Definition

Noun: * A military force of Muslim guerrilla warriors engaged in a jihad: The term refers to individuals or groups who fight in a holy war, particularly in contexts of resistance or insurgency. It is the plural form of mujahid (one who engages in jihad).

Usage

• The word is used as a plural noun to describe fighters. It is often used in historical, political, and military contexts, particularly relating to conflicts in Muslim-majority regions.
• Important Note on Connotation: As the reference context indicates, the term's interpretation is highly dependent on perspective. It can carry a neutral/descriptive meaning ("guerrilla warriors"), a positive connotation from the viewpoint of supporters ("holy warriors"), or a negative connotation from the viewpoint of opponents ("terrorists"). The context in which it is used is crucial for understanding the speaker's implied meaning.

Examples

• The fought against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s.
• Reports described the village as a base for the .
• The group identified themselves as engaged in a defensive struggle.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in Western media and academic writing to specifically refer to the Afghan resistance fighters of the Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989).
• In broader contemporary usage, it can be applied to various Islamist insurgent groups in different conflicts, though many such groups now use more specific names.

Variants and Related Words

• Mujahid (noun, singular): A single Muslim guerrilla warrior engaged in jihad.
• Mujahidin (noun): An alternative transliteration/spelling of .
• Jihad (noun): A struggle or fight, especially a holy war undertaken on behalf of Islam as a religious duty.
• Guerrilla (noun): A member of a small independent group taking part in irregular fighting, typically against larger regular forces.

Synonyms

• Holy warriors
• Freedom fighters (often used by supporters)
• Insurgents
• Rebels
• Militants

Related Phrases / Contextual Notes

• "Afghan mujahideen": This specific phrase almost always refers to the various Afghan resistance groups that fought the Soviet Union and the Soviet-backed Afghan government in the 1980s.
• The term itself does not inherently mean "terrorist," though some groups designated as terrorist organizations may refer to themselves as . The application of the label "terrorist" is a subjective political and legal designation, not a linguistic feature of the word.

Noun

1. a military force of Muslim guerilla warriors engaged in a jihad
   • some call the mujahidin international warriors but others just call them terrorists