Spiritual struggle in Islam is called Jihad. However, the concept of jihad has parallels in various religions and belief systems, as the spiritual path is often understood to be rife with struggles of many kinds. From inner battles with ego to outer defenses of justice, the journey toward righteousness is marked by resistance, resilience, and transformation.
In Islam, jihad is not merely a call to action but a call to self-purification and as the struggle or striving in the path of Allah. It unfolds in two primary forms: Greater Jihad (al-akbar), the internal struggle against ego, temptation, and spiritual complacency, and Lesser Jihad (al-asghar), the external effort to defend justice, truth, and the rights of the oppressed within strict ethical bounds.However, jihad in Islam is subject to strict ethical and legal guidelines, and it does not condone acts of terrorism, aggression, or indiscriminate violence.
Christian teachings may not use the term “jihad,” but they echo the struggle against sin and spiritual darkness. This can involve resisting temptation, overcoming sin, and spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ through peaceful means, teachings which emphasize love, forgiveness, and non-violence. And while outward violence has manifested itself in the form of “holy wars” throughout the history of Christianity, it is important to note there is no widespread notion of armed struggle or holy war in Christian theology.
In Judaism, the ethical struggle is both personal and communal. The tradition of milchemet mitzvah refers to justified war to defend life and faith, while the yetzer hara symbolizes the inner inclination toward wrongdoing, which one must confront with discipline.
The Bhagavad Gītā in Hinduism presents perhaps the most famous dialogue on sacred struggle. Krishna tells Arjuna, “Engage in battle for the sake of duty, without considering happiness or distress, loss or gain, victory or defeat.” (Bhagavad Gītā 2:47) Here, the battlefield becomes a metaphor for spiritual awakening. True jihad in the Hindu worldview is the battle against ignorance and ego—an inner revolution toward self-realization.
Rather than resisting head-on, Taoism teaches us to yield with grace. Struggle, in the Taoist view, is less about confrontation and more about returning to harmony. Victory lies not in overpowering, but in flowing with the Way.
Across traditions, we find recurring insights. All recognize both inner and outer struggles, though most prioritize the struggle within. Struggle must serve justice, never aggression. Spiritual growth is forged in the crucible of difficulty. Restraint and reflection triumph over domination. And the truest battles are waged not for personal gain, but for higher truths and divine alignment.
Whether faced with temptation, injustice, or the shadows within, spiritual traditions urge us to confront our lesser selves with clarity and courage. The word may differ—jihad, warfare, dharma, restraint—but the truth remains: to grow, we must struggle. These sacred conflicts are not detours from the spiritual path. They are the path.
This universal theme of spiritual struggle reveals a profound truth: the path to righteousness and enlightenment is never easy, but the battle itself shapes and defines us. Across all traditions, the greatest victory is not over others, but over our own lesser nature and address the following themes
Internal vs. External: All traditions recognize both internal and external struggles, but generally prioritize the internal
Ethical Boundaries: Each faith sets clear guidelines for justified struggle versus unnecessary conflict
Transformation: Struggle is seen as a path to spiritual growth and enlightenment
Self-Control: Mastery over oneself is consistently valued above victory over others
Divine Purpose: Struggles are framed within the context of serving a higher purpose
