Jihad is not a justification for terrorism, Islamic scholars clarify

The concept of jihad in Islam is often misunderstood, with some misinterpreting it as a call to violence. However, Islamic teachings explicitly reject terrorism as a means of struggle. The Arabic word 'jihad' fundamentally means to strive diligently and exert maximum effort towards a goal.

In Islamic jurisprudence, jihad refers to the sacrifice of self, wealth, and effort to uphold Islamic principles, defend truth, and seek divine pleasure. While 'jihad qital' involves armed struggle for self-defense or to protect Muslims from oppression, it is governed by strict conditions, ethics, and regulations, not arbitrary violence. The scope of jihad extends far beyond combat, encompassing personal struggles against desires ('mujahadah al-nafs'), seeking knowledge, engaging in da'wah (invitation to Islam), strengthening the economy, aiding the community, and combating ignorance and poverty.

Therefore, acts of terrorism, such as killing innocent civilians and destroying property, are not jihad but acts of injustice that contradict Islamic principles. The Quran warns against causing corruption on Earth. Similarly, suicide attacks targeting civilians are forbidden, as Islam places immense value on human life, stating that killing one person unjustly is akin to killing all of humanity.

Terrorism is often fueled by social factors like injustice, oppression, political manipulation, and religious ignorance, rather than genuine Islamic doctrine. Extremist groups like ISIS, despite claiming to champion Islam, deviate from its core tenets of peace, justice, and compassion. The association of Islam with terrorism, particularly after 9/11, needs correction, as the actions of a few extremists do not represent the entirety of Islamic teachings. Building bridges between the Islamic world and the West through dialogue and mutual understanding is crucial to combating extremism.