I do have a slight contention against your use of the word "Jihad." I just haven't replied yet but that doesn't mean that I agree with you.
In Arabic, jihad means a "striving" or a "struggle" which applies to any effort exerted by anyone. For example, a student trying to pass a course in college is a jihad. Trying to quit smoking is a jihad. Trying to quit a bad habit is a jihad. Fighting against an oppressive ruler is a jihad. Trying to lose 20 pounds through diet and exercise is a jihad. So, it's anything which require an effort over a course of time. And the list goes on.
The point is that Jihad doesn't mean "holy war," but a "struggle" toward a moral, intellectual, and a spiritual improvement. The word does include a struggle in the military sense, but it has a wider connotation and embraces every kind of striving, and Jihad doesn't have to be a violent one. There are also non-violent forms of Jihad which can be done with pen, tongue, hands, the media, internet, and in many other ways which are not necessarily harmful to society.
The Arabic word for "war" is "harb" or "qital." This is the violent form of Jihad, as mentioned in certain passages of the Quran, which is only allowed for the purpose of self-defense such as to protect our family and property from an invasion. It is not allowed against ordinary people who are living peacefully (whether they are atheists or not), as the Quran says, "Thus, if they let you be, and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, Allah does not allow you to harm them." (Surah 4:90). Therefore, fighting is permitted only when others are waging a war against us. We are not allowed to kill or fight anyone just to "convert" them to Islam because that is not the meaning of Jihad nor in agreement with the Quranic verses.
Now, here's a more clear and logical analysis of the issue: What Does Islam Say About "Forcing People in Religion?"
In Arabic, jihad means a "striving" or a "struggle" which applies to any effort exerted by anyone. For example, a student trying to pass a course in college is a jihad. Trying to quit smoking is a jihad. Trying to quit a bad habit is a jihad. Fighting against an oppressive ruler is a jihad. Trying to lose 20 pounds through diet and exercise is a jihad. So, it's anything which require an effort over a course of time. And the list goes on.
The point is that Jihad doesn't mean "holy war," but a "struggle" toward a moral, intellectual, and a spiritual improvement. The word does include a struggle in the military sense, but it has a wider connotation and embraces every kind of striving, and Jihad doesn't have to be a violent one. There are also non-violent forms of Jihad which can be done with pen, tongue, hands, the media, internet, and in many other ways which are not necessarily harmful to society.
The Arabic word for "war" is "harb" or "qital." This is the violent form of Jihad, as mentioned in certain passages of the Quran, which is only allowed for the purpose of self-defense such as to protect our family and property from an invasion. It is not allowed against ordinary people who are living peacefully (whether they are atheists or not), as the Quran says, "Thus, if they let you be, and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, Allah does not allow you to harm them." (Surah 4:90). Therefore, fighting is permitted only when others are waging a war against us. We are not allowed to kill or fight anyone just to "convert" them to Islam because that is not the meaning of Jihad nor in agreement with the Quranic verses.
Now, here's a more clear and logical analysis of the issue: What Does Islam Say About "Forcing People in Religion?"
