al-Jihād is interpreted in three ways:
1. al-Jihād is used in the sense of striving with words; as in the following
verses:
So do jihād against them with this {that is, with the Qur'an}; a great jihād! (al-Furqān 25:52)
O Prophet! Strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites {with words}! (al-Tawba 9:73)
A similar usage is also found in Sūrat al-Taḥrīm.
2. al-Jihād is used in the sense of fighting with weapons; as in the following verse:
Not equal are those of the believers who sit [at home] without any injury and those who strive in the cause of Allah {that is, those who fight with weapons}. Allah has preferred those who strive {that is, those who fight with weapons in the cause of Allah} over those who sit [at home] by a great reward. (al-Nisāʾ 4:95)
3. Jihād is used in the sense of 'action'; as in the following verses:
And whoever strives {that is, performs righteous action}, only strives for [the benefit of] himself {that is, he acts only for himself, and its benefit is for him}. (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:6)
And those who strive for Us {that is, those who act for Us}... (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:69)
Strive for Allah with the striving due to Him {that is, act for Allah with the true action}! (al-Ḥajj 22:78)