jihadist

Jihadist is a term used to describe individuals who advocate or engage in jihad as a means to advance a political or religious objective, often through violent means. The word jihad in Islamic thought can refer to a personal spiritual effort (the greater jihad) as well as a militant struggle (the lesser jihad); in contemporary public discourse, “jihadist” typically denotes those who justify or pursue violence in pursuit of a perceived religious or political vision.

The term arose in the context of modern militant movements that claim religious justification for their actions. Jihadists seek to establish or expand a system of governance based on their interpretation of Islamic law, and they commonly employ tactics such as terrorism, insurgency, and targeted violence. Many Muslims distinguish between nonviolent religious practice and political violence, and the label “jihadist” is not applied to all who use the term jihad in argument or worship.

Groups frequently described as jihadist include international terrorist networks and regional insurgencies that have carried out high-profile attacks in pursuit of ideological goals. Governments and researchers often categorize such actors as terrorists or violent extremists, using the label in policy, law enforcement, and counter-extremism contexts. The term is contested in scholarly and public discourse, with some arguing that it overly broadens a diverse range of actors or conflates religious belief with political violence.

See also: jihad, terrorism, extremism.