New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

Origins and meaning of 'jihad'

I can explain the importance of jihad and the different ways this is understood within Islam.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

Origins and meaning of 'jihad'

I can explain the importance of jihad and the different ways this is understood within Islam.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The term 'jihad' means 'struggle, effort or fight'.
  2. The personal struggle to be a good Muslim is seen as a form of jihad.
  3. An external battle or war can also be seen as a form of jihad.
  4. Many Muslims consider the external struggle the 'lesser jihad' and the internal struggle the 'greater jihad'.

Keywords

  • Criteria - the way something can be judged; for a war to be a 'lesser jihad', it must fulfill certain criteria

  • Greater jihad - the personal struggle of every Muslim to live by the teachings of their faith

  • Jihad - Arabic term for 'struggle, effort or fight'; the personal or collective struggle against evil

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

Common misconception

'Jihad' always refers to an external battle or war.

'Jihad' can refer to both an external battle or war and the internal struggle to be a better Muslim.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Origins and meaning of 'jihad', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Students can research specifc battles that the Prophet Muhammad was involved with to better understand how they were seen as essential for the protection of Islam and the Muslim community.
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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.
Hajj is a part of which of the following?
the Ten Obligatory Acts
the Six Articles of Faith
Correct answer: the Five Pillars and the Ten Obligatory Acts
Q2.
Where do Muslims travel to for the Hajj pilgrimage?
Medina
Mount Sinai
Correct answer: Makkah
Q3.
Which prophet’s actions are reflected in several rituals during Hajj?
Dawud
Musa
Correct answer: Ibrahim
Q4.
Muslims must complete Hajj at least in their lifetime if they can.
Correct Answer: once, Once, one time
Q5.
Which belief is central to why Muslims do not worship the Black Stone?
Correct answer: idol worship is forbidden in Islam
the stone is not part of Hajj
only certain stones are holy

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
The word 'jihad' means ' , effort or fight'.
Correct Answer: struggle, Struggle
Q2.
Trying to resist temptation and live according to Islamic teachings is an example of ...
a celebration.
the lesser jihad.
Correct answer: the greater jihad.
Q3.
Which of the following is an example of lesser jihad?
helping the poor
praying five times a day
Correct answer: going to war to defend the Muslim community
Q4.
What does the diversity of opinion in Islam about modern war and lesser jihad show?
that all Muslims believe modern wars are justified
Correct answer: that Muslims disagree on whether modern wars meet the conditions of lesser jihad
that modern wars always fulfil Islamic teachings
Q5.
In Shi’a Islam, why is jihad considered especially important?
Correct answer: it is one of the Ten Obligatory Acts
it is part of the Five Pillars
it replaces daily prayer