Strive or Struggle (JIHAD

the truth, then the environment of wrongdoing is gradually weakened, and goodness comes to prevail. Jihad means removing every challenge that arises in the course of living by one’s faith. Since these obstacles come both from within and from outside, a person engaged in jihad sometimes struggles against their own self, and at other times works to overcome the challenges of the external world. At times, one must fight one’s own desires; at other times, one must critique and confront wrong practices; and at times, one must practically address the challenges that stand in the way of truth. The Prophet of Islam said: “Strive against your desires just as you strive against your enemies.” (Al-Mufradat fi Gharib al-Quran, p. 208) Raghib al-Isfahani, in light of the Prophetic teachings, said: “Striving is carried out both by the hand and by the tongue.” (Al-Mufradat, root ‘j-h-d’)