Jihad: Islamic Thought and Practice
Abstract
Jihad, commonly translated in Western publications as "holy war," has become a disturbingly familiar term. Saddam Hussein called for a jihad against the Western Coalition forces in late 1990, and at the same time, Saudi Arabia declared a jihad against Hussein's invading Iraqi forces. Understanding the historical development and use of the concept of jihad is important to comprehend current events within the Islamic spheres of influence and their relations with the West. This paper traces the origin and development of the Islamic concept of jihad. It emphasizes the historical roots of the doctrine of jihad and its manifestations and justification as a means to understand the role of jihad in current Islamic thought and practice.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA258362
Entities
People
- Gordon R. Middleton
Organizations
- Air War College