Jihad in Islam: The Holy War Or the Miss Understood Concept

Jihad is an Arabic word which literally means striving or struggling, especially with a praiseworthy aim. It can have many shades of meaning in an Islamic context. Jihad The word has entered into common usage in the United States in the wake of September 11, 2001. Politicians use it to conjure up terrifying images of irrational foreigners coming to destroy American freedoms; religious figures use it to define Islam. Jihad has even entered our everyday vocabulary, associated (by most non-Muslims) with unrestrained, unreasoning, total warfare. But what does it really mean? To discuss the various facets of "Jihãd" according to the Quran and addresses the issues raised by critics who quote Quranic verses to argue that Islam is intrinsically non-peaceful. In my article, I will attempt to present the real meaning of jihad in Islam, as taught by the Holy Quran and practiced by the Holy Prophet (SAW).