What is Jihad?

 

Jihad is an Arabic word which literally means striving or struggling, a meritorious struggle or effort, especially with a praiseworthy aim.

 In an Islamic context, it can refer to almost any effort to make personal and social life conform with God's guidance, such as struggle against one's evil inclinations , proselytizing, or efforts toward the moral betterment of the ummah.
A well-known Hadith therefore refers to four primary ways in which jihad can be carried out: by the heart, the tongue, the hand (physical action short of armed combat), and the sword.
There is a great deal of confusion in the west regarding the meaning of jihad. The exact meaning of the term jihād depends on context; it has often been erroneously translated in the West as “holy war.” Jihad, particularly in the religious and ethical realm, primarily refers to the human struggle to promote what is right and to prevent what is wrong. Islamist extremists have used the rubric of jihad to justify violent attacks against Muslims whom they accuse of apostasy.
For most people, living God's way is quite a struggle. God sets high standards, and believers have to fight with their own selfish desires to live up to them, no matter how much they love God. All religious people want to live their lives in the way that will please their god. It should be noted that the Qurʾān (2:190) explicitly forbids the initiation of war and permits fighting only against actual aggressors (60:7–8; 4:90). 

A war is not a Jihad if the intention is to:

• Force people to convert to Islam
• Conquer other nations to colonise them
• Take territory for economic gain
• Settle disputes
• Demonstrate a leader's power

A war is jihad if it is against any kind of extremism or violence or aggression.

Among reported sayings of the Islamic prophet Muhammad involving jihad are

The internal Jihad is the one that Prophet Muhammad is said to have called the greater Jihad.
“ The best Jihad is the word of Justice in front of the oppressive sultan.”

— cited by Ibn Nuhaasand narrated by Ibn Habbaan

and

The Messenger of Allah was asked about the best jihad. He said: "The best jihad is the one in which your horse is slain and your blood is spilled."

— cited by Ibn Nuhaasand narrated by Ibn Habbaan

Ibn Nuhaas also cited a hadith [citation needed] from Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, where Muhammad states that the highest kind of jihad is "The person who is killed whilst spilling the last of his blood" (Ahmed 4/144).

According to another hadith, supporting one's parents is also an example of jihad.

Furthermore, the jurists forbade attacks on civilians and destruction of property, citing statements by the Prophet
Muhammad.