What does the Qur'an teach about jihad?

Answer 1

Jihad is of two types:

• self Jihad (or oneself struggle and is called the greatest Jihad), and

• military Jihad (or struggle with others and is called the smallest Jihad)

Self Jihad is that any Muslim should practice Jihad or self struggle to avoid doing wrong deeds and/or committing sins that are forbidden by Islam and by his community.

Regarding Military Jihad, it is licit only in two cases:

• First: to defend home land and home people against any invaders.

• Second: to provide help and support to other people who are oppressed and unable to practice their own will and freedom of choice.

In both cases, Muslims (as in all other faiths) are commanded, by their religion and by Quran, to be fair and just. They should not kill a woman, child, or an old man or any civilian. They are commanded not to be excessive in using force and not to terrify civilians.

As a simple evidence of correctness of these arguments: Compare when Muslims came to Egypt (on request of the Christians there) and when the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea was invaded by the Westerners claiming to liberate Jerusalem. Those who are seeking the truth can refer to Western and Christian historians themselves to recognize that Muslims were never violent or aggressive in practicing Jihad but were always fair. Another example, compare what Muslims offered to Spain when they were in control of Spain and how they didn't even cut a tree or destroyed a house or killed a single woman or destroyed a single church. It was the opposite. They spread civilization, peace, and development. Compare this by the Westerner's doing with Muslims (and Jews) when they got control of the country. It is said Westerners and not Christians. it is believed that true Christians never, also, divert from being just and fair.
Quran, Muslims Holy book, says (English meaning translation):
"... O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealings, and let not the hatred of others to you (and oppression practiced by others on you) make you swerve to wrong and depart from Justice. Be just: that is next to Piety and fear Allah (God)..."

[Quran, chapter 5, verse 8]

Those who think that Islam and Quran are justifying Jihad against other religions can refer to the Quran sayings (meaning English translation):
".... You will find the nearest in love to Muslims those who say "we are Christians'. That is because amongst them are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world and they are not arrogant. And when they listen to the Quran revelation received by the Messenger (Muhammad), you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognized. ... So because of what they said, Allah (God) rewarded them ...."

[Quran, chapter 5, verses 82-86]

Jihad was licit only for the reasons above and never was to force other non-Muslims to be Muslims. God explains in Quran that he caused the different nations with different beliefs only for them to compete in doing good deeds that bring them closer to God, but not to stay in conflict. Quran says:

"... If Allah had willed, He would have made you one nation (one belief), but that may test you in what He has given you; so compete in good deeds; then God will inform you about that in which you used to differ"

[Quran, chapter 5, verse 48]

and the Quran Golden Rule says (Meaning English translation):

"There is no compulsion in religion..."

[Quran, Chapter 2, verse 256]

Also, God commands Muslims to maintain friendly and cooperative relations with people of other beliefs. In the Quran, Holy book of Islam, God has said:

" God does not forbid you from showing kindness and dealing justly with those who have not fought you about religion and have not driven you out of your homes. God loves just dealers."

[Quran, chapter 60, verse 8]

The above is general view about what is called Jihad (especially in Islam) and about those who are practicing Jihad and are called, recently, jihadists.

However, those who explode themselves and losing their lives are not doing the Quran justified military Jihad, as commanded by Islam and other religions, unless they are doing it against military occupants or invaders. Those who explode themselves among civilians are not practicing the justified military Jihad, as commanded by Quran and other religions. They are not true jihadists. To the opposite, they are against Islam, and other religions, commands. They are terrorists, and not jihadists, for endangering and killing civilians and terrifying them. Islam and all religions are against terrorism. Those terrorists lose their lives against wrong cause.

Answer 2

there is many types of jihad , jihad of your self from doing bad thing and jihad your self to do good thing

quran says that who do jihad will have the paradise and that jihad is not easy and paradise is not free

Answer 3

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, as outlined in the Qur'an, 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. It is the Lesser Jihad which is often cast as a Holy War.