Few words in the English language have been more misunderstood, misused, and weaponized than “jihad.” The news media has turned this beautiful Arabic word into a synonym for terrorism, yet its actual meaning could not be further from violence against innocents. Sheikh Jalal Abualrub, author of “Holy Wars, Crusades, and Jihad,” joins The Deen Show to set the record straight on what jihad truly means in Islam, its proper context, and why it has absolutely nothing to do with the atrocities committed on 9/11 or by any terrorist group claiming to act in Islam’s name.
What Jihad Actually Means in Islam
“If you buy any picture that depicts Jesus, he would look like me — brown skin, a beard, hair covered, wearing a thobe. And his mother would wear something very close to the hijab of the Muslim woman. The image people fear is actually the image of their own prophets.”
Jihad in Arabic means to struggle, to strive, and to exert effort on the path of goodness and in obedience to the Creator of the heavens and earth. The greatest jihad, according to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is the struggle against one’s own ego and desires. Jihad also encompasses standing up for justice, supporting the oppressed, seeking knowledge, providing for one’s family, and — only in very specific, regulated circumstances — defending oneself and one’s community against aggression, with strict rules of engagement that prohibit harming civilians, women, children, the elderly, and even trees.
- Jihad means to struggle and strive for goodness — it is not a call to violence against innocent people
- The greatest jihad according to the Prophet (peace be upon him) is the struggle against one’s own ego and desires
- Neither Islam nor jihad had anything to do with 9/11 — some Muslims may have thought they were serving Islam, but their actions violated its core teachings
- Islam prohibits the killing of innocent men, women, and children — this is an absolute, non-negotiable principle
- The misconceptions about jihad have been emphasized and exploited for centuries, but they do not represent Islamic theology
- Sheikh Jalal’s book “Holy Wars, Crusades, and Jihad” provides comprehensive, evidence-based clarification of these concepts
Come to the Source to Learn About Islam
“Islam is not about terrorism or terrifying people or killing innocent men, women, and children. It’s about surrender and submission to the Creator of the heavens and the earth — and this is where you get true peace: doing what your Creator wants you to do.”
The invitation from The Deen Show to every media outlet — CNN, Fox News, NBC, and beyond — is clear: bring qualified Muslim scholars to the table for genuine dialogue instead of relying on self-proclaimed “experts” who have never studied Islam from its sources. Sheikh Jalal is ready and willing to attend any such discussion. For the viewer at home, thank you for coming to the source to learn about jihad directly from Muslims rather than from those who profit from your fear. Islam is a faith of submission to God, justice for all people, and peace for humanity. May Allah guide every heart that sincerely seeks the truth.
