What do Muslims mean by jihad, and how do they celebrate their festivals?
The meaning of jihad (greater and lesser), and the celebration and significance of the festivals Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha and Ashura.
An Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (C120) Component 3 answer on jihad and Muslim festivals, covering greater and lesser jihad, the strict conditions of the lesser jihad, and the festivals Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha and Ashura, with the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to explain the meaning of jihad (the greater and lesser forms) and the celebration and significance of the main Muslim festivals: Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha and Ashura. Jihad is a widely misunderstood term that the exam expects you to explain carefully, and the festivals connect to Ramadan and Hajj. The topic feeds the 15-mark evaluation question on which form of jihad is more important, so you need the content, the careful definitions, and the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.
Jihad: the greater and lesser struggle
Eduqas expects you to be clear that jihad is not terrorism: the Qur'an forbids transgressing limits, "fight in the way of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits" (Surah 2:190), and forbids the killing of innocents. A famous Hadith reports Muhammad, returning from battle, saying they had returned from the lesser jihad to the greater jihad, the struggle against one's own soul, which underlines that the inner struggle is primary.
The festivals
Why these practices matter
Jihad and the festivals both express devotion to Allah in action. The greater jihad is the everyday heart of Muslim life, the constant effort to be faithful; the lesser jihad, properly understood, is the just protection of the community, never aggression or terror. The festivals renew faith and community: Id-ul-Fitr crowns the discipline of Ramadan, Id-ul-Adha re-lives the obedience of Ibrahim, and Ashura keeps alive the Shia memory of sacrifice for the truth. Together they show that, for Muslims, faith is lived, in inner struggle and in shared celebration.
Common and divergent views
The common view is that the greater jihad (the inner struggle) is central to every Muslim's life, and that Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha are major festivals for all Muslims. The clearest divergence is over Ashura: it is most important to Shia Muslims (mourning Husayn), while some Sunnis simply fast. Muslims also debate the place and conditions of the lesser jihad. For the exam, present the greater jihad and the two Ids as widely shared, and treat Ashura and the lesser jihad as the points of difference, always stressing that jihad is not terrorism.
Try this
Q1. What is the difference between the greater and lesser jihad? [a-style recall]
- Cue. The greater jihad is the inner, lifelong struggle to be a good Muslim and resist temptation; the lesser jihad is the outward struggle, which can include the strict, rule-bound defence of Islam.
Q2. Explain what Id-ul-Adha celebrates and how Muslims mark it. [b-style short explanation]
- Cue. It recalls the prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah (who provided a ram instead); Muslims celebrate during Hajj with prayers, may sacrifice an animal, and share the meat with family, neighbours and the poor.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas C120 2019 (style)2 marks[a] What is meant by greater jihad?Show worked answer →
This is the 2-mark (a) AO1 definition question. Define the term precisely: the greater jihad is the inner, personal struggle to be a good Muslim. A short developed phrase secures both marks, for example "the lifelong inner struggle to obey Allah, resist temptation and keep the Five Pillars". A single word risks only one mark. Be careful to show jihad is not terrorism.
Eduqas C120 2021 (style)8 marks[c] Explain the meaning of jihad for Muslims. Refer to sources of wisdom and authority in your answer.Show worked answer →
This is the 8-mark (c) extended AO1 question, and referring to sources is required for the top band. Explain that jihad means "to strive" in the way of Allah. Develop the two forms: the greater jihad is the inner, lifelong struggle to be a good Muslim, resist temptation and obey Allah; the lesser jihad is the outward struggle, which can include the strict, rule-bound defence of Islam (a just military struggle with conditions). Stress that jihad does not mean terrorism. Anchor in sources: a Hadith in which Muhammad calls the struggle against one's own soul the "greater jihad", and the Qur'an's limits on fighting ("do not transgress limits", Surah 2:190). The top band rewards developed points with accurate sources.
Eduqas C120 2022 (style)15 marks[d] "The greater jihad is more important than the lesser jihad." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should refer to religious beliefs and teachings, give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, and reach a justified conclusion.Show worked answer →
This is the 15-mark (d) AO2 evaluation question, where SPaG is assessed, so write in continuous prose with specialist terms. Arguments to support: a Hadith describes the inner struggle against one's own faults as the "greater jihad", and it is a daily, lifelong duty for every Muslim, the foundation of a good life; the lesser jihad is rare and tightly restricted. Arguments for a different view: the lesser jihad (the just defence of the faith and community) can be a serious obligation when Islam is attacked, and protecting the vulnerable matters greatly; some argue both are important in their place and should not be ranked. Use specialist terms (jihad, greater jihad, lesser jihad). A justified conclusion weighs the everyday centrality of the greater jihad against the gravity of the lesser jihad when it applies, and should stress jihad is not terrorism.
Related dot points
- The Five Pillars of Sunni Islam and the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shia Islam, their meaning and importance, and the differences between the two traditions.
An Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (C120) Component 3 answer on the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam and the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shia Islam, covering each duty, the Sunni-Shia comparison, and why the Pillars matter, with the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.
- The Shahadah (the declaration of faith) and Salah (prayer five times a day), how Salah is performed (wudu and rak'ah), and prayer in the mosque, including Jummah.
An Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (C120) Component 3 answer on the Shahadah and Salah, covering the declaration of faith, prayer five times a day, wudu and the rak'ah, and prayer in the mosque including Jummah, with the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.
- Sawm (fasting in Ramadan) and Zakah (almsgiving), including khums and Sadaqah, what Muslims do and why these pillars matter.
An Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (C120) Component 3 answer on Sawm and Zakah, covering fasting in Ramadan, almsgiving, khums and Sadaqah, and why these pillars of discipline and generosity matter, with the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.
- Hajj (the pilgrimage to Makkah), its origins in the life of Ibrahim, its main rituals (ihram, tawaf, standing at Arafat, stoning the pillars) and its importance.
An Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (C120) Component 3 answer on Hajj, covering its origins in the life of Ibrahim, its main rituals (ihram, tawaf, sa'y, standing at Arafat, stoning the pillars) and its importance for Muslims, with the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.
Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies specification (C120, from 2016) — WJEC Eduqas (2016)