Strive or Struggle (JIHAD

Strive or Struggle (Jihad) kind of effort—going against one’s desires in order to move toward God—that is what we call jihad. When a person decides that he will live his life according to the will of God, he immediately realizes that there are two powerful forces that strongly block this intention. On one side is a person’s own self, and on the other is taghut. By the self is meant the inner impulse that constantly seeks pleasure and comfort. It looks for ease at all times. It desires status and superiority. It does not pause to consider what should or should not be done; rather, it moves in whatever direction it feels inclined. This impulse drives a person to do whatever satisfies these desires and to avoid anything that might restrain or challenge them. By taghut is meant the corrupt environment that surrounds a person in the form of misguided customs and social norms, exerting pressure on them. The external forces behind these customs create resistance both directly and indirectly. Indirectly, they shape a situation in which a person feels they have no choice