Since 9/11, the word "Jihad" has become a household word.  Jihad literally means "struggle" in Arabic.  Among conservative Muslims, the word has come to mean "holy war".

There are actually two kinds of Jihad.  There is the Greater Jihad, which is the inner struggle for sanctity.  Then there is the Lesser Jihad, or an actual fight against infidels, or non-Muslims.  For our purposes, we will discuss only the Lesser Jihad.  After all, this is the Jihad that has resulted in countless attacks against U.S. and Israeli interests.  The Muslim scripture - the Qur'an - refers to Jews and Christians specifically as infidels.  Therefore, it should be no surprise that Israel and the U.S. (a nation at least founded as a Christian nation) would be the primary targets of the Jihad. 

Many would say that only "radical" Muslims espouse Jihad.  If that is so, then every Muslim who believes in the Qur'an must be radical.  As you shall see, the Qur'an specifically makes a case for waging Jihad against infidels.  The following are quotes from the Qur'an:

• "Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into the hearts of the enemies of Allah...Whatever ye spend in the cause of Allah shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly." (Surah 8:60)

• "Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure," (Surah 61:4). 

• "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress limits...191And slay them wherever ye catch them. and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for persecution is worse than slaughter; But fight them not at the sacred Mosque unless they (first) fight you there; But if they fight you, slay them.  Such is the reward of those who reject faith.  ¹⁹² But if they cease, Allah is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.  ¹⁹³And fight them on until there is no more persecution. And the religion becomes Allah's.  But if they cease, Let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression" (Surah 2:190-193).

• "O ye who believe! what is the matter with you, that, when ye are asked to go forth in the cause of Allah, ye cling heavily to the earth? Do ye prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life, as compared with the Hereafter.  Unless ye go forth, He will punish you with a grievous penalty, and put others in your place; but Him ye would not harm in the least. For Allah hath power over all things.  Unless ye go forth, He will punish you with a grievous penalty, and put others in your place; but Him ye would not harm in the least. For Allah hath power over all things," (Surah 9:38-39).

• "For the unbelievers are to you open enemies" (Surah 4:101)

• "Seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and in any case take no friends or helpers from their ranks." (Surah 4:89)

• "Then fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them and seize them, beleaguer them and lie in wait for them in every stratagem of war." (Surah 9:5)

As you can see, the commandment to wage a holy war against infidels comes not from some radical Islamic cleric.  It comes, in fact, from the Islamic scripture!  And while there are radical Muslim sects, one of which thinks that Jihad should be the sixth Pillar of Islam, the practice of Jihad is mainstream.  For even more evidence, let's refer to the Hadith.  The Hadith are the quotes and actions of the Muslim prophet Muhammad.  They are often used in conjunction with the Qur'an to clarify scripture.  As you can see, Muhammad favored Holy War as well:

• "The Prophet said, "The person who participates in (Holy battles) in Allah's cause and nothing compels him to do so except belief in Allah and His Apostles, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward, or booty (if he survives) or will be admitted to Paradise (if he is killed in the battle as a martyr). Had I not found it difficult for my followers, then I would not remain behind any sariya going for Jihad and I would have loved to be martyred in Allah's cause and then made alive, and then martyred and then made alive, and then again martyred in His cause." Volume 1, Book 2, Number 35, Narrated Abu Huraira.
• "Allah's Apostle said, "A pious slave gets a double reward." Abu Huraira added: By Him in Whose Hands my soul is but for Jihad (i.e. holy battles), Hajj, and my duty to serve my mother, I would have loved to die as a slave. Volume 3, Book 46, Number 724: Narrated Abu Huraira.
• "Allah's Apostle said, "Allah guarantees (the person who carries out Jihad in His Cause and nothing compelled him to go out but Jihad in His Cause and the belief in His Word) that He will either admit him into Paradise (Martyrdom) or return him with reward or booty he has earned to his residence from where he went out." Volume 9, Book 93, Number 555: Narrated Abu Huraira.

Why is it important to know this?  Because every non-Muslim must realize that according to Islam, you are an infidel.  And to a faithful Muslim who believes the Qur'an and faithfully executes his religious duties, you are an enemy. 

It's also important to know this, because fundamental Islamic nations make war and fund terror based on the belief in Jihad.  Many of these nations outlaw not only Christian evangelizing, but also the very practice of Christianity.  People have been imprisoned and even sentenced to death for being openly Christian.   These people are Christian martyrs, who contended for their faith and the cost of their own earthly lives.  What great rewards God must have for them in Heaven! 

See also Jihad in the Q'uran and Hadith

RETURN TO ISLAM MAIN PAGE