• Why Jihad Watch?
  • About Robert Spencer and Staff Writers
  • FAQ
  • Books
  • Muhammad
  • Islam 101
  • Privacy

Jihad Watch

Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

Raymond Ibrahim: Living and Dying by the Sword of Jihad

Feb 19, 2015 5:51 pm By Raymond Ibrahim

jihad-sword[PJ Media via RaymondIbrahim.com]

In a move reminiscent of “ancient history,” Saudi Arabia is building a 600-mile-long “Great Wall”—a combined fence and ditch—to separate itself from the Islamic State to the north in Iraq:

Plans for the 600-mile wall and ditch Saudi Arabia will build with Iraq in an effort to insulate itself from the chaos engulfing its neighbors.

Much of the area on the Iraqi side is now controlled by Isil [the Islamic State], which regards the ultimate capture of Saudi Arabia, home to the “Two Holy Mosques” of Mecca and Medina, as a key goal….

The irony here is that those Muslims that Saudi Arabia is trying to keep out are the very same Muslims most nurtured and influenced by a Saudi — or “Wahabbi,” or “Salafi” — worldview.

Put differently, Saudi Arabia is again appreciating how jihad is a volatile instrument of war that can easily backfire on those who support it.  “Holy war” is hardly limited to fighting and subjugating “infidels” — whether the West in general, Israel in particular, or the millions of non-Muslim minorities under Islam — but also justifies fighting “apostates,” that is, Muslims accused of not being Islamic enough.

Indeed, the first grand jihad was against Muslim “apostates” — the Ridda [“apostasy”] Wars.  After Muhammad died in 632, many Arab tribes were willing to remain Muslim but without paying zakat (“charity” or extortion) money to the first caliph, Abu Bakr.  That was enough to declare jihad on them as apostates; tens of thousands of Arabs were burned, beheaded, dismembered, or crucified, according to Islamic history.

Accordingly, the Islamic State justifies burning people alive, such as the Jordanian pilot, precisely because the first caliph and his Muslim lieutenants burned apostates alive, and is even on record saying that “false Muslims” are its first target, then Israel.

This is the problem all Muslim nations and rulers risk: no one — not even Sharia-advocating Islamist leaders — are immune to the all-accusing sword tip of the jihad.  If non-Muslims are, as “infidels,” de facto enemies, any Muslim can be accused of “apostasy,” instantly becoming an enemy of Allah and his prophet.

A saying attributed to the Muslim prophet Muhammad validates this perspective: “This umma [Islamic nation] of mine will split into seventy-three sects; one will be in paradise and seventy-two will be in hell.”  When asked which sect was the true one, the prophet replied, “al–jama‘a,” that is, the group which most literally follows the example or “sunna” of Muhammad.

This saying perfectly sums up the history of Islam: to be deemed legitimate, authorities must uphold the teachings of Islam — including jihad; but it is never long before another claimant accuses existing leadership of not being “Islamic enough.”

Enter the Saudi/Islamic State relationship.   From the start, the Arabian kingdom has been a supporter of the Islamic State.  It was not long, however, before IS made clear that Saudi Arabia was one of its primary targets, calling on its allies and supporters in the kingdom to kill and drive out the Saud tribe.

Nor is this the first time the Saudis see those whom they nurtured — ideologically and logistically — turn on them… Keep reading

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Follow me on Facebook

Filed Under: Apostasy, Islamic State (aka ISIS, ISIL, Daesh), Saudi Arabia Tagged With: Great Wall, Salafi, Wahabbi


Learn more about RevenueStripe...

Comments

  1. Beagle says

    Feb 19, 2015 at 6:38 pm

    It is impossible to understand this Abu Bakr without studying the first one. But instead of useful study we continue to pollute young (and older) minds with Said’s Orientalism or the delusional pap of the likes of Karen Armstrong.

    The Seventh Century Riddah Wars, as you say, are illustrative of this Abu Bakr’s strategic vision. IS has _everything_ to do with Islamic theology and Islamic history.

    Who knew theology and medieval history would be the strategic studies of the 21st Century?

    • jay says

      Feb 19, 2015 at 7:48 pm

      Theology and history are the most important tools we have to understand others.

    • mortimer says

      Feb 20, 2015 at 1:47 am

      BUT BEAGLE!

      THE POLITICIANS ARE NOT READING IT, TO OUR GREAT PERIL AND DETRIMENT!

      The pols think without reading the Islamic source texts they have a much better understanding of Islam than those who have done the reading!

      How do you fix that level of arrogance?

  2. Angemon says

    Feb 19, 2015 at 7:12 pm

    The irony here is that those Muslims that Saudi Arabia is trying to keep out are the very same Muslims most nurtured and influenced by a Saudi — or “Wahabbi,” or “Salafi” — worldview.

    Very true.

  3. somehistory says

    Feb 19, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    Yeah, some animals may be raised in captivity, but they aren’t necessarily domesticated, and will often attack those that raised them. Power corrupts and this is proof, if needed. All are part of the beast and build its image.

