Jihad: Greater and Lesser
What jihad means in Islam: the greater jihad, the personal inner struggle to live well, and the lesser jihad, the outward struggle, with the strict conditions Muslim teaching places on any military form.
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What jihad means
The Arabic word jihad means struggle or striving. In Islam it does not simply mean fighting. Muslims understand jihad in two ways: the greater jihad, the inner struggle to live a good life, and the lesser jihad, an outward struggle that can include defending the faith under strict conditions. This module sets out both, in the way Muslims themselves describe them.
Jihad vocabulary
Learn these four terms before you study the two forms.
Greater and lesser
Muslims describe jihad in two forms, set out side by side.
Struggle, not simply fighting
A top answer starts from the meaning: jihad is a word for effort towards what is right, and Muslims teach that the greater, inner form matters most. The lesser jihad is not a free licence to fight. Muslim teaching binds it with strict conditions, such as a just cause, being declared by a proper authority, and never harming ordinary people. Report these ideas as what Muslims hold, and do not treat jihad as a word for violence.
Match the term
- jihad
- greater jihad
- lesser jihad
- striving
- the Arabic word for struggle
- the inner struggle to live well
- the outward struggle, bound by conditions
- making a real effort towards what is right
Greater or lesser
- resisting temptation
- keeping up daily prayer
- defending the community under strict rules
- controlling anger
- an example of the greater jihad
- another example of the greater jihad
- an example of the lesser jihad
- a further example of the greater jihad
What does jihad mean?
What does the Arabic word jihad mean?
- Struggle or striving.
- Only holy war.
- A set daily prayer.
- Fasting in Ramadan.
Examples of greater jihad
Select the TWO examples of the greater, inner jihad.
- Resisting temptation to do wrong.
- Making the effort to give to charity.
- Taking up a military struggle.
- Ignoring the teachings of Islam.
Order a balanced answer
Put the parts of a clear answer about jihad in order, earliest first.
- Give the meaning of jihad as struggle
- Explain the greater, inner jihad
- Explain the lesser, outward jihad
- Note the strict conditions on the lesser jihad
- Reach a clear, attributed conclusion
Complete the facts
The word jihad means _____. The _____ jihad is the inner struggle to be a good Muslim. The _____ jihad is the outward struggle, which may include defence. Muslims teach that the inner form is the more _____. Any military jihad is bound by strict _____.
Write an attributed statement
Build a statement that reports the belief accurately, rather than stating it as fact.
Spot the accurate statements
Tap the TWO statements that describe jihad accurately.
- jihad means struggle or striving
- the greater jihad is the inner struggle to live well
- jihad simply means holy war
- the lesser jihad has no conditions at all
Greater or lesser?
Read each example and decide which form of jihad it shows.
- A Muslim works hard to be honest and kind and to resist doing wrong. Which jihad is this?
- A community is attacked and defends itself under the strict conditions Muslim teaching sets. Which jihad is this?
- Someone claims jihad is just a word for violence with no rules. How should a careful student respond?
Explain jihad
Explain what Muslims mean by the greater and lesser jihad, and why many Muslims see the greater jihad as more important.
- Give the meaning of jihad and describe the greater jihad
- Describe the lesser jihad and the conditions placed on it
- Explain, with attribution, why the greater jihad is often seen as more important