Wa `alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

 

Jihad is simply to put effort toward something. Media often portray Jihad only in the battle fighting format to utilize that as an attack on Islam and Muslims. Jihad is a term that incorporates all that which Muslims do. Praying, fasting, working, volunteering are all types of Jihad, the major one.

 

Now in case Muslims were under attack they can defend themselves and that is also called Jihad or they were in power and someone abused a nation, they must rise to defend the freedom of people and that is also called Jihad.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.