New
New
Year 10
AQA

Conditions for declaring lesser jihad

I can explain what the conditions are for a lesser jihad and how this relates to the actions of the Prophet Muhammad.

New
New
Year 10
AQA

Conditions for declaring lesser jihad

I can explain what the conditions are for a lesser jihad and how this relates to the actions of the Prophet Muhammad.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The Qur'an allows for defensive wars to be fought.
  2. The Prophet Muhammad fought in various wars.
  3. 'Lesser jihad' is a term used in Muslim tradition for an external war, or battle in the cause of Allah.
  4. There are strict criteria for a lesser jihad to be permitted.

Keywords

  • Abu Bakr - companion of the Prophet Muhmmad, an early leader of the Muslim community after the Prophet Muhammad's death

  • Criteria - a way something is judged, a standard or principle

  • Jihad - 'to struggle’; the personal or collective struggle against evil

  • Lesser jihad - this refers to the military struggle to defend Islam; it is carried out according to strict and clear cut rules

Common misconception

The Qur'an sets out the 'rules' for a lesser jihad.

The Qur'an does not state the rules, as a list, of the conditions of a lesser jihad, but the conditions for a lesser jihad are based on principles found in the Qur'an.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Conditions for declaring lesser jihad, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Students can compare the criteria for a lesser jihad to the criteria of the Just War theory and modern international rules for the engagement in wars.
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Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following best matches the actual meaning of 'jihad'?

to submit
Correct answer: to struggle
to forgive

Q2.
The ongoing struggle to live a good life in obedience to God is called the jihad.

Correct Answer: greater, Greater

Q3.
What is needed for a war to be classed as lesser jihad?

revenge must be a key component
all Muslims, including women, must fight
Correct answer: it must be defensive

Q4.
Jihad is one of the Ten Obligatory Acts in Islam.

Correct Answer: Shi'a, shi'a

Q5.
How do Sunni Muslims view the concept of lesser jihad?

they reject it
they say only teenagers should fight
Correct answer: they say it's important but it's not one of the Five Pillars

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Match each keyword to its meaning.

Correct Answer:jihad,'to struggle’; the personal or collective struggle against evil

'to struggle’; the personal or collective struggle against evil

Correct Answer:criteria,a way something is judged, a standard or principle

a way something is judged, a standard or principle

Correct Answer:lesser jihad,refers to the military struggle to defend Islam

refers to the military struggle to defend Islam

Q2.
Lesser jihad is a military struggle fought under strict criteria to Islam.

Correct Answer: defend, Defend

Q3.
What are Muslims instructed to do in the Qur'an if the enemy wants peace?

to keep fighting
Correct answer: to incline towards peace
to never surrender

Q4.
Which two early Muslim leaders fought alongside Muhammad in defensive battles?

Aisha and Khadijah
Moses and David
Correct answer: Abu Bakr and Ali

Q5.
Where can a Muslim find the conditions for lesser jihad?

they are in Sura 4 of the Qur'an
early Muslim military leaders compiled them as a list
Correct answer: they are based on principles found throughout the Qur'an

Additional material

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