The True Jihad

In this verse, the search for the truth has been called jihad—that is to say, making efforts to discover God, attain God-realisation, and search for ways to develop closeness with God. This jihad has no relation with war or confrontation. 2. In the same way, the Quran speaks of true believers as those who strive with their wealth for the cause of God. It says: “The believers are only those who have faith in God and His Messenger and then doubt not, but strive, hard with their wealth and their persons for the cause of God. Such are the truthful ones.” (49:15) According to this verse, to spend one’s wealth in God’s path is an act of jihad. 3. Likewise, the Quran says: “…do not yield to those who deny the truth, but strive with the utmost strenuousness using this [Quran, to convey its message to them].” (25:52) In other words, this is an instruction to engage in peaceful struggle or efforts to spread the teachings of the Quran. 4. Similarly, the Prophet is reported to have said: Almujahidu man jahada nafsahu fi ta’atillah. (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 23967) It means that a mujahid