jihad does not always, or even usually, have a military connotation. Its most general meaning is to struggle, to accept the summons to follow the path designated by God. Most commonly, this meant to endeavor to become a better person, a better servant of God—to strive toward the advancement of one’s personal faith, moral character, and religious practice. On occasion, when jihad did refer to taking up arms against an enemy, strict rules defined the combat. The first step of any jihad was to invite a non-Muslim enemy to convert to Islam, an act that, if performed, would eliminate the need for
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