To use the Muslim concept
of Jihad to understand
Muslim attitudes to
war.
Grade CAll will be able to describe
the meaning of ‘greater’ and ‘lesser’ JIHAD.
Grade BMost will be able to explain
why the concept of ‘lesser JIHAD’ is often misunderstood.
Grade A/A*Some will be able to evaluate
the similarities and differences between lesser JIHAD and the Christian concept of a ‘JUST WAR’.
Watch the following clip carefully and complete the following…
Some Christians agree with going to war because…
1.
2.
3.
Some Christians disagree with going to war because…
1.
2.
3.
What do you think the word STRUGGLE
means?
Write a definition OR a list of words OR ideas to explain
this word.
Struggle means to do something with difficulty in
an attempt to reach a goal.
Watch the following clip carefully...1. What does the term JIHAD mean?
2. There are TWO types of JIHAD what are they?
The Qur’an teaches Muslims that in order to follow the will of Allah, people will face many struggles, both inside themselves and in the
world.
A personal effort made by every Muslim to devote his or her
life to carrying out Allah's will and fight
against evil.
There are TWO types of JIHAD
1. GREATER (inner) JIHADstruggle that Muslims face
within themselves.2. LESSER (Physical) JIHAD
Struggle with the outside world
Set up your book
in the following
way…Use the following slides to help you
make notes
JIHADGreater
Lesser
This is the conflict of good and evil within ourselves.
Use the following slides to help you work out what greater JIHAD involves.
The struggle that Muslims face
within themselves.
I want a hat and scarf!
• Visit mosque regular
• Study Quran regular
• Help the poor and needy
• Be a good friend and neighbour
How is HAJJ a good example of GREATER JIHAD?
This is physical struggle – although Islam is a religion of peace the Qur’an teaches that there are certain circumstances where the
use of violence is permitted.
Use the following slides to help you work out why violence is sometimes permitted...
The struggle that Muslims face with
the world.
The Qur’an teaches must
fight if they are attacked.
Muhammad did it – so
its ok!
Muhammad himself fought in wars and many of his teachings permit war.
Those who die in a holy war
will go straight to heaven.
Which is more difficult to achieve, the GREATER or
LESSER jihad? Why?
Grade C
All will be able to describe
the meaning of ‘greater’ and
‘lesser’ JIHAD.
Although jihad does not mean war, many Muslims believe that
the fight against evil and the
preservation of Islam may justify going into battle.
This is then described as Harb-al-Muqadis, which is
technically a Holy War.
This is mostly a stereotype fed by the media who misunderstand many aspects of Muslim life. Jihad is often
linked to terrorists and terrorism as they misuse the concept of Jihad to justify their actions.
The idea of Jihad is often
misunderstood by non-Muslims who then see Islam as
being a violent religion, when the vast majority of
Muslims are peaceful.
Watch the following clip carefully...
Why is the concept of JIHAD often misunderstood by non-Muslims?
Grade BMost will be able to explain
why the concept of
‘lesser JIHAD’ is often
misunderstood.
When is WAR classed as JIHAD?
Use the following slides to not down
when Muslims
class war a JIHAD...
Think about the SIMILARITIES
and DIFFERENCES to the JUST WAR
criteria.
JUST CAUSE =
• Defence of Islam
• Self-defence
•Fighting injustice
All other non-violent methods must have failed!
I say YES!
War must be
authorised by a Muslim Authority!
This is called
FATWA!
It must be fought with the MINIMUM amount of suffering and innocent civilians MUST NOT be killed.
It must END when the enemy surrenders.
It should aim to
restore PEACE and FREEDOM
Compare the rules under which Muslims can fight a war with those of the JUST WAR
THEROY in Christianity...
How are the SIMILAR?Explain your
response
How are the DIFFERENT?Explain your
response
Grade A/A*
Some will be able to evaluate the
similarities and differences
between lesser JIHAD and the Christian concept of a ‘JUST WAR’.
We will look at 3 events that some have claimed to be examples JIHAD...
Use what we have learnt in today's lesson to decide whether you think each of these to be an example of Jihad – Explain
your response to each example.
Now we know what we do about GREATER and LESSER JIHAD we can make a decision
over recent events and dismiss any
misconceptions...
A growing number of Muslims (such as the Muslim Peace Fellowship) believe that war or armed forces is NEVER the
right response.
They believe this because...
• The word Islam is Arabic for PEACE –PEACE is therefore at the heart of their faith.
• WMD and nuclear weapons cannot follow the rules of lesser Jihad as innocent people will always be killed.
• There are always other means to gain PEACE instead of war.
• Violence only leads to more violence –it increases hatred.
One thing I have learnt today is...
One thing that has surprised me this lesson is...
One thing I would like to know more about is...