By Jibreel Gimba, Nasarawa
The word jihad comes from the Arabic root word jahd (جَهْد) — pronounced ja-ha-da — which literally means “to strive,” “to struggle,” or “to exert effort.” This definition is based purely on the Arabic language.
In Islamic theology, jihad carries different shades of meaning depending on purpose and context. Broadly, jihad is categorized into the greater and lesser jihad.
The greater jihad refers to the struggle for self-purification — resisting ego, pride, anger, greed, lust, laziness, hypocrisy, and moral weakness. The lesser jihad refers to armed struggle — defensive fighting, protecting the community, confronting oppression, and resisting aggression. In Islam, the emphasis is always placed on the greater jihad.
While both forms are necessary for building a righteous society, the lesser jihad comes with strict rules and conditions. It must be authorized by a legitimate authority, must never be motivated by personal interest, and must be undertaken solely for defense or the pursuit of justice.
In many Qur’anic verses, when jihad is mentioned, the primary intention is the inner struggle — the greater jihad — not warfare. Armed struggle is permitted only in self-defense or to remove clear and demonstrable injustice. Even so, not every instance of injustice qualifies for armed jihad; the type of injustice that warrants it must be defined by a legitimate authority with moral and legal credibility.
In the Qur’an and Islamic tradition, jihad unfolds in multiple layers:
1. Inner struggle — the greater jihad (الجهاد الأكبر): purification of the soul.
2. Intellectual struggle (الجهاد بالبيان): countering falsehood with truth, evidence, and sound argument.
3. Financial struggle (الجهاد بالمال): supporting what is right with one’s wealth and resources.
4. Defensive armed struggle (الجهاد بالسيف): a strictly regulated, defensive, and authority-sanctioned form of warfare.
Conclusion
Whenever the word jihad is mentioned today, many people — Muslims and non-Muslims alike — immediately picture “holy war.” This is a fundamental misunderstanding. Jihad, in its essence, is first and foremost a moral, spiritual, and intellectual struggle.
Extremist groups have distorted this noble concept, falsely equating jihad with indiscriminate killing or hostility toward non-Muslims. Their actions contradict Islamic teachings and violate every condition that governs legitimate jihad.
Based on the principles outlined above, there is no legitimate jihad taking place in Nigeria today. Boko Haram, ISWAP, and similar groups are not mujahideen; they are criminals, rebels, and warmongers who have weaponized religion for personal and political gain. Their violence is a form of _fasad fil-ard_ (corruption on earth), and it must be confronted and stopped by any necessary and lawful means.
True jihad begins with self-reform, spreads through knowledge and justice, and is guided by legitimate authority — not chaos, brutality, or ignorance.