What is Muhammad's Jihad?

The word "Jihad " means "struggle or striving" in the Way of God. Every effort made by a Muslim to do good acts comes under Jihad.
Muhammad (peace be on him) once said that the greatest Jihad is to speak the truth in the face of an oppressive ruler. This is because this requires real sincerity for truth and courage.
Once while addressing those who came back after a battle, he said that they should now get ready for a greater Jihad. When they asked in surprise what could be a greater Jihad than an actual battle, the Prophet said he meant the fight with one's own soul, against selfishness, greed, lust, and a hundred other evil inclinations.
One form of the Jihad is taking up arms to defend one's freedom or one's birthright to one's homeland. Another form of Jihad is the struggle to defend Islam or the Muslims when attacked. But Jihad can never be a tool of oppression for compelling a person to convert to Islam or striving for individual or national power, dominance, glory, wealth, prestige or pride, because God has prohibited the use of force in religion. (see 2: 256).

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[mansoura1877]

my this link to read more of my writings on Islam and jihad

[mansoura1877]

Yes, this interpretation is the one common among most scholars of Islam. The other forms of the so-called jihad are the wrong reaction to wars aganist Islamic territories like Plaestine or offenses like the offessive cartoons. I beleive that dialogue and the other forms of peaceful reactions should be adopted by us, Muslims. Most verses of the Quran where there's violence were revealed at times of war aganist Muslims. Islam is not just a spritual religion but a way of life. u can visit.......

[NuMoonSoon]

Here is what Allah says:

Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home)...... 4.95

Muhammad's SAW jihad is found in Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim. Open the chapters on "Jihad". It's all qital - fighting. There is no hadith about struggle and naffs. Not one.

[pxjeh]

In islam the fighting is last resort or for self defence and yes this is the true meaning of jihad

[metube3000]

If this is true then it would be better for Muslims to condemn those who kill or violate in the name of Islam, then to condemn the other who condemn those and by which they then feel disrespected. This is then a misreading of signals. Unless there is this clear condemnation, the West will remain doubtful about Islam leading to even larger differences.

[agathodem0n]

But does this mean that you condemn the "other" Jihad? I have heard this interpretation before, but groups like Islamic Jihad appear to be using a different meaning. Is rioting because of some cartoons legitimate? Should churches be burned because of them? Should death fatwas be issued against Salman Rushdie, Ayaan ali Hirsi, et al because of their opinions? No one would be concerned with Jihad if it really had the meaning you maintain here.