The Arabic word Jihadis derived from the verb "Jahada" meaning to strive or struggle. In Islamic terminology it means to make an effort and to strive for a noble cause for the sake of Allah. According to Islamic teachings there are three main types of Jihad and the purpose of all is to establish and promote peace in the society through self-reformation towards higher standards of righteousness, and spread of the teachings of peace, justice, tolerance, and respect.

Jihad-e-Akbar: It is Jihad of the highest order. This is the Jihad (struggle) for self-reformation, the struggle against one’s own Nafs and personal desires such as greed, lust and other worldly temptations,and against the whisperings of Satan telling us to do things that are against the teachings of Quran. This type of Jihad also includes forcing oneself to behave with the best manners and the best morals at a time when our desires tell us the opposite. Prophet PBUH said, "The best Jihad is for one to perform Jihad against his own self and desires."

Jihad-e-Kabir: This is the Jihad of propagation of the truth and the message of Quran. The Quran instructs us to spread its message with wisdom, tolerance and respect. Anyone who devotes his\her time, effort, wealth or knowledge to the cause of righteousness; those who strive to call others to Islam (doing Dawah) they are all practicing Jihad-e-Kabir. Prophet PBUH and his companions struggled 13 years in Makah in the delivery of the message of Quran and inviting people to Islam. They had to struggle to keep themselves patient at a time when giving Dawah meant they could be tortured or even killed. Yet their response to this abuse was always forgiveness and patience.

Jihad-e-Asghar: This is the Jihad of a defensive battle against the disbelievers and hypocrites. The Quran has restricted this type of Jihad to certain conditions while forbidding transgression of any sort. 1) The battle can only be defensive and not an offensive one. 2) Muslims should have faced oppression in the practice of their religion and a threat to their lives. 3) Muslims should have been driven out of their homes. The teaching is to initially migrate from where the oppression is taking place, and if the oppressor attacks the Muslims to stop them from practice of their religion in the new abode, only in these circumstances are the Muslims allowed to take up arms in a defensive battle. Allah commands that Muslims lead peaceful lives and not transgress against anyone. If they are persecuted and oppressed, Quran recommends that they migrate to a more peaceful and tolerant land. If relocation is not possible, then Muslims are required to defend themselves against oppression.

Jihad and Prophet PBUH: Our holy Prophet’s entire life was devoted to Jihad. Of this a mere four months (approx) was spent by way of defensive battles and in them the cause and objective is beyond dispute. He spent the first 13 years of Prophethood in Makah striving to spread the message of Quran against intense and fierce oppression but he never raised a finger in response. He left Makah for Madinah but the Makans continued to pursue him in Madinah. It was only when they launched a battle to kill Muslims in Madinah that a physical battle was permitted. However, Muslims were asked not to transgress limits i.e., not to commit atrocities, not to kill women, children or non-combatants, or burn down property or destroy cattle and crop. At the conquest of Makah, He PBUH declared a general pardon for all Makans. He never forced anyone to accept Islam.