The concept of jihad in Islam is often misunderstood in the West. Jihad literally means “struggle” or “striving” in Arabic. For Muslims, there are two main types of jihad:
- The Greater Jihad: This is the internal spiritual struggle to follow God’s will and do good.
- The Lesser Jihad: This refers to the external physical struggle against oppression and persecution. Violent jihad is considered the lesser jihad.
In contrast, the Bible does not have a specific concept like jihad. However, there are instances of divinely sanctioned violence and warfare in the Bible, mainly in the Old Testament. Here are some key differences between the Islamic idea of jihad and violence in the Bible:
1. Context for violence
The Quran permits fighting and use of force in certain restricted contexts, such as self-defense, protecting the freedom of religion, and fighting injustice and oppression. Violent jihad can only be waged by legitimate authorities and must follow strict rules of engagement to minimize harm (Quran 2:190-194, 22:39-41).
In the Bible, divinely mandated warfare is not an open-ended concept. It occurs at specific times for the conquest of the Promised Land and driving out pagan tribes (Deuteronomy 7:1-6, 20:16-18). There are also instances of God using warfare to punish evil and apostasy in biblical Israel (Joshua 6:21, 1 Samuel 15:3).
2. Aggression and treatment of enemies
The Quran forbids Muslims from being aggressors and starting hostilities without just cause (Quran 2:190, 4:90). It promotes peace and reconciliation if the enemy ceases its aggression (Quran 8:61-62). Non-combatants, civilians and prisoners of war must be treated humanely in a just Islamic war.
In contrast, some biblical warfare accounts such as the conquest of Canaan under Joshua involved aggression, total destruction, and harsh treatment of enemies (Deuteronomy 7:2, Joshua 6:21). However, Christians also cite Jesus’ message of loving one’s enemies as a counter-example (Matthew 5:44).
3. Scope and limits
Violent jihad in Islam has rules of engagement and limits. The Quran prohibits killing non-combatants, mutilation of the dead, destruction of property, and excessive brutality even in warfare (Quran 2:190-194, 5:32). Fighting is always the last resort.
The Bible lacks a developed doctrine of just war. Some accounts depict total war against enemies (1 Samuel 15:3, Joshua 6:21). Christian scholars subsequently developed jus in bello principles from biblical ethics to limit wartime conduct.
4. Spiritual motivation
In Islam, violent jihad is not meant for material gain, but seen as an act of faith and sacrifice to defend righteousness and justice. Martyrdom and fighting injustice can earn spiritual rewards (Quran 4:74-76).
Motivations for divinely mandated warfare in the Bible include conquest, judgment of sin, and driving out pagan influences. Gaining the Promised Land was part of fulfilling covenant promises to Israel. There is less emphasis on individual spiritual rewards.
5. Peace as the ultimate goal
The Quran upholds peaceful conduct as the preferred norm and ultimate goal, even in conflict (Quran 8:61-62, 2:208). Peaceful relations should be restored when aggression ends from the other party. Jihad aims to establish justice and remove oppression.
The Bible depicts periods of warfare and conquest ordained by God. But it ultimately looks forward to the Messianic age of universal peace (Isaiah 2:4, Micah 4:3). Jesus’ teachings focus on making peace and loving enemies.
6. Offensive vs defensive
Classical Islam sees jihad as primarily defensive. Armed jihad must be proportional and only when necessary to defend Muslim community against persecution. Offensive jihad for expansionist aims is discouraged.
Old Testament warfare often involved offensive action, including wars of extermination against Canaanites. But defensive warfare was also seen as faithful obedience for Israel (Numbers 21:1-3).
7. Conversion by force
Forced conversion is prohibited in Islam. The Quran upholds freedom of religion and conscience (Quran 2:256, 10:99). Jihad aims to secure this freedom from oppression, not impose Islam by force.
The Bible lacks a clear stance on religious freedom for non-Jews. Conquered peoples were sometimes forced to convert (2 Kings 17:6-41). But Christians also faced persecution and valued religious freedom.
8. Life philosophy
Jihad forms part of a larger ethical and spiritual worldview in Islam. But it is not the highest goal, which is living in submission to God. Islam aims for balance between spiritual and physical domains.
The Bible focuses more on spiritual renewal, ethics, justice, and living in faithfulness to God’s covenant. Violence occurs in specific historical contexts, not as an open-ended life philosophy for believers.
9. Centrality and mainstream interpretation
Jihad is not one of the Five Pillars or core practices of Islam. Most Muslims adopt a spiritualized view stressing the greater jihad of inner struggle against sin. Violent jihad is infrequent.
Biblical warfare accounts are also not central pillars of Christian life and faith. Mainstream Christianity views these as limited historical occurrences, emphasizing Jesus’ radical message of peace and reconciliation instead.
10. Initiating armed conflict
Traditional Islamic law placed heavy restrictions on declaring armed jihad, requiring authorization from legitimate political authorities. Radical Islamist groups violate these principles by declaring unauthorized jihads.
The Bible contains some instances of God directly initiating warfare and commanding military campaigns. But within Christendom, doctrines like just war theory also placed ethical limits on war.
In summary, while both Islam and Christianity have scriptural sources that describe divinely sanctioned armed conflict in specific circumstances, their core doctrines differ substantially. Islam’s concept of jihad has rules of conduct and is primarily defensive. Mainstream Christianity rejects religious violence in favor of Jesus’ ethic of peace, love, and reconciliation.
However, extremist interpretations exist in both religions. Radical Islamist groups distort jihad to justify terror and expansionist warfare. Some fringe Christian groups also wrongly cite Old Testament war accounts out of context to condone violence. But mainstream Muslims and Christians affirm that their faiths value peace, tolerance, and treating life as sacred.
The key is to promote moderate and progressive interpretations that stay true to the ethos of mercy and restraint found in the Quran and Bible. These problematic passages on war must be understood in their historical context, rather than literally. Ultimately, the heart of both faiths calls for pursuing justice and moral courage nonviolently as much as possible.