Conditions for declaring lesser jihad
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what the conditions are for a lesser jihad and how this relates to the actions of the Prophet Muhammad.
Key learning points
- The Qur'an allows for defensive wars to be fought.
- The Prophet Muhammad fought in various wars.
- 'Lesser jihad' is a term used in Muslim tradition for an external war, or battle in the cause of Allah.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Which of the following best matches the actual meaning of 'jihad'?
Q2.The ongoing struggle to live a good life in obedience to God is called the jihad.
Q3.What is needed for a war to be classed as lesser jihad?
Q4.Jihad is one of the Ten Obligatory Acts in Islam.
Q5.How do Sunni Muslims view the concept of lesser jihad?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match each keyword to its meaning.
'to struggle’; the personal or collective struggle against evil
a way something is judged, a standard or principle
refers to the military struggle to defend Islam
Q2.Lesser jihad is a military struggle fought under strict criteria to Islam.
Q3.What are Muslims instructed to do in the Qur'an if the enemy wants peace?
Q4.Which two early Muslim leaders fought alongside Muhammad in defensive battles?
Q5.Where can a Muslim find the conditions for lesser jihad?
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Conditions for declaring lesser jihad, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Conditions for declaring lesser jihad, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Islam: Practices unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.