Arabic word "jihad" means ...

Submitted by Michael Haddad (Canada), Jan 4, 2003 at 01:24

As an Arab, who is raised speaking Arabic, jihad does NOT mean "effort to expand the territories ruled by Muslims at the expense of territories ruled by non-Muslims". You may have encountered organizations that have misused the word for their own purposes.

When I'm working hard to stay alive, that's jihad. When I'm seriously studying, that's jihad. When I'm helping the poor and defending the physically oppressed, that's jihad. When I'm praying in front of others who hates my religion, that's jihad. Killing in any shape or form is NEVER jihad.

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