Beschrijving

This volume offers a dual-text exploration of the concept of jihad in Islamic legal and ethical tradition. First, it presents the chapter on jihad from Ibn Rushd (Averroës)’ legal handbook Bidāyat al-mudjtahid, showing how classical Islamic jurisprudence treated the use of armed struggle, obligation, and rules of engagement in a normative, scholarly context. Second, it includes the modern treatise “Koran and Fighting” by Mahmoud Shaltut, which contextualises jihad in contemporary Islamic thought, bridging classical doctrine with 20th-century realities. Together, the texts underscore the evolution in how jihad has been defined, interpreted and applied — from medieval legal theory emphasising ritualised warfare within strictly defined bounds, to modern reflection on ethical, spiritual and political dimensions of struggle. The book is concise yet rich in content, making it accessible for students of Islamic studies, comparative religion and political theology who wish to trace both the continuity and transformation of the jihad concept over time.