jihad
n. C / Un. a struggle or effort for a moral or spiritual goal. In Islam, this can mean an inner struggle to be a better person or a physical struggle to protect the faith.
n. a struggle or fight against the enemies of Islam, or a spiritual struggle within oneself against sin. Often carries a specific theological distinction between the 'greater' internal struggle and the 'lesser' external one.
The scholar spoke about the internal jihad for self-improvement.
Scholars often distinguish between the internal struggle for spiritual discipline and the external efforts to maintain social justice, both of which fall under the broad concept of jihad.
From Arabic جِهَاد (jihād, “struggle; effort”).
Often used with 'greater' or 'lesser' to specify the spiritual or physical dimension of the struggle.