Chapter Two

The Concept of Jihad in Islam All of these movements have been launched, and are being carried out, by what in today’s parlance are called nongovernmental organizations. If some of their so-called jihadi activities enjoy the support of some Muslim government, this support is being provided in a clandestine and undeclared manner. However, according to the shariah, a Muslim government has the right to engage in jihad only when it openly declares this. It is impermissible, according to Islam, for a Muslim government to engage in qital, or war, without such a declaration. The violent activities presently engaged in by Muslims in various parts of the world in the name of jihad are, to use modern-day terms, of two types: guerilla war and proxy war. And both of these types of war are, without any doubt, illegitimate in Islam. Guerilla war is illegitimate in Islam because it is conducted by non-state actors, and not an established government. And proxy war is illegitimate because it is engaged in by a government without its having made an open declaration of hostilities. Islamic jihad is thus a positive and continuous action or process. It continues uninterrupted in the life of a believer and has three large spheres: 1. Jihad an-Nafs: This is the struggle to control one’s negative emotions and desires, and under all conditions, remain always firm in the way of life that is pleasing to God. 2. Jihad-e Dawah: This is the struggle to convey the message of God to all of humankind, and for this purpose to make every effort, inspired by compassion and concern for the welfare of all. This is an exalted task, and so the Quran calls it jihad-e-kabir, or ‘great jihad’. 3. Jihad-e A‘ada: This is the effort to preserve the True Religion under all circumstances. In the past, this jihad was basically a peaceful action, and it remains so now as well. Accordingly, then, jihad is a peaceful struggle, and not a violent one.