Jihad means to 'struggle' or 'strive'

Literally, the Arabic word 'jihad' means to 'struggle' or 'strive' and applies to any effort exerted by anyone. In this sense, a student strives to get an education to pass her exams. A businessman strives to make money and expand his business. An employee strives to do his job the best he can. A mother strives to bring up her children to be good citizens. An activist struggles to save the ecological environment. In other words, jihad means doing one's best proactively to achieve a desired goal.

In the religious context, the word jihad is defined as the proactive endeavour against the inner and outer adverse circumstances. It is a spiritual struggle against evil in one's self and in various forms outside the self. One of its many manifestations includes the defence of one's life and country. Its practitioners (mujahidin) are those who devote themselves in this struggle against evil.