In theatre against US & coalition forces in the mountainous caves, rural towns and cities in Afghanistan are mostly Mujahideen - Holy Warriors or Soldiers of God who fight in the name of Allâh in His war against unbelievers. Mujahideen number in the hundreds of thousands worldwide and to understand them, one must first understand the Islamic principle of Jihad.

In the linguistic sense, the Arabic word "jihad" means struggling or striving and can apply to any effort exerted to achieve a given goal. In the Western culture, "jihad" is generally translated as "holy war," a usage the media has popularized.

Military training is an obligation in Islam upon every sane, male, mature Muslim, whether rich or poor, whether studying or working and whether living in a Muslim or non-Muslim country. This Islamic obligation, not option, is according to one's ability, in that the Muslims must use every means at their disposal to undertake military and physical training for Jihad.

To participate in Jihad is an honor and a duty that is welcomed by the true Muslim. The Qur'ân, the law of Allâh handed down to Mohammed, his final Prophet, states that a man killed in a Jihad becomes a Shaheed or a martyr and a special place in Paradise is assured. The Mujahideen's willingness to die in battle stems from the promise by Allâh that Shaheeds go immediately to Paradise. No matter how many sins they have committed in this life, to die as a Soldier of God ensures complete forgiveness. Shaheeds are buried as they fall, in the clothes that they died in, bodies bloodied and unwashed, and without coffins. They go to Allâh exactly as they died for their faith. There is no greater glory for the Muslim warrior.

Courage, physical courage, is central to the Mujahideen character. He demonstrates a special facet of bravery - the ability to suffer pain stoically, without fuss, and silently. To be without courage is abhorrent; such a person is despised.

Mujahideen wounded in war often face the most daunting journeys on makeshift stretchers, or strapped to the back of horses, for days, sometimes weeks on end, in search of medical treatment. Amputations without anesthetics are commonplace, using a knife, or even an axe, to chop off a mangled foot or leg. Many died of shock. Those wounded who live endure the torment of every movement, every slight twist or turn, during their nightmare journey to a doctor. Seldom do they utter more than the occasional moan. This willpower, this refusal to give in, or show what they considered to be weakness, is a great virtue in any soldier.

The combination of courage, and their fervent commitment to Allah, the cause for which they fight, make the Mujahideen formidable warriors to defeat. As devout Muslims they know and follow the teachings of the Qur'ân literally. Once religious leaders declare a Jihad, it is the obligation of all Muslim men to fight, to defend their faith, their honor, to protect their independence, and to guard their land and families. Age is of no importance in joining a Jihad. Boys of 13 or 14 and men in their sixties or seventies, with snow-white beards, frequently fought side by side.

It is not only the man who dies in a Jihad that is venerated. There is reward also for those who fight and live. Such a person is called a Ghazi, and Islam promises him rich rewards in Paradise. According to the Prophet (peace be upon him) the Mujahid who spends one night on guard duty has performed equally with the ordinary man who prays for a thousand nights.

The battle cry of the Mujahideen is ' Allâh o Akbar' or God is Great. They shout this as they attack, as they fire their weapons, when they see a target hit, even on training when no enemy is in sight. It is a cry that has been heard down the centuries.

Add to the Mujahid's hardy physique, his ability to endure privations, his great resilience, and you have the makings of a first-class guerrilla soldier. From the military point of view the Mujahid starts with substantial advantages. Physically he is better able to withstand the extremes of the terrain and climate than his often much softer enemy. He is fighting for his faith, his freedom, and for his family, which gives him an enormous moral ascendancy but most importantly, he is fighting for Allâh, his God.