Definition

1. Noun:
   • A holy struggle or striving by a Muslim for a moral, spiritual, or political goal: This is the primary meaning, referring to a personal or collective effort to live according to Islamic principles, improve oneself, or promote justice.
   • A holy war waged by Muslims against infidels: This is a more specific, militant interpretation, often used in historical or political contexts to describe armed conflict in defense of Islam.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Spiritual/Moral Struggle):
  • For many Muslims, the greatest jihad is the inner struggle against sin.
  • His daily prayer and charity are part of his personal jihad to become a better person.
• Noun (Armed Conflict):
  • The historical figure declared a jihad against the invading forces.
  • The term is often misused by extremists to justify violence.

Advanced Usage

• "To wage a jihad": to engage in or carry out a jihad, which can be spiritual or military.
  • The community waged a peaceful jihad against poverty through education.
• "Greater jihad" vs. "Lesser jihad": In Islamic tradition, the "greater jihad" (al-jihad al-akbar) is the internal struggle for self-mastery, while the "lesser jihad" (al-jihad al-asghar) refers to external, physical defense.
  • The prophet emphasized that the greater jihad is the struggle within one's own soul.

Variants and Related Words

• Jihadi (noun): A person engaged in a jihad, often (but not exclusively) used in contemporary media to refer to a militant Islamist fighter.
  • The government is monitoring suspected jihadis.
• Jihadism (noun): An ideology advocating for jihad, typically interpreted as armed struggle.
  • The lecture focused on the roots of modern jihadism.

Synonyms

• Struggle: A forceful effort, conflict, or fight.
• Crusade: A vigorous concerted movement for a cause (note: "Crusade" has a specific Christian historical context and is not a perfect synonym).
• Holy war: A war declared or fought for a religious purpose.

Related Phrases

• "To be on a jihad": to be actively engaged in a struggle for a cause.
  • She is on a jihad to reform the education system.

Related Idioms

• "A jihad against something": a determined campaign against a particular thing.
  • The mayor launched a jihad against corruption in city hall.

Noun

1. a holy struggle or striving by a Muslim for a moral or spiritual or political goal
2. a holy war waged by Muslims against infidels