The "true" meaning of "jihad"

Submitted by S. Matthew Prastein (United States), Nov 2, 2002 at 15:54

Unfortunately, concentration on the "true" meaning of "jihad" is misplaced and counterproductive. There is no "true" meaning. There are, however, the many malleable meanings attached to the word, by the multitude of users and the many (often different) meanings assigned by the hearers.

Think, for example, of the "true" meaning of "Crusade".

Why do I question the purity of motive of those who invoke the ambiguous "Jihad" to characterize their agenda?

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