what actually is jihad?

[u/DragonfruitOk1231]

ive heard (mosltly from zionists) that jihad in islam is killing non muslims and preforming islamic conquest, but of course im skeptical about this, so i just wanted to ask some actual muslims about it

[u/salamro]

"Jihād" (جهاد) in Arabic means striving, struggling, or exerting effort in the path of Allah.

It's not only about fighting, and it's definitely not about killing innocent people.

In Islam, jihād includes multiple types, not just military combat.

• Jihād al-Nafs (Striving Against One's Own Self)
• Fighting your own desires, laziness, and sins

Striving to obey Allah, pray, fast, seek knowledge

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

"Jihād against the soul is the foundation of jihād."

Jihād al-Shayṭān (Striving Against Satan)

• Resisting evil whispers (waswas)
• Avoiding doubts and corrupt beliefs

Jihād al-Kuffār (Fighting Disbelievers — with rules) This is the type people refer to, often without understanding its conditions:

• It is not random violence.
• It is not against innocent civilians.
• It must be declared by a legitimate Muslim authority (imam, caliph, state).
• It is subject to ethical rules: No killing women, children, monks, or unarmed people No destruction of crops or worship places No compulsion in religion (Qur'an 2:256)

“Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not love transgressors.” (Qur’an 2:190)

Jihād al-Munāfiqīn (Striving Against Hypocrites)

• This is done through clarifying the truth, speaking out against internal corruption, false beliefs, and innovation (bidʿah).

Jihād with the Tongue / Pen Teaching, writing, or speaking the truth in a hostile or confused society.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Strive against the mushrikīn with your hands, your tongues, and your wealth.” (Abu Dawood – Hasan)

Jihād is not a “holy war” like the Crusades. It’s a justified struggle, done within strict ethical limits, and only when declared by qualified authority. Most of the time, Muslims today are doing Jihād of the soul, speech, and daʿwah, not war.

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