Definition of Islam is “The active submission to the one God”. It derives from the root word “salam,” meaning peace .Yet; unfortunately, Islam is also the most misunderstood religion. Monotheism, belief in one God, is the most important and foundational concept in Islam. Muslims are those who believe in one God and in Muhammad as the final Prophet of God. It is strictly a monotheistic religion since it restricts worship to the one supreme Lord who is the Originator and Creator of the universe. The Islamic understanding of God is distinct from all other religions and beliefs in various respects since it is based on a pure and clear understanding of monotheism. 

Islam teaches that people should completely submit only to God as He is the only one worthy of their worship. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and everything in it belongs to Him. The Quran points out the faulty thinking of those who worship other than God:

“‘How can you worship things you carve with your own hands, when it is God who has created you and all your handiwork?’” 

The Qur’an, according to Muslim belief, is the word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad. God’s message to humanity was delivered in the Qur’an which was revealed to Muhammad. It deals with issues that affect human beings in their earthly lives; issues like piety, upright human conduct, worship, the creation of a just and virtuous society and the practice of ethics.

Islam teaches that human beings are born pure and sinless. No one is responsible for, or can take responsibility for the sins of others. The doors of forgiveness are always open for those who repent sincerely.  Muslims believe that, at the end of time, all human beings will be resurrected to account for their deeds. Those who have performed righteous deeds will be rewarded with eternal bliss in heaven and those who have performed evil acts will be punished in hell.

Islam recognizes and accords rights to all human beings regardless of race, color or creed. Prophet Muhammad said: “God has no mercy on one who shows no mercy to others”. Islam requires its followers to show respect and tolerance even to those who do not share their faith. Islam further encourages Muslims to respect the rights of all living things. This stance is derived directly from the Qur’an which states: “O human beings, we have created you from one male and female (Adam & Eve), and we have created you as different tribes and nations so that you may know each other”.--not to conquer, convert, subjugate, revile or slaughter but to reach out toward others with intelligence and understanding.

The word Jihad comes from the root word jahada, which means to struggle. At the individual level, jihad primarily refers to the inner struggle of being a person of virtue and submission to God in all aspects of life. Islam is not addicted to war, and jihad is not one of its "pillars," or essential practices. The primary meaning of the word jihad is not "holy war" but "struggle." It refers to the difficult effort that is needed to put God's will into practice at every level--personal and social as well as political. The Qur’an does not permit aggression against anyone and Prophet Muhammad propagated his message in a peaceful manner. Warfare is permitted only in self-defense. People only resort to violence when their basic human rights are violated and when all attempts at peaceful settlement are thwarted.

Extremists such as Osama bin Laden like to quote such verses of Quran "Slay [enemies] wherever you find them!". But they do not include the exhortations to peace, which in almost every case follow these more ferocious passages: "Thus, if they let you be, and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, God does not allow you to harm them". “Hostilities must be brought to an end as quickly as possible and must cease the minute the enemy sues for peace”.

The Quran adds: “Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight against you, but do not transgress limits. Allah loves not aggressors and fight them until persecution is no more. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against transgressors.” Military conflict is to be directed only against fighting troops and not against civilians. As far as the non-combatant population is concerned such as women, children, the old and the infirm, etc.

The instructions of the Prophet are: “Do not kill any old person, any child or any woman” “Do not kill the monks in monasteries” and “Do not kill the people who are sitting in places of worship.” During a war, the Prophet saw the corpse of a woman lying on the ground and observed: “She was not fighting. How then she came to be killed?” Thus non-combatants are guaranteed security of life even if their state is at war.

During the lifetime of the Prophet, peace many such wars were fought, and the righteous caliphs and others continued this tradition. However, these wars were fought defensively, not aggressively. In addition, the rules of engagement strictly lay down certain restrictions, binding the Muslims foremost to negotiate peace, reducing fighting as the last resort. There is nothing in the Islamic sources that permit a Muslim to fight against non-Muslims solely on the basis that they are not Muslim.

Jihad cannot be waged with the objective of compelling people to embrace Islam. Islam does not teach, nor do Muslims desire, conversion of any people for fear, greed, marriage or any other form of coercion. The Glorious Quran says: “Let there be no compulsion in religion. If it had been thy Lord’s will, they would all have believed, - all who are on earth! Wilt thou then compel mankind, against their will, to believe!”

If the enemy offers peace, it should be accepted even at the risk of possible deception. The Glorious Quran says: “But if the enemy inclines towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allah: for He is one that heareth and knoweth (all things)”

Terrorism is usually defined as ideologically motivated indiscriminate violence that targets civilians, with the intention of inspiring terror in order to achieve political ends. Although this definition ignores the reality of state terrorism, it is clear that terrorism has no place in the noble concept of Jihad. Even Jihad that involves physical conflict is the very antithesis of terrorism, as is clear from the following differences:

1.     Jihad can be launched only by an established authority as a policy in order to deter aggression.  Terrorism, on the other hand, is committed by individuals or groups that have no legitimacy to speak for the majority. When terrorism is committed by states, it usually depends on misleading the masses.

2.     Jihad is limited to combatants while terrorism involves indiscriminate killing of civilians.

3.     Jihad, when the need arises, is declared openly, while terrorism is committed secretly.

4.     Jihad is bound by strict rules of engagement while terrorism is not bound by any rules.

In conclusion, jihad in Islam is striving in the way of Allah by pen, tongue, hand, media and, if inevitable, with arms. However, jihad in Islam does not include striving for individual or national power, dominance, glory, wealth, prestige or pride. Jihad is a vast concept that encompasses various spheres of activity, all directed towards the betterment of self and society. Regardless of how legitimate a cause may be, Islam does not condone the killing of innocent people. Terrorizing the civilian population, whether by individuals or states, can never be termed as jihad and can never be reconciled with the teachings of Islam.