Arabic · noun · Struggle & the Sword

Jihad

जिहाद

said ji-HAAD

also written: jihad, jehad, jihad-e-akbar

Meaning

Struggle or striving, especially in the way of God; effort against evil, within or without.

Literally: striving; struggle in the way of God

How Iqbal uses it

Striving in the path of God — an effort that ranges from the inner "greater jihad" against one's own lower self to outward struggle in defence of faith and justice. Iqbal stresses jihad chiefly as moral and spiritual exertion and as the energetic, self-sacrificing striving of the believer to realize truth in the world, consonant with his whole gospel of action, effort and the refusal of passive resignation.

See it in the verse

Jihad in Iqbal’s couplets

Yaqeen muhkam, amal paiham, mohabbat fateh-e-aalam
Jihad-e-zindagani mein hain ye mardon ki shamsheeren

Firm conviction, ceaseless action, and a love that conquers the world — these are the swords of the brave in the struggle of life.

Action · Love · Courage

Related words

PERSIAN

Jang

War or battle; armed conflict.

ARABIC

Mujahida

The inner spiritual struggle against the carnal self, the greater jihad of self-discipline.

ARABIC

Amal

Action; deeds, works, practice.

ARABIC

Shahadat

Witnessing, testimony; the realm of the seen as opposed to the unseen; also martyrdom.

← Back to the dictionary