Peaceful jihad: a contextual analysis of the Qur'an

Abstract

Jihad has become a new politico-religious phenomenon facing the world in this twenty-first century. In international relations, jihadist groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS are considered as a national threat. Some authors in the West have attempted to explain this issue by examining different sides. Then, how could jihad as a politico-religious concept be understood? This research attempts to answer this problem theoretically by exploring the most authoritative sources of jihad, i.e. the Qur'an. By contextualising the verses of jihad in the Qur'an, through analysing the socio-political conditions both in the early and current stages of Islam's development, this research concludes two theses. First, unlike what is generally believed, war is not the only step taken by Muhammad to fulfil the call for jihad. Secondly, because the understanding of jihad must be adapted to the socio-political conditions of the place and era where Muslims are, then for the present Muslims can opt to do jihad by contributing to building a better civilisation instead