reading time ~6 mins

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1. Introduction
2. Mention of Striving in the Quran
   1. Aya on قتال 

Introduction

The Arabic verb جَهَدَ means striving with intensity, exhaustion and perseverance. This is a serious and laborious striving

A generic verb for struggle would be دَأَب

Striving for Allah (الجِهادُ في الله) is being ACTIVE for the CAUSE of Islam

think beyond your own house & family

1. getting education & knowledge
2. building character & increasing in piety
3. raising awareness in your circles (family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, etc)
4. upholding truth & justice
5. being courageous & speaking up at home & in society
6. finding ways to spread the message of Islam
7. working to bring benefit to humanity
8. spending money for the sake of Allah
9. constantly looking for ways to help others
   1. supporting the family, feeding the poor, helping the traveller, assisting your neighbours, help someone carry heavy objects, reading to or spending time with elderly, etc.
10. create Sadaqa Jariya (صدقة جارية) – ongoing charity (see muslim 1631)
    1. planting trees, installing wells or water plants, building schools & mosques, raising orphans, sponsoring a student, etc.
11. fighting in the path of Allah by joining the Muslim military

The moment you say لا إله إلا الله you agree to becoming active

Striving for Allah means making all kinds of effort to spread & implement the Deen (دِين) of Islam

Jihad (جهاد) derived from (جَهَدَ) is understood by some as meaning exclusively military fighting (which is definitely one of the ways to strive for Allah). The more specific term in Arabic for military struggle or fighting is Qitaal (قتال )

Mention of Striving in the Quran

Allah says in the Quran

• “Those believers who stay at home—except those with valid excuses—are not equal to those who strive in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has elevated in rank those who strive with their wealth and their lives above those who stay behind ˹with valid excuses˺. Allah has promised each a fine reward, but those who strive will receive a far better reward than others—” (Quran 4:95)
• “Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “If your parents and children and siblings and spouses and extended family and the wealth you have acquired and the trade you fear will decline and the homes you cherish—˹if all these˺ are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and struggling in His Way, then wait until Allah brings about His Will. Allah does not guide the rebellious people.”” (Quran 9:24)
• “O believers! What is the matter with you that when you are asked to march forth in the cause of Allah, you cling firmly to ˹your˺ land?1 Do you prefer the life of this world over the Hereafter? The enjoyment of this worldly life is insignificant compared to that of the Hereafter.” (Quran 9:38)
• “Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day do not ask for exemption from striving with their wealth and their lives. And Allah has perfect knowledge of those who are mindful ˹of Him˺.” (Quran 9:44)
• “˹You hypocrites are˺ like those ˹disbelievers˺ before you. They were far superior to you in might and more abundant in wealth and children. They enjoyed their share in this life. You have enjoyed your share, just as they did. And you have engaged in idle talk, just as they did. Their deeds have become void in this world and the Hereafter. And it is they who are the ˹true˺ losers.” (Quran 9:69)
• “Strive for ˹the cause of˺ Allah in the way He deserves, for ˹it is˺ He ˹Who˺ has chosen you, and laid upon you no hardship in the religion—the way of your forefather Abraham. ˹It is Allah˺ Who named you ‘the ones who submit’ ˹in the˺ earlier ˹Scriptures˺ and in this ˹Quran˺, so that the Messenger may be a witness over you, and that you may be witnesses over humanity. So establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and hold fast to Allah. He ˹alone˺ is your Guardian. What an excellent Guardian, and what an excellent Helper!” (Quran 22:78)
• “O believers! Shall I guide you to an exchange that will save you from a painful punishment? ˹It is to˺ have faith in Allah and His Messenger, and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is best for you, if only you knew. He will forgive your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow, and ˹house you in˺ splendid homes in the Gardens of Eternity. That is the ultimate triumph. ˹He will also give you˺ another favour that you long for: help from Allah and an imminent victory. ˹So˺ give good news ˹O Prophet˺ to the believers.”(Quran 61:10-13)

Aya on قتال 

• “Allah has indeed purchased from the believers their lives and wealth in exchange for Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah and kill or are killed. This is a true promise binding on Him in the Torah, the Gospel, and the Quran. And whose promise is truer than Allah’s? So rejoice in the exchange you have made with Him. That is ˹truly˺ the ultimate triumph.” (Quran 9:111) here the arabic word قتال is used