The beauty of Jihad is hidden behind the presumed meaning which is "holy war". In reality there is much more to jihad, it is a way in which Muslims can strive and fight for our creator Allah (swt). What makes me sad is the misinterpretation of the word; the media has made it seem like a militaristic concept when in reality it is about fighting in the name of Allah (swt) and Islam. Hopefully reading this will help us better understand the word Jihad. Types of Jihad perhaps the key to actually understanding what Jihad is, there are four types of Jihad. The first type of Jihad is to fight against oneself and one's desires, the second is to fight against the temptations of Shaitan (Satan), the third is to fight against the disbelievers and the fourth is to fight against the hypocrites. Fighting against your desires means forcing yourself to follow God's (Allah) orders and staying away from what God (Allah) has ordered you to stay away from. This includes performing obligatory and voluntary actions and abandoning all acts that are Haram (illegal) or Makrooh (unwelcome). This type of jihad also includes the obligation to behave according to the best manners, the best morals and to refrain from bad behavior at a time when our desires tell us otherwise. Fighting against Satan means defending yourself from his evil whispers, his doubtful questions, his temptations and his lust. This type of jihad is an obligation for all individuals and no one can do it on behalf of another. Understand that Satan's whispers will never disappear and therefore you will have to struggle throughout your life. The fight against unbelievers and hypocrites has four levels, which are: In the heart, in the tongue, in wealth and in the soul. When fighting unbelievers, you will most likely use your hands or physical force. On the other hand, when fighting against hypocrites, Jihad will be used through the word to preach to them. These two types of Jihad are called Fard Kifayah, which basically means that if some Muslims successfully perform these two types of Jihad, then it will no longer be obligatory for other Muslims to perform them. Otherwise, it remains obligatory for all Muslims until the goal of Jihad is achieved. Another form of Jihad is Dawah or spreading the word, this type of jihad is spreading the message of Islam to non-believers, this is not an obligatory act as Islam does not preach imposing one's religion on others.