The Lesser and the Greater Jihad

In present times, certain Muslims are engaged in a violent confrontations in numerous countries. However, almost without exception, these are not Islamic jihads, but, instead, what is called fasad, or anarchy. They are a form of guerrilla war that is illegitimate in Islam because it is conducted by non-governmental actors rather than an established government. A fundamental difference between jihad and qital is that Jihad in dawah is a general commandment, while jihad in war is a temporary action. The dawah jihad has to be engaged in and under all circumstances. The objective of the jihad of dawah is to convey the message of God to all people in every generation. As jihad of dawah is a continuous struggle, it has been called jihad-e-kabir or ‘great jihad’ in the Quran (25:52). The Islamic mission of dawah, or inviting people to God, is called jihad as it has to be undertaken at the cost of sacrifice by suffering loss and hardship and suppressing one’s ego. In every situation, one must continue the prophetic dawah mission. That is why it has been called ‘jihad in the path of God’. (9:24) By engaging in dawah work, one can become eligible for Divine reward.