2861 As far as the striving is concerned with Jihad in the narrow sense, see the limitations in n. 204 to
2:190 and n. 205 to
2:191. But the words are perfectly general and apply to all true and unselfish striving for spiritual good. 2862 The Jews were hampered by many restrictions, and their religion was racial. Christianity, as originally preached, was a hermit religion: "sell whatsoever thou hast" (Mark
10:21): "take no thought for the morrow" (Matt.
6:34). Islam, as originally preached, gives freedom and full play to man's faculties of every kind. It is universal, and claims to date from Adam: father Abraham is mentioned as the great Ancestor of those among whom Islam was first preached (Jews, Christians, and Arab Quraysh). 2863 Before: see Abraham's prayer in
2:128. In this revelation: in this very verse, as well as in other places. 2864 See
2:143, and notes 143 and 144. As the Prophet is a guide and witnesses among us, so Muslims ought to be witneses amongst mankind. The best witness to Allah's Truth are those who show its light in their lives.