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Year 11 - Religious education

Origins and meaning of 'jihad'

Living the Muslim life

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will learn about specific practices in Islam such as prayer and festivals such as Id ul-Fitr. They will compare Sunni and Shi'a understandings of these practices noting similarities and differences.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain the importance of jihad and the different ways this is understood within Islam.

Key Notes

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

Vocabulary To Learn

  • 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 Mistakes To Avoid

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

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

The term 'jihad' means 'struggle, effort or fight'. The personal struggle to be a good Muslim is seen as a form of jihad.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'criteria'

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

3. Correct this common mistake.

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

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 11 Religious education guide library.