Approaching the West — Page 90
A pproaching the West—90 contending with an object of disapprobation (An Arabic- English Lexicon, Edward Lane). As a matter of fact, Jih ā d in Isl ā m is of different kinds. Various terms have been used to make distinction between them, such as: Jih ā d of the heart, Jih ā d of the tongue, and Jih ā d with the pen. The greatest Jih ā d in Isl ā m is remaining firm in faith, and to overcome sinful temptations of one’s own self. Jih ā d in the Bible: For Christians it would be easy to understand the concept of Jih ā d by some examples taken from the Bible: In Luke 13:22-24, the Bible says about Jesus Christ, “And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying towards Jerusalem. Then said one unto him, ‘Lord, are there few to be saved?’ And he said unto them: Strive to enter in that narrow gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ” This striving and making an utmost effort to enter the narrow gate–(that the Holy Qur’ ā n calls it the straight path) is the highest form of Jih ā d in Isl ā m. From Isl ā mic perspective, St. Paul was asking the Philippians to engage in a Jih ā d when he wrote to them, That ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1: 27) In Isl ā m, striving by means of the Qur’ ā n is called the Great Striving—Jih ā dan Kab ī ran (25:53). Again, in the First Epistle to Timothy, St. Paul wrote,