The Koran specifically exempts the disabled and "weak" from jihad (4:95, 9:91), which makes no sense if the word is being used within the context of spiritual struggle.
Why would Mohammed use graphic language, such as smiting fingers and heads from the hands and necks of unbelievers (8:12), if he were speaking of merely spiritual development?
Sahih Bukhari, one of the most authentic ahadith (accounts of the words and deeds of Mohammed), mentions jihad more than 50 times in reference to the words of Mohammed. Each reference carries a clear connotation to holy war, with only a handful of possible exceptions (e.g., a woman's supporting role in war, and a non-combatant's obligation to supply funding for the war).
"Jihad means to war against non-Muslims, and is etymologically derived from the word mujahada signifying warfare to establish the religion." Quote from Umdat as-Salik wa 'Uddat an-Nasik, the manual of Islamic jurisprudence, by Shihabuddin Abu al-'Abbas Ahmad ibn an-Naqib al-Misri, o9.0.
"It is he who has sent Mohammed with guidance and the religion of truth, to make it superior over all religions, though the Mushrikûn [disbelievers] hate it." Koran 9:33 (see also 61:9 and 48:28) The Arabic word used for "to make it superior" comes from the root z-h-r, which means "to ascend or to mount; to have the upper hand." It can also mean "triumph," "victorious," or "prevail." This verse predicts the conquest of Islam over all religions. Islam must dominate the world through jihad.
The association of "jihad" with a spiritual struggle is just a lame rhetorical strategy to downplay the massive, brutal, and barbaric violence in Islam.
The Koran specifically exempts the disabled and "weak" from jihad (4:95, 9:91), which makes no sense if the word is being used within the context of spiritual struggle.
Why would Mohammed use graphic language, such as smiting fingers and heads from the hands and necks of unbelievers (8:12), if he were speaking of merely spiritual development?
Sahih Bukhari, one of the most authentic ahadith (accounts of the words and deeds of Mohammed), mentions jihad more than 50 times in reference to the words of Mohammed. Each reference carries a clear connotation to holy war, with only a handful of possible exceptions (e.g., a woman's supporting role in war, and a non-combatant's obligation to supply funding for the war).
"Jihad means to war against non-Muslims, and is etymologically derived from the word mujahada signifying warfare to establish the religion." Quote from Umdat as-Salik wa 'Uddat an-Nasik, the manual of Islamic jurisprudence, by Shihabuddin Abu al-'Abbas Ahmad ibn an-Naqib al-Misri, o9.0.
"It is he who has sent Mohammed with guidance and the religion of truth, to make it superior over all religions, though the Mushrikûn [disbelievers] hate it." Koran 9:33 (see also 61:9 and 48:28) The Arabic word used for "to make it superior" comes from the root z-h-r, which means "to ascend or to mount; to have the upper hand." It can also mean "triumph," "victorious," or "prevail." This verse predicts the conquest of Islam over all religions. Islam must dominate the world through jihad.
The association of "jihad" with a spiritual struggle is just a lame rhetorical strategy to downplay the massive, brutal, and barbaric violence in Islam.