Islam
Within Islamic jurisprudence, jihad is usually taken to mean military exertion against non
Muslim combatants in the defense or expansion of the Islamic state, the ultimate purpose of
which is to establish the universal domination of Islam. Jihad, the only form of warfare
permissible in Islamic law, may be declared against states which refuse to convert to Islam or
submit to the authority of Islam. Treaties (`ahd) may be established, subject to payment of
the kharaj, although jurists differ over its permitted longevity. Most Muslims today interpret
Jihad as only a defensive form of warfare: the external Jihad includes a struggle to make the
Islamic societies conform to the Islamic norms of justice.
Under most circumstances and for most Muslims, jihad is a collective duty (fard kifaya): its
performance by some individuals exempts the others. Only for those vested with authority,
especially the sovereign (imam), does jihad become an individual duty
annaabi.ee 
