First published in 2005, Understanding Jihad unravels the tangled
historical, intellectual, and political meanings of jihad within the
context of Islamic life. In this revised and expanded second edition,
author David Cook has included new material in light of pivotal
developments such as the extraordinary events of the Arab Spring, the
death of Usama b. Ladin, and the rise of new Islamic factions such as
ISIS.
Jihad is one of the most loaded and misunderstood terms in the news
today. Contrary to popular understanding, the term does not mean "holy
war." Nor does it simply refer to an inner spiritual struggle. This
judiciously balanced, accessibly written, and highly relevant book looks
closely at a range of sources from sacred Islamic texts to modern
interpretations, opening a critically important perspective on the role
of Islam in the contemporary world.
David Cook cites from scriptural, legal, and newly translated texts to
give readers insight into the often ambiguous information that is used
to construct Islamic doctrine. He sheds light on legal developments
relevant to fighting and warfare and places the internal, spiritual
jihad within the larger context of Islamic religion. He describes some
of the conflicts that occur in radical groups and shows how the more
mainstream supporters of these groups have come to understand and
justify violence. He has also included a special appendix of relevant
documents including materials related to the September 11 attacks and
published manifestos issued by Usama b. Ladin and Palestinian
suicide-martyrs.
