Another misunderstood Islamic concept is that the Creator has imposed `Jihaad' on us. The term "holy war" has come from the time of the Crusades, and originated in Europe as a rallying cry against the Muslims in Jerusalem. Jihaad is an Arabic word, meaning struggle, but in the context of many verses in the Quran, it carries the meaning of military struggle or war. Allaah gradually introduced the obligation of military struggle to the Muslim community at the time of the Messenger . The first verse ever revealed in that connection is as follows, (which means): "Permission (to fight) is given to those upon whom war is made because they are oppressed, and most surely Allaah is well able to assist them." [Quran 22: 39]

This verse lays down the precondition for all wars in Islam: there must exist certain oppressive conditions on the people. The Creator unequivocally orders us to fight oppression and persecution, even at the expense of bloodshed as the following verse shows in which Allaah Says (what means): "And fight in the cause of Allaah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allaah does not love those who exceed the limits. And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from where they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the reward of the unbelievers. But if they desist, then surely Allaah is Forgiving, Merciful. And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allaah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors." [Quran 2:190-192]