"The purpose of armed jihad in Islam is to protect the rights of the innocent, to defend from aggression, and to ensure people are given the opportunity to freely practice Islam. The Quran, the Sunnah, and the majority of scholars from the beginning of Islam until today only permit armed jihad as a response to aggression and persecution...."
But what is aggression and persecution? In practice it is whatever you want it to be.
For instance. According to Al-Qaeda the Balli bombing by Jemaah Islamiyah [Islamic congregation] was in part retribution for Australia involvement in the independence of East Timor.
"Justifications given for attacks on civilians by Islamic extremist groups come from their interpretations of the Quran,[3] the hadith,[15][16] and sharia law.[3] These include retribution by armed jihad for the perceived injustices of unbelievers against Muslims;[17] the belief that the killing of many self-proclaimed Muslims is required because they have violated Islamic law and are disbelievers (takfir);[18] the overriding necessity of restoring and purifying Islam by establishing sharia law, especially by restoring the Caliphate as a pan-Islamic state (especially ISIS);[19] the glory and heavenly rewards of martyrdom;[16] the supremacy of Islam over all other religions.[Note 1]The use of the phrase "Islamic terrorism" is disputed. In Western political speech, it has variously been called "counter-productive", "highly politicized, intellectually contestable" and "damaging to community relations", by those who disapprove of the characterization 'Islamic'.[22][23}...
