Jihad is the most misused word in Islam. It is bandied about as if it were a concept that sanctioned the most bloodthirsty violence. That is incorrect.

Firstly, it does not narrowly denote war. It means any effort that furthers Islam. It has been said that getting up to say dawn prayers is jihad. It may mean war but only when Islam encounters enemies or oppressors and there is no alternative to fighting. Then jihad, which is incumbent upon all Muslims at all times, will include war.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made strict rules about the waging of war. War must be defensive only, waged only when Islam is attacked. It is fought against tyranny and oppression, not in order to conquer and overcome others. Surprise attacks and deceitful pacts are disallowed. It is not lawful to kill civilians, those going about their lawful business, women, children, the disabled or the aged. It is not lawful to destroy buildings, animals or vegetation.

It follows that atrocities such as we have witnessed in the US are not jihad. They were not undertaken in defence. They were without warning. They targeted civilians and destroyed buildings. I would assert further that those who caused them are not true Muslims. True Muslims do not create such terror or bring their religion into such worldwide infamy.

Turning the word around, I will go further and say that Muslims who fight against these perpetrators - or aid those who fight against them - are those who wage true jihad, for they will be defenders of true Islam.

-Dr Farouk Badawi, St James's Street, Brighton