    • Jay Boo says

      Feb 19, 2015 at 9:04 pm

      Islam is not religion; hate is not faith.
      After numerous beheadings and the sex slave rapes, the fetid stench of Islam ever remains inside the desolation of the Islamic State.

      Only vultures feast at the Allah Who? Snack bar

      • mortimer says

        Feb 20, 2015 at 1:49 am

        Islam is the religion of hatred of Kafirs and Jews, the only religion with ‘correct’ rules for rape, the religion of beheading, crucifixion and mutilation.

        The Islamic vultures have permission from the mullahs to eat the flesh of their enemies. Snack?

  4. jay says

    Feb 19, 2015 at 7:45 pm

    What? A fence? Isn’t that apartheid??? Don’t they want to help these misguided youngsters see the true ways of Islam?? This all seems very Zionist and Islamphobic to me.

    What has always confused me, is why do none of these oil rich countries have any military worth crap? Are they seriously spending it all on funding jihad, private Beyonce shows, cheetahs and tall buildings? Iran is that desperate they’re building a fence, that’s possibly a good sign. I’m glad Muslims are their first priority, then Israel. Let them kill each other and hopefully gives us enough time to get a new president at least.

    • mortimer says

      Feb 20, 2015 at 1:53 am

      “A fence? Isn’t that apartheid?”

      They are building the fence so they aren’t forced to kill fellow Salafis who take Salafism more seriously than the Saudis who developed and exported Islam.

      The IRONY of Salafis killing the ISIS disciples of the Salafis would not be lost on all Muslims.

      The Saudis don’t want to kill their Frankenstein’s monster! ISIS was built be Saudi Arabia!

    • M S case says

      Feb 20, 2015 at 5:20 pm

      they are also using all that oil money to live in luxury while those poor guys in isis just want jobs…………..

  5. TheBuffster says

    Feb 19, 2015 at 8:17 pm

    But putting up a fence against terror is *unfriendly* and territorial. When Israel did it, everybody got mad at them. Naughty Saudi Arabia!

  6. pumbar says

    Feb 19, 2015 at 11:13 pm

    I wonder which side of the fence they will stick the razor wire? I’ll bet there are as many trying to get out to join IS as there are trying to get in.

  7. Francis Merde says

    Feb 20, 2015 at 2:23 am

    I remember a quote by Alexander the Great. After being asked, by his generals on his deathbed, who was to succeed him. His reply was a single word:

    “Kratistos” (The strongest). So much for Dar-al-Islam.

  8. Faye says

    Feb 20, 2015 at 12:07 pm

    So you’re saying the ideology they love and embrace is something they actually fear? Be careful what you ask for!

  9. Chuck Chaplin says

    Feb 22, 2015 at 7:12 pm

    WORD!
    This world is becoming one horribly tragic, hilarious comedy.

FacebookYoutubeTwitterLog in

Subscribe to the Jihad Watch Daily Digest

You will receive a daily mailing containing links to the stories posted at Jihad Watch in the last 24 hours.
Enter your email address to subscribe.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!
If you are forwarding to a friend, please remove the unsubscribe buttons first, as they my accidentally click it.

Subscribe to all Jihad Watch posts

You will receive immediate notification.
Enter your email address to subscribe.
Note: This may be up to 15 emails a day.

Donate to JihadWatch
FrontPage Mag

Search Site

Translate

The Team

Robert Spencer in FrontPageMag
Robert Spencer in PJ Media

Articles at Jihad Watch by
Robert Spencer
Hugh Fitzgerald
Christine Douglass-Williams
Andrew Harrod
Jamie Glazov
Daniel Greenfield

Contact Us

Terror Attacks Since 9/11

Archives

  • 2020
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2019
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2018
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2017
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2016
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2015
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2014
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2013
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2012
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2011
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2010
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2009
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2008
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2007
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2006
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2005
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2004
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2003
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • March

All Categories

You Might Like

Learn more about RevenueStripe...

Recent Comments

  • Michael Copeland on Iranian Kurdistan: Muslim brothers behead their sister in honor killing over her romantic relationship
  • Walter Sieruk on Iranian top dogs approve bill to end UN nuclear inspections, increase enrichment
  • Dude on Muslim cleric: ‘We welcomed the takeover of ISIS because they wanted to implement the Sharia’
  • Infidel on Uighur leader: ‘We’re actually quite worried’ about what Biden might let China get away with
  • Infidel on Uighur leader: ‘We’re actually quite worried’ about what Biden might let China get away with

Popular Categories

dhimmitude Sharia Jihad in the U.S ISIS / Islamic State / ISIL Iran Free Speech

Robert Spencer FaceBook Page

Robert Spencer Twitter

Robert Spencer twitter

Robert Spencer YouTube Channel

Books by Robert Spencer

Jihad Watch® is a registered trademark of Robert Spencer in the United States and/or other countries - Site Developed and Managed by Free Speech Defense

Content copyright Jihad Watch, Jihad Watch claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to their respective owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and you do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

Our mailing address is: David Horowitz Freedom Center, P.O. Box 55089, Sherman Oaks, CA 91499-1964

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.