Greater and lesser jihad

Jihad means striving to do what is right

Jihad means ‘striving’ or ‘struggling’. In Islam, it refers to the effort to overcome evil and live in a way that pleases Allah. This can involve resisting personal temptations, improving society or defending the Muslim community. Its meaning is therefore much wider than warfare.

The Qur’an teaches, ‘This is my path, leading straight so follow it’ (Qur’an 6:153). Following that path requires effort: knowing what is right does not always make doing it easy. Jihad connects belief in Allah with the choices Muslims make in everyday life.

Jihad is important in both Sunni and Shi’a Islam. Shi’a Muslims include it among the Ten Obligatory Acts. Sunni Muslims also recognise its importance, although it is not one of the Five Pillars.

Greater jihad: the struggle within

Greater jihad is the personal, inward struggle to live according to Islamic teachings. It involves resisting selfishness, dishonesty and other temptations, while developing qualities such as patience and generosity. Many Muslims regard it as the more important struggle because it is a continuing responsibility, rather than something relevant only during conflict.

Observing the Five Pillars can involve greater jihad. A Muslim may need self-discipline to pray regularly despite a busy day, fast despite hunger, or give to charity rather than spend everything on themselves. Learning the Qur’an by heart can also require sustained effort and commitment.

These actions are not simply tests of endurance. Their purpose is to strengthen obedience to Allah, purify a person’s character and deepen their relationship with him. Greater jihad can also benefit others: overcoming selfishness may encourage someone to help neighbours or support people in need. An inward struggle can therefore influence the wider community.

Lesser jihad: defending the faith

Lesser jihad is the outward struggle to defend Islam against threats. In its military sense, it concerns defending the faith and the Muslim community under strict conditions. Fighting for a religious cause is sometimes described as a ‘holy war’, but this does not capture the whole meaning of jihad.

The origins of military lesser jihad lie in the experiences of the early Muslim community. Muhammad and his followers faced persecution and threats, and Muhammad permitted fighting to defend the community and its freedom to practise Islam. His example, recorded in Muslim tradition, and the teachings of the Qur’an provide a basis for later understandings of legitimate defence.

‘Permission to fight has been given to those who are being fought’ (Qur’an 22:39) links permission to fight with being attacked. Similarly, ‘Fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits’ (Qur’an 2:190) combines permission for defence with a restriction on how fighting is conducted. Neither teaching gives unrestricted permission to use violence.

Outward struggle need not always involve weapons. A teaching attributed to Muhammad describes the best jihad as ‘the word of justice in front of an oppressive ruler’. Speaking courageously against injustice is another way of struggling against evil.

When can military lesser jihad be declared?

The idea that war may sometimes be justified does not mean that any conflict can be called lesser jihad. Traditional conditions require that it:

• Is declared and organised by a religious leader, rather than undertaken merely on the decision of an individual or politician.
• Has a recognisably just cause, such as defending the faith against attack or persecution, and is fought in the name of Allah and according to his will.
• Is a last resort, after other ways of resolving the problem have been tried and have failed.
• Is not a war of aggression, motivated by conquest or the desire to gain territory.

There are also limits on its conduct. Innocent people must be protected, and trees, crops and animals must not be destroyed. These restrictions prevent a claim of religious purpose from excusing indiscriminate harm.

Peace remains important even when fighting has begun. The Qur’an instructs Muslims to incline towards peace if the enemy seeks peace. Military defence is therefore understood as a response to necessity, not a reason to prolong conflict when peace is possible.

Different understandings and their influence

Muslims may emphasise different aspects of jihad. Those who stress greater jihad focus on the daily effort to become a better person. Those who defend the possibility of military lesser jihad argue that a persecuted community may need protection to survive and practise its religion freely. These understandings need not conflict: someone can value personal self-discipline while believing that defensive fighting is sometimes justified.

Other teachings encourage responding to hostility without violence: ‘Repel evil with what is seen as better, then your enemy will become your friend’ (Qur’an 41:34). This supports efforts to overcome hostility through good conduct and reconciliation.

Some extremist groups claim that violence fulfils jihad. However, most Muslims condemn terrorism, and deliberately targeting innocent civilians conflicts with the restrictions on lesser jihad. A claim to be defending Islam is not enough: both the purpose of the struggle and the methods used must be judged against Islamic teachings.

Two understandings

• Jihad: striving or struggling against evil in obedience to Allah.
• Greater jihad: inward struggle against temptation; expressed through worship, self-discipline and good character. A continuing daily responsibility.
• Lesser jihad: outward defence of Islam; military defence is permitted only under strict conditions.
• Jihad is one of the Ten Obligatory Acts in Shi’a Islam; it is important in Sunni Islam but is not a Five Pillar.

Origins and authority

• Early Muslims faced persecution; Muhammad permitted defensive fighting.
• Qur’an 22:39: permission to fight for those being attacked.
• Qur’an 2:190: fight those who fight you, but ‘do not exceed the limits’.
• Qur’an 41:34: respond to evil with what is better, supporting reconciliation.

Conditions and limits

Declaration: religious leadership; just cause in accordance with Allah’s will; last resort; no aggression or territorial conquest.

Conduct: protect innocent people, trees, crops and animals; accept opportunities for peace.

Significance

Greater jihad strengthens faith and character and can benefit the community. Lesser jihad may protect religious freedom, but a religious claim does not justify terrorism or attacks on civilians.