Jihad: Of the Self and the Sword

Catalog description

Philosophies of jihad over time from the early Muslim community to contemporary theories of jihad. Looks at jihad as armed struggle, but also focuses on the spiritual dimensions of jihad as a struggle within the self. Explores conceptions of jihad as intellectual struggle known as ijtihad. Revival of the concept of jihad in the contemporary period for the confrontation with colonialism, modernity, and secularism. Examines key theorists of jihad like al-Maududi in India/Pakistan, Hasan al-Banna & Sayyid Qutb in Egypt, Ali Shariati & Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Iran, and Frantz Fanon in Algeria. Examines how the Black Power movement used jihad to fight for racial justice in the West, and how women interpret jihad, specifically as a struggle for gender justice.