The third volume in the Julius Wellhausen Lecture series addresses jihad primarily as a historical phenomenon. Van Ess explains the current development not only from the perspective of the Quran and the tradition of the Prophet but also as a result of centuries of deliberation on the proper interpretation of the term. Since today's Islamic world is influenced by Western concepts, it is reasonable to assume that the current realization of jihad reflects both Western behavioral patterns and Islamic modes of thought.