Jihad is an Arabic term that means "striving" or "doing ones utmost". Within Islam, there are two basic theological understandings of jihad: the greater jihad, which is the struggle to improve oneself and society, and the lesser jihad, which is the struggle to defend Islam and the Muslim community. The term has been widely misunderstood and misused, often being associated with violence and terrorism. However, scholars have compared the lesser jihad, or just war, to the Christian concept of "just war".

According to the Quran, jihad involves fighting only under specific ethical conditions and clear rules of engagement, such as the requirement to protect non-combatants. The messages about fighting and jihad in the Quran are inseparable from its requirements of generosity and care for the poor. Jihad has often been a constructive and creative force, the key to building new Islamic societies and states.

The term "jihadist" is often used to describe individuals who engage in violent acts in the name of Islam. However, these individuals have in many ways completely broken with the classical jihad tradition.

In summary, jihad is an Arabic term that means "striving" or "doing ones utmost" and has two basic theological understandings within Islam: the greater jihad and the lesser jihad. The lesser jihad involves fighting only under specific ethical conditions and clear rules of engagement, and has often been a constructive and creative force in building new Islamic societies and states. The term "jihadist" is often used to describe individuals who engage in violent acts in the name of Islam, but these individuals have in many ways completely broken with the classical jihad tradition.