Meaning of Jihad in Arabic is to struggle and strive against the evil thoughts, evil actions and aggression against the person, family, state and country. Islam defines Jihad as striving and struggling for improvement as well as fighting back to defend one’s self, honor, assets and homeland.
There are different levels of Jihad.
Inner Jihad —— A personal struggle within one’s self to submit to Allah, fight evil within one’s self, achieve higher moral and educational standards.
Social Jihad —– Jihad against evil, injustice and oppression within one’s self, family and society.
Physical Jihad or Armed Struggle —– Jihad against all that prevents Muslims from servitude to God (Allah), people from knowing Islam, defense of a Muslim society (country), retribution against tyranny, and/or when a Muslim is removed from their homeland by force.
Jihad must be performed by the Islamic rules and regulations in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah. Physical or military Jihad must be called by Muslim authority such as head of Muslim Country after much consideration and consultations with learned leaders.
In Islam there is no such thing as Holy War or terrorism. Islam recognizes Jews and Christians as the “People of the Book” because they all follow the Prophet Abraham, believing in Musa and Esa (Jesus) teachings. For many centuries, Muslims have peacefully coexisted with Christians, Jews, and people of other faiths, maintaining social, business, political and economic treaties. Islam respects all humans and faiths as long as there is no religious oppression, forbidding Muslims from serving Allah, preventing others from learning about Islam, and not respecting treaties.
Religion 