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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Critique of the Use of Suicide Bombings in Islamic Jihad 1.1. What is jihad? The Arabic word “jihad” literally means “utmost exertion”. Islamically, the word or concept of jihad refers to exertion towards the cause of Allah. It implies striving towards the cause of Allah or striving towards advancing the cause of Islam[^2] . A number of verses of the Quran and traditions of the SAW prescribe jihad as a principle of faith[^3] .

The Prophet calls upon Muslims to perform jihad by their hearts. These are acts of worship which would make a Muslim stronger in his faith and is referred to by the prophet as the “greater jihad”[^4] . Jihad may also be done using words. That is calling unbelievers towards the religion of truth by extolling its virtues and persuading them of the falsity of their path. This was the method preferred and mostly used by the (SAW) himself.

Where a Muslim perceives a wrong being done, either by unbelievers or even amongst the believers against Islam, a Muslim may perform jihad by using physical means to correct those wrongs. This would, however, not entail using violence to effect the corrections. In all these forms of jihad, violence is not an element nor is it advocated.

The Prophet was ordered by Allah SWT, and he so ordered his companions and followers to call the unbelievers towards the religion of Allah through righteous acts and words[^5] .

Where, however, Muslims are faced with oppression or aggression which challenges their faith, Allah SWT says“...permission (for warfare) is given to those who are attacked and definitely wronged”[^6] The Quran also says “fight those who have not faith in God and in the hereafter and who forbid not what God and his Prophet have forbidden and who are not committed to the religion of truth...”[^7] These verses and more in the Quran legalize outright war as form of jihad.

It must be noted, that war as prescribed by these verses, is to be fought as a defense and not to be used as a form of aggression. Where the need for war arises, however, Islam is not a religion of cowards. The SAW said “whenever you are called for jihad, go immediately”[^8] . Allah has prepared great reward for the Muslim who upon being called comes out unconditionally without thought for worldly gain or advancement.

Those who give all their properties and even their lives towards the cause of Islam enjoy an elevated position before Allah[^9] .