Zakir Naik – Jihaad – The Most Misunderstood Word in Islam

			The number two,
		

			on top of the list of misconception Islam is jihad.
		

			And there is a great misconception regarding the meaning of the word Jihad not only amongst the non
Muslims but even amongst the Muslims.
		

			Most of the people irrespective whether they're Muslim or non Muslim, they feel that any war fought
by any Muslim for any reason whatsoever, irrespective whether it be for personal reasons for
political gain, for regions for language. for any reason, if any Muslim fights a war, it is called
as jihad.
		

			It is a great misconception not only among the non Muslims, but even amongst the Muslims that any
Muslim fights a war
		

			it is termed as jihad.
		

			Jihad comes from the Arabic word Giada, which means to strive, which means to struggle, which means
to exert effort. And, in the Islamic context, Jihad means to strive against one's own evil
inclination.
		

			jihad in Islamic terminology also means
		

			to strive to improve the society. It even includes to strive in the battlefield instead of defense.
And it even includes to strive to fight against tyranny and oppression.
		

			Jihad comes from the root word Shahada, which means to strive, which means to struggle. For example,
if a student strives to pass an examination in Arabic, we say he is doing jihad. He's driving, he's
struggling to pass an examination. If an employee strikes struggles to satisfy his employer,
irrespective whether the work you're doing is good or bad, it is called as.
		

			Irrespective of whether the employer whether you're doing good work or bad work is striving to
satisfy his employer. It is called as.
		

			Jihad merely means to strive. If a politician stays to acquire vote, irrespective whether it's good
or bad, it is referred to in Arabic as jihad.