Does Al-Qur'an Encourage Violence?

Armed struggle or resistance, which is only a part of Jihad, is not a holy war that is fought for the purpose of drawing people into the fold of Islam. Rather, it is a form of ethical conduct against the oppressors. Islam never cites religious differences as a reason to justify waging wars. According to Islam, Jihad is to struggle against the oppressors, whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims. In this sense, armed struggle is more about how one conducts him/herself ethically in harmony with justice and freedom as opposed to injustice and oppression. Therefore, the Mujahid (literally a person who strives and struggles) struggles against the transgressions of the oppressors, not against his/her faith or ideology. Hence, the jihad in Islam refers to arms struggle even against the Muslims who do acts of mischief on earth and against the oppressive Muslim ruler.