The true meaning of Jihad: Conquering bad thoughts? Or, killing unbelievers on the streets?

[duluxe]

The recent tragic incident in Pahalgam, where innocent lives were lost to yet another mindless act of violence, has once again forced us to confront a dangerous narrative — one that wrongly associates terror with faith. As the country is coming to terms with the attack , an old video clip of actor Shah Rukh Khan began circulating on social media, offering a powerful reminder of the true essence of Islam and the often-misunderstood concept of Jihad.

In the viral clip, Khan can be heard saying, “There is a word in our religion which is misused — Jihad. The thought process of Jihad is exactly the same — to conquer the bad thoughts inside us, to fight for it, that is called Jihad. Outside, killing people on the streets is not called Jihad.” These words resonate deeply today, as certain extremist ideologies continue to distort Islamic teachings to justify acts of terror.

The word Jihad in its true form stands for an inner struggle — a fight against one’s own ego, anger, jealousy, and evil intentions. It is a personal, spiritual endeavor aimed at bettering oneself and upholding compassion, kindness, and integrity in the face of adversity. The Quran explicitly condemns the killing of innocents, equating it to the destruction of all mankind….

 

[duluxe]

Qur’an 8:12

“When your Lord inspired the angels, I am with you. So make those who believe stand firm. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then strike the necks and strike their fingertips.”