What does jihad mean and who were the warring fractions?

Answer 1

There are two questions here:

1) What is a Jihad?

Jihad is a tenet of Islam and a religious duty to strive in the way of God. There are two general ways to do this, the Greater Jihad and the Lesser Jihad. The Greater Jihad is an introspective journey to conquer your internal demons and follow the Divine Laws more closely than previously; this kind of jihad should be entirely peaceful. The Lesser Jihad refers to conflicts and confrontations between Muslims and Non-Muslims or other Muslims, which often erupt in war, but can also be performed through non-violent protests, debate, and advocacy.

2) Who were the Warring Factions?

If this is referring to the original jihads, these were the wars by Meccans, lead by the Polytheistic Qoreish Tribe against the Medinan Confederacy of Muslims and other tribes (both Polytheists and Jews). As time has gone on there have been innumerable jihads against numerous enemies. In the Middle Ages and up to the modern day (like in the Iran-Iraq War) Muslims will even declare jihad against other Muslims if it suits them politically.

Answer 2

Jihad is fighting for the sake of God (Allah). What do you exactly mean by "Who were the wawrring fractions?" You can click "Improve" and explain it more thoroughly under this answer.