Asma Afsaruddin reclaims the meanings of jihad
Asma Afsaruddin, a distinguished professor in the Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures at Indiana University’s Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, has emerged as a leading scholar in Islamic thought. Her work critically examines the term “jihad,” challenging its widespread misrepresentation in political and media discourse.
In her recent books Striving in the Path of God: Jihad and Martyrdom in Islamic Thought (Oxford University Press, 2024) and Jihad: What Everyone Needs to Know (Oxford University Press, 2023)—also translated into Polish as Dżihad. Wszystko, co warto wiedzieć (Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, 2024)—Afsaruddin traces the evolution of jihad from its Qur’anic foundations to its modern reinterpretations. She argues that jihad is often wrongly equated with militant violence, when in fact it encompasses a broader ethical and spiritual struggle. “This struggle includes making the effort to cultivate and promote what is right and good and prevent what is wrong and harmful,” she writes.
Afsaruddin distinguishes jihad from hirābah, a legal term meaning unlawful violence. By clarifying this difference, she corrects the dangerous conflation of jihad with terrorism and restores its moral significance. Her scholarship reveals how jihad has been shaped by theological, legal, and sociopolitical contexts—sometimes aligned with state agendas, and other times framed as a personal and societal commitment to justice and compassion.
In an era marked by polarization and misinformation, Afsaruddin leads by example. Her contributions serve as a reminder to strive towards intellectual clarity and engage with civic responsibility.
Students interested in Islamic thought are encouraged to read Afsaruddin's insightful research—available in e-book and physical formats. They may also explore related courses through the Hamilton Lugar School’s Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures and the Islamic Studies Program. In spring 2026, a course titled “Global Jihad” will be taught by fellow MELC professor Ibrahim Gemeah. Afsaruddin herself will be teaching “War and Peace in the Islamic Tradition” in fall 2026.
About the author: Brian Victor is a senior majoring in International Law and Institutions at the Hamilton Lugar School.