THE NAKED TRUTH

What “Jihad” Really Means

The Truth Islam Doesn’t Want You to Know

In a world increasingly shaped by politically correct narratives, few topics are more misunderstood—and more deliberately obscured—than the Islamic doctrine of jihad. Western apologists insist jihad is merely a personal struggle or spiritual discipline, akin to resisting temptation or striving for self-improvement. But Islamic sources tell a very different story.

This article cuts through the smokescreen. Using Islam’s own authoritative texts—the Qur’an, Hadith, classical commentaries, and Islamic law manuals—we will expose the truth: Jihad in Islam is a religiously sanctioned, divinely commanded war against non-Muslims until the world submits to Islamic rule.

Classical Definitions of Jihad: Warfare Disguised as Worship

Let’s begin with how Islamic authorities, not Western academics, define jihad.

1. Hanna Kassis’ Qur’anic Concordance (1983)

Definition: Jihad = Jahada: “To struggle, strive, fight for the faith.”
This definition, derived from Qur’anic usage, already includes the concept of fighting—not merely inner striving.

2. Shorter Encyclopaedia of Islam, p. 89

“The spread of Islam by arms is a religious duty... It is a fard ‘ala ‘l-kifaya (a collective obligation)... It must continue until the whole world is under the rule of Islam.”

This is not some obscure extremist opinion—it’s mainstream Islamic theology, codified in one of the most respected encyclopedic works on Islam. The implication is chilling: Jihad is not a defensive response; it is an offensive mission until global conquest is achieved.

Spiritual or Violent? The Mask of “Greater Jihad”

Some Muslims claim that the “greater jihad” is an inner spiritual struggle, and war is just a “lesser” form. But even this distinction is deceptive.

Reliance of the Traveller, a canonical manual of Shariah law (page 599), says:

“Jihad means to war against non-Muslims, and is etymologically derived from the word ‘mujahada’, signifying warfare to establish the religion. And it is the lesser jihad. As for the greater jihad, it is spiritual warfare against the lower self...”

Notice: Even the so-called “lesser” jihad is not minor or metaphorical. It is literal warfare. And guess what? It’s the jihad the Qur’an, Hadith, and early Muslims focused on most.

The Qur’an on Jihad: Commanding Warfare

The Qur’an mentions jihad and related terms over 35 times. And when jihad is mentioned, it almost always refers to physical combat. A few key verses:

Qur’an 2:216 – “Fighting has been prescribed for you...”
Qur’an 4:89 – “Slay them wherever you find them...”
Qur’an 9:29 – “Fight those who do not believe in Allah...until they pay the jizya and feel themselves subdued.”
Qur’an 9:36 – “Fight the idolaters utterly...”

These are not defensive instructions. They are imperialistic marching orders.

Hadith: Muhammad’s Own Words on Jihad

The Hadith, second only to the Qur’an in authority, make it crystal clear that jihad means fighting to spread Islam.

Sahih Bukhari 1:2:25

“The Prophet said: ‘I have been commanded to fight the people until they say: La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah).’”

Sahih Muslim 33:6392

“To go forth in the morning or evening to fight in the path of Allah is better than the whole world and everything in it.”

The Prophet of Islam explicitly declared his divine mission was to fight until people submit to Islam—either through conversion or surrender.

Ibn Kathir’s Commentary: Violence > Disbelief

In his Tafsir on Qur’an 2:191, the famous Islamic scholar Ibn Kathir explains:

“As Jihad involves death and the killing of men... Allah says, ‘Fitnah [disbelief] is worse than killing.’”

In other words, the mere presence of unbelief is a greater evil than mass murder. Hence, violence is not only permissible—it is righteous.

Islamic Law Codifies War on Unbelievers

The Reliance of the Traveller, the definitive manual of Islamic jurisprudence, teaches:

Jihad is a communal obligation (fard kifaya).
Muslims must invite non-Muslims to:
1. Convert to Islam,
2. Accept second-class dhimmi status and pay the jizya tax, or
3. Be fought and killed.

“The Caliph fights all other peoples until they become Muslim...”
— Reliance of the Traveller, p. 603

This is not some ancient practice abandoned by time. It remains part of Sharia law today, cited by Islamic courts and scholars worldwide.

Conclusion: Jihad is Religious Violence, Not Spiritual Struggle

The overwhelming evidence from Islam’s most authoritative sources proves beyond doubt:

Jihad is not primarily spiritual.
Jihad is not merely defensive.
Jihad is a religiously mandated war against unbelievers until they submit.

Despite the efforts of modern apologists to sanitize Islam, the core teachings remain unchanged. Islamic jihad is violence in the name of Allah, enshrined in its scriptures, exemplified by its founder, and codified by its scholars.

The Choice Offered to Non-Muslims? Submit, Pay, or Die.

Islamic theology offers non-Muslims three choices:

Convert to Islam.
Live as a humiliated dhimmi under Islamic law, paying the jizya tax.
Resist—and be slaughtered.

This is not coexistence. This is coercion.

Until the world wakes up to the true doctrine of jihad, the cycle of denial and destruction will continue.