[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
Beagle says
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
Theology and history are the most important tools we have to understand others.
mortimer says
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?
Angemon says
Very true.
somehistory says
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
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
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?
jay says
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
“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
they are also using all that oil money to live in luxury while those poor guys in isis just want jobs…………..
TheBuffster says
But putting up a fence against terror is *unfriendly* and territorial. When Israel did it, everybody got mad at them. Naughty Saudi Arabia!
pumbar says
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.
Francis Merde says
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.
Faye says
So you’re saying the ideology they love and embrace is something they actually fear? Be careful what you ask for!
Chuck Chaplin says
WORD!
This world is becoming one horribly tragic, hilarious comedy.