In “Digging in with Israel’s enemies” from AFP (thanks to Sr. Soph), the interviewed mujahedin refer to the Muslim prophet Muhammad’s battles with the pagan Quraysh, taking comfort from the fact that his forces prevailed over numerically superior foes.
This is one of the main reasons why I wrote my forthcoming book, The Truth About Muhammad (coming October 9 from Regnery): to illuminate the elements of Muhammad’s life that inspire and motivate the jihadists of today. Unless and until these aspects of Muhammad’s example are rejected by large numbers of Muslims, violence in the name of Islam will continue.
“This is the battle we have long expected and long prepared for,” said Haj Rabia Abu Hussein — known to his soldiers simply as “103.”
“I know my mission. I must make my rockets hit Israel,” he said matter-of-factly….
Note that Ol’ 103 doesn’t seem to care whether he hits military or civilian targets in Israel.
As Mr. Hussein talked, he fingered his Motorola radio, his means of communication with his soldiers farther afield. He wore a blue denim button-down shirt and a baseball cap that he slung backward when the conversation turned intimate.
Mr. Hussein sat beside Abu Mohammad, 44, a longtime friend in Reeboks, a loose-fitting T-shirt and cargo pants.
In their fashion choices, mild manners and neatly trimmed beards, Mr. Mohammad — code name “121” — and Mr. Hussein very much fit the Hezbollah mold.
They shift seamlessly from civilian garb to soldiers’ wear, they said.
“It’s not reasonable to walk around in military uniforms and carry rifles when, for example, the Red Cross comes into town,” Mr. Hussein said….
Of course. When gullible Westerners are around, shift to “ragtag civilian militia” clothing.
The fighters pepper their narrative of resistance with references to Islamic history.
“Muslims have the battle between Muhammad and the Koraysh,” said Mohammad, referring to the prophet’s early struggle against Mecca’s merchant class.
“There was a big difference in the numbers between the two parties, but the prophet Muhammed fought and won. God said, ‘Don’t worry, I will assist you with angels you can’t see.'”
That is a reference to passages of the Qur’an such as 3:123-5 and 8:9, in which Allah promises to send angels to help the Muslims wage war.