Jihad The Holy War of Islam and Its Legitimacy in the Quran

This text examines the theological and legal foundations of Jihad as presented in the Qur’an, primarily through the lectures of Murtadha Mutahhari. The author argues that Jihad is inherently defensive, serving as a necessary tool to resist oppression, protect human rights, and safeguard the freedom to worship. He distinguishes between peace and mere submission, asserting that Islam promotes honourable coexistence but rejects the humiliation of surrendering to tyranny. The sources further clarify that faith cannot be forced, explaining that Jihad aims to remove institutional barriers to truth rather than to coerce individual belief. Additionally, the text addresses the concept of Jiziyah, defining it as a modest tax paid by non-Muslims in exchange for state protection and exemption from military service. Ultimately, the work seeks to reconcile the military commands of Islam with universal values of justice and religious freedom.