Extreme religious interpretations of the Quran and the movement of Islamic Revivalism influence the emergence and progression of violent Jihad in contemporary times. Islamic terrorists are able to legitimize their movement as an act of violent Jihad permitted by the Quran. This is because of religious sanctions that permit the use of violence as an act of defense and to preserve the will of God in Islamic communities. The Quran permits violence as an act of defense waged to protect the Shariat in an Islamic community. The Shariat is explained as a system of ordinances outlined in the Quran and Hadis through which God lays down for mankind the rules of conduct. It is explained that violent Jihad should be undertaken in God’s name and with pure and noble intentions, never for self-enhancement. Martial Jihad should be used to protect and to promote the integrity of Islam and defend against hostile unbelievers. The use of forces in all other instances is forbidden by God. Islamic violence threatens to persist in a region because of the extremities inherent to the Quranic and Revivalist ideology causing violent Jihad. Notes