在進行觀察伊斯蘭聖戰的理論與實踐時，除了表面上的武裝衝突外，更重要的應是聖戰理念對於整體伊斯蘭社群秩序的建立與革新，此理想勢必經由社群內部秩序的重整與革新加以實現，也代表著阿拉之道的實踐可能。根據經典記載與宗教學者詮釋，無論內在或外在的功修，勢必經由聖戰(Jihad)的手段，兩者調和可使伊斯蘭社群達到社會、心理上的平衡。本文對於聖戰理念的探討偏向外部社群與政治領域的發展，並以教理與歷史發展爲兩大主軸，探討聖戰思想在伊斯蘭思想體系，乃至於整個世界文明發展的特殊地位。教理方面，將以宗教語言的角度切入，討論聖戰對於伊斯蘭文化及精神體系的主導地位。再者討論聖戰如何能切合、並完成阿拉之道。之後以三大歷史事件與時代：早期伊斯蘭、十字軍東征、近現代伊斯蘭政教運動，探討聖戰思想的歷史發展、社群秩序與伊斯蘭政治的相互關聯。

When we try to observe the theory and practice of Jihad, it is more important to emphasize on how the concept of Jihad improves the order of Islamic Ummah than the armed clash. It should realize by the way of the renewal and reform of the inner order of Islamic Ummah. So the way of Allah would make it possible to realize. According to the Holy Scripts (al-Quran and al-Hadith) and the interpretation of religious scholars (Ulama), we should achieve the inward or outward religious practice by the way of Jihad. Ideally, when the two ways are moderate, the Islamic Ummah will achieve to the balance of the social order and spirit. Here try to discuss the concept of Jihad by the analyses of theology, the interpretation of religious scholars, and the historical events: the foundation of early Islamic Ummah, Crusades, and modern Islamic political-religious movement (Salafiyya movement) so that we can have the primary understanding about the connection of the Jihad, the inward and outward order of Islamic Ummah, and Islamic politics.