mujahid

Mujahid (Arabic: مجاهد) means “one who struggles” and derives from the root j-h-d, meaning to strive or exert effort. In Islamic usage, a mujāhid is someone who engages in jihad in its broad sense, which can denote personal spiritual striving as well as collective effort for the defense or improvement of the Muslim community. Classical and contemporary Islamic thought emphasize that jihad has multiple dimensions, including self-discipline, charitable work, and, in some contexts, armed struggle. The term appears in Qur’anic and hadith literature to describe those who strive in obedience to God.

As a masculine given name, Mujahid is used across the Arabic-speaking world, South Asia, and Africa. It is sometimes transliterated as Mojahid or Mujahed, with Mujahedin serving as a plural form for fighters or adherents of related movements. In modern times the term also occurs in the names of political and militant movements, most notably the Afghan mujahideen who fought in the 1980s; usage and connotations vary by context and region. In many Arabic-speaking communities, the name is chosen for its positive associations with perseverance, effort, and devotion.

The name Mujahid is widely found among individuals in politics, media, academia, and sports within Muslim-majority regions, reflecting its broad cultural reach. See also Jihad and Mujahedin.