For the most part, modern-day literature on jihad focuses on the greater jihad: the struggle to be a loyal servant of God, the struggle for the good of Muslim society and against corruption and decadence, etc. At the same time, almost all of these writings emphasize that there is a wider argument. They point out the linguistic derivation of the term “jihad” from jahada, which means “to exert oneself” or “to strive” and that this has a much friendlier connotation than the word qital, which means “to fight.” The latter necessarily implies killing or bloodshed, whereas jihad does not. 60 For this reason, “holy war” is not considered to be an accurate definition by modern-day scholars.

DEFINE: Clarifies the linguistic distinction between jihad (from jahada, to strive/exert) and qital (to fight, implying bloodshed), and why 'holy war' is rejected by modern scholars.

Asena Karipek, Portrayals of Jihad, loc. 69