Jihad: Greater and Lesser
Jihad means to struggle in the way of Allah. Discover the greater jihad, the inner spiritual struggle that Islam treats as most important, and the lesser jihad, an outward struggle allowed only under strict conditions and never a justification for harming the innocent.
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The meaning of jihad ☪️
The word **jihad** means to **struggle** or **strive** in the way of **Allah**. For most Muslims it is above all a personal, spiritual effort to live a good life. Islamic teaching describes two kinds: the **greater jihad**, the inner struggle, and the **lesser jihad**, an outward struggle that is strictly limited. The greater jihad is seen as the more important.
The language of jihad 🔑
Four ideas run through this module:
Greater and lesser jihad ⚖️
Islamic teaching describes two kinds of jihad, and treats the inner, greater jihad as the more important.
Match each term to its meaning 🔗
- Greater jihad
- Lesser jihad
- Self-defence
- Last resort
- The inner struggle to be a good and faithful Muslim
- The outward struggle to defend Islam, under strict rules
- The only cause for which a lesser jihad may be fought
- Force may be used only after peaceful means have failed
Which is more important? 🎯
In Islamic teaching, which kind of jihad is treated as the more important?
- The greater jihad, the inner spiritual struggle
- The lesser jihad, any outward struggle
- Neither is considered important
- Only the lesser jihad matters
Strict conditions, never terrorism 🕊️
A lesser jihad is not an unlimited holy war. It may be fought only under **strict conditions**: it must be declared by a **fair religious authority**, be a **last resort** after peaceful efforts fail, be fought in **self-defence**, spare **innocent civilians**, be **proportionate**, and stop as soon as the other side stops. The Qur'an teaches that Muslims may defend themselves against those who attack them but must not transgress the limits or begin hostilities, Surah 2:190. Because of these rules, jihad does **not** mean terrorism or attacking innocent people. Most Muslims understand jihad first of all as the inner struggle to live well.
Conditions for a lesser jihad ✅
Select the TWO statements that are TRUE about the conditions for a lesser jihad.
- It must be a last resort, after peaceful means have failed
- Innocent civilians must not be harmed
- It can be started for any reason at all
- It should continue even after the enemy has stopped
Jihad in words 🧩
The word jihad means to _____ in the way of Allah. The _____ jihad is the inner, personal struggle to be a good Muslim, and it is seen as the more important. The _____ jihad is an outward struggle, allowed only under strict _____. Jihad does not mean _____.
The conditions in order 🪜
An interactive activity.
Spot the true statements 🖍️
An interactive activity.
What does jihad mean? 📖
What does the word jihad literally mean?
- To struggle or strive in the way of Allah
- To go on pilgrimage to Makkah
- To give money to the poor
- To fast during Ramadan
Apply the conditions 🧭
An interactive activity.
Greater and lesser jihad ✍️
An interactive activity.