one's own passions and impulses, and external ("lesser") jihad, which is further subdivided into jihad of the pen/tongue (debate or persuasion) and jihad of the sword.[5][8][9] Much of the contemporary Muslim opinion considers internal jihad to have primacy over external jihad in the Islamic tradition. The analysis of a large survey from 2002 reveals considerable nuance in the conceptions of jihad held by Muslims around the world, ranging from promoting peace and righteous living to fighting against the opponents of Islam.[10]
In classical Islamic law (sharia), the term refers to armed struggle against unbelievers, particularly polytheistic pagans,[2][3] while modernist Islamic scholars generally equate military jihad with defensive warfare.[11][12] The Quran states that people following monotheistic religions who are guided by earlier revelations, such as Judaism and Christianity, should be allowed to continue practising their religion, with a preference for them being under Muslim rule, especially so in the classical interpretation which was employed during the early Muslim conquests in the 7th century CE.[13][14][15] In the Quran, greater jihad refers to spiritual and moral struggle, and has traditionally been emphasized in Sufi circles.[5][9][3] The term has gained additional attention in recent decades through its use by various insurgent Islamic extremist, militant Islamist, and terrorist individuals and organizations whose ideology is based on the Islamic notion of jihad.[5][7][16][17]
The word jihad appears frequently in the Qur'an with and without military connotations,[18] often in the idiomatic expression "striving in the path of God (al-jihad fi sabil Allah)",[19][20] conveying a sense of self-exertion.[21] They[who?] developed an elaborate set of rules pertaining to jihad, including prohibitions on harming those who are not engaged in combat.[22][23] In the modern era, the notion of jihad has lost its jurisprudential relevance and instead given rise to an ideological and political discourse.[5][11] While modernist Islamic scholars have emphasized the defensive and non-military aspects of jihad, some Islamists have advanced aggressive interpretations that go beyond the classical theory.[11][17]
The sense of jihad as armed resistance was first used in the context of persecution faced by Muslims, as when Muhammad was at Mecca, when the community had two choices: emigration (hijra) or jihad.[24] In Twelver Shi'a Islam, jihad is one of the Ancillaries of the Faith.[25] A person engaged in jihad is called a mujahid (plural: mujahideen). The term jihad is often rendered in English as "Holy War",[26][27][28] although this translation is controversial.[29][30] Today, the word jihad is often used without religious connotations, like the English crusade.[1][2]
OEIP
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).jihad Literally 'struggle' which has many meanings, though most frequently associated with war.
Literally meaning "struggle", jihad may be associated with almost any activity by which Muslims attempt to bring personal and social life into a pattern of conformity with the guidance of God.
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was invoked but never defined (see the help page).In classical Muslim doctrine on war, likewise, genuine non-combatants are not to be harmed. These include women, minors, servants and slaves who do not take part in the fighting, the blind, monks, hermits, the aged, those physically unable to fight, the insane, the delirious, farmers who do not fight, traders, merchants, and contractors. The main criterion distinguishing combatants from non-combatants is that the latter do not fight and do not contribute to the war effort.
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