The word jihad is everywhere in the global media It generally appears in the context of violence waged against the West by militants in or from Muslim majority societies This usage overwhelmingly colors popular discourse about Islam and Muslims and it has resulted in highly simplistic distorted and ahistorical understandings of the concept of jihad For most Muslims jihad refers to the continuous human struggle to promote and implement what is morally good and noble in all walks of life as well as to resist and prevent what is morally wrong and unjust This book addresses the great need for a discussion of jihad that explores its various dimensions without fear mongering or sensationalism Here it is examined from multiple perspectives: scriptural theological moral and ethical legal and socio political Asma Afsaruddin looks at the key questions about jihad and provides concise yet thorough answers Jihad: What Everyone Needs to Know R provides a historically grounded scholarly yet accessible treatment of the meanings of jihad from the formative period of Islam until the contemporary period
