In the Quran, the concept of jihad is addressed in various verses. These verses have been a subject of debate among Islamic scholars. This term generally means "striving in the way of Allah" and encompasses both internal (struggle with nafs) and external (defense or tabligh struggle) dimensions. A person who has dedicated their life to jihad is called a mujahid ().
Jihad verses are concentrated in surahs revealed during the Medinan period, such as Al-Baqarah, Al Imran, An-Nisa, At-Tawbah, and Al-Anfal, which regulate matters including warfare, peace, the treatment of captives, the distribution of spoils, and Muslims' stance toward adversaries. These verses are historically contextualized within the post-Hijrah defensive necessities from Mecca to Medina, as well as events like the Treaty of al-Hudaybiya and the battles of Badr, Uhud, and the Trench.
Al-Baqarah
Al Imran
An-Nisa
Criticisms and response
Abdul Majid Daryabadi also explains the historical context of this verse:
References
Further reading Online Quran Project includes the Qur'an translation of Abdul Majid Daryabadi. Chapter Introductions to the Qur'an - by Syed Abu-Ala' Maududi Tafheem-ul Qur'an Towards Understanding the Qur'an (translated by Zafar Ishaq Ansari) Terrorism and Jihad: An Islamic Perspective - Part - 3 by Zakir Naik Terrorism and Jihad: An Islamic Perspective - Part - 4 by Zakir Naik