“Permission to fight is given to those against whom war is made, because they have been wronged- Allah indeed has power to help them – those who have been driven out from their homes unjustly, only because they said, ‘Our Lord is Allah’- And if Allah did not repel some men by means of others, there would surely have been pulled down cloisters and Churches and Mosques and Synagogues, wherein the name of Allah is oft commemorated And Allah will surely help one who helps Him. Allah is indeed powerful, mighty”– ( al-Hajj, 22:40-41)
Jihad is an Arabic word which literally means striving or struggling. In the context of Islam, it has several aspects – struggle with oneself to live in the way of Islam; struggle to enlighten others as to the nature of Islam, and the desirability of conversion; and armed struggle against the enemies of Islam. The first two interpretations govern the conduct of Jihad for majority of Muslims, but for the Jihadi, armed struggle is the forgotten obligation of Islam and should predominate.
That’s why a small group, among the 1.2 billion Muslims on Earth, carry out and promote terrorism in the name of Islam. Respecting the difference is crucial, if terrorists are to be defeated.
Jihadism is utopian. It seeks nothing less than the creation of a worldwide fundamentalist Islamic state. Its believers believe that this can be achieved only through violence. It targets both governments in Muslim lands and also in non-Muslim lands. Most jihad is claim to belong to the sunni sects of islam and some regard all others as apostates whom they may kill.
Jihadism should not be confused with Islam in general. Islam has no pope or synods to decide what is correct doctrine. Like Osama Bin Laden had declared himself able to issue Fatwas even though he lacks the religious qualifications.
According to Islam there are two kinds of armed struggle or ‘Holy war’ in islam. ‘offensive jihad’ is war against infidels (unfaithful) beyond the central tenets of islam. This form of jihad is not an individual duty and must be declared by an appropriate authority.
‘Defensive Jihad is waged when Muslim territory is attacked or occupied or when Islam itself is threatened. This form of Jihad is an individual duty, and it is everyone’s responsibility to combat such enemies. Hence, Jihadi insist that Islam and Muslims are under attack everywhere.
For those who cannot fight there is financial jihad (bycotts) ; Jihad of tongue (propaganda) and political Jihad (engaging in elections). Jihadi insist that holy war is the central tenet and obligation of Islam. Jihadi’s are regarded by established Muslim clerics (the ulama) as a separate
And divergent sect. They reject the authority of even the most distinguished Ulama if they disagree with them.