Speculating pundits have been agonizing over why jihadists become a threat and how we go about preventing domestic “radicalization”. They persist in using modern Western constructs to try to figure out a 1,400-year-old problem. It’s Islamic jihad, stupid.
Although one cannot deny adverse human factors can come into play — such as mental illness, social ills such youth alienation and poverty, easy access to guns for those with a propensity for violence – the jihad ideology is not dependent on any human variable. It is an ideology based on hate, violence, and conquest, and whoever wants to join the ranks of its mujahideen is welcomed aboard with promises of paradise. Western meanderings around the subject of Islamic jihad only serve to stymie real efforts to stop it from spreading.
Trump had a valid point that “an unchecked flow of Muslim immigrants could result in extremists ‘taking over’ the minds of our children.”
“How do domestic terrorists become radicalized?” by Robert Gebelhoff, Washington Post, June 20, 2016:
The mass shooting in Orlando last week reignited an international discussion on domestic terrorism — and more specifically, of how Westerners become radicalized enough to translate extremist ideology into violent action.
Pundits are quick to speculate, and it’s easy to see why: If we’re able to pinpoint why domestic terrorists become a threat, then perhaps in the future we’ll be able to prevent similar attacks.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has long argued for a ban on Muslims entering the U.S., recently claiming that an unchecked flow of Muslim immigrants could result in extremists “taking over” the minds of our children. Meanwhile, President Obama dismissed Trump’s comments as a “political distraction” that lacks a strategy to prevent violence.
In the midst of tragedy, we all tend to seek out a reason for what seems to be senseless violence — and it always produces the same questions. What were the perpetrators trying to achieve? What were they motivated by — their economic situation? Political oppression? Perverted religious doctrine? Psychological disorders?
One common theory focuses on socioeconomics. After the attacks in Paris and Belgium, some argued that violent radicalization is the result of the economic blight of minority communities. In France, for example, the poor “banlieue” neighborhoods are home to some of the largest and most isolated Muslim populations in Europe — and also high unemployment and a lack of opportunities.
These neighborhoods have seen regular violence over the decades. French journalists have claimed the violence has less to do with Islam and more to do with poverty and a lack of “justice sociale.” This view seems to echo the logic of the prominent French economist Thomas Piketty, who recently theorized that economic inequality was fueling the rise of the Islamic State throughout the Middle East.
This narrative has its critics. If we emphasize economics too much, they argue, we run the risk of understating the political factors that have resulted in the social marginalization of these communities. Under this view, policies enforcing the secularization of public spaces have contributed most to bitterness seeded in minority religions. France, Belgium and Turkey, for example, all have a version of the “separation of church and state” doctrine in their constitutions — called “laïcité.” It’s significantly different from the concept of religious freedom in the United States and forbids people in public spaces to be distinguishable by religion. That means no religious headwear or insignia are allowed in schools or government buildings — and it has led to a lot of political strife amid the growth of Islam in European nations.
Indeed, throughout history, many violent factions of society were driven more forcefully by political causes rather than economic. In Ireland and in Spain, armed groups such as the Irish Republican Army or separatist groups in the Spanish Basque Country were seeking political independence. And in the United States, research on radical white supremacists groups has found that racial violence was not isolated to areas with higher poverty.
Others are convinced that radicalization can’t always be explained through political or economic factors. They suggest that radicalization happens at an individual level, stressing psychological pitfalls and mental disorders in perpetrators of attacks.
This narrative gets at the so-called “lone wolf phenomenon”: when individuals who are inspired by terrorist groups like the Islamic State take action on their own. In many of these cases, the “lone wolves” may use rhetoric and tactics from terrorist groups that they see online, but they often only have a cursory understanding of the cause or religion they claim to represent. This seems to be the case for the Orlando shooting, which is why Hillary Clinton made stopping lone-wolf attackers a key segment in her response to last week’s massacre…..

Jaladhi says
Because terrorism is their religion!! Ha, ha,… that sounds ok to me!
linnte says
Emailed the author of this Washington Post article.
Dan says
Because that’s what bullies do.
Use fear to control.
They also tend to run away with tails between legs when somebody gives them a bloody snout.
Angemon says
Any possible answer to that question is wrong from the get go. Why? Because not all domestic terrorists are the same. The Unabomber was “radicalized” for completely different reasons than Omar Mateen. While I’m an engineer and all for making things as generic as possible, this kind of collectivisation will always – always – be in the way of getting results – start treating “domestic terrorism” as a catch-all term and you won’t catch any because it varies from individual to individual. You may not be able to predict that someone will start hearing their neighbour’s dog telling him to kill, but that does not mean you are not allowed to give a bit more of attention to someone who professes to adhere to an ideology that mandates them to wage war on those who don’t.
Norger says
You’re much too logical for this reporter.
You are correct, “domestic terrorism” is the wrong term here; this is religious warfare. If Mr. Gebelhoff really wanted to know what causes “Sudden Jihad Syndrome,” a better question would be:
“What causes some devout young Muslims to take the next step, become jihadis and and engage in mass slaughter of American citizens, right here in the US?” I have a hint for you Mr. Gebelhoff, as Mr. Spencer has pointed out, growing up in a fundamentalist household with a father who is a Taliban supporter no doubt got young Omar off to a rip roaring head start.
And no, Mr. Gebelhoff, Omar’s stated explanation for the attack (I.e he is justified in the indiscriminate killing of Americans because we attacked Afghanistan, a Muslim country) isn’t a “perverted” interpretation of this particular faith. To the contrary, it’s an entirely plausible interpretation of Islam, shared by countless Muslims, numbering (at least) in the tens of millions. You sir, are being intellectually dishonest. Americans are not as lacking in common sense as you apparently believe.
Mike Ramirez says
Title Question: “Why do jihadists terrorize?”
Answer: Indoctrination. (Some learn at a very young age)
Child Martyrs, “Birds of Paradise”
According to reports from the United Nations, Al-Qaida in Iraq operates a youth wing for children under the age of 14 called “Birds of Paradise” (or “Paradise Boys” or “Youth of Heaven”) to carry out suicide attacks against military, government, and civilian targets. Children are also used to spy, scout, transport military supplies and equipment, complete video attacks, and plant explosive devices. – The Washington Examiner, January 29, 2016
(Related article)
“Birds of Paradise” – Martyrdom Recruitment as Children’s Entertainment
http://www.investigativeproject.org/1072/birds-of-paradise-martyrdom-recruitment-as
more:
Questionable Teachings of Islam http://www.Starman3000.com
More Ham Ed says
That’s true.
More Ham Ed says
Why do jihadists terrorize?
It has somethin’ to do with the unholy ko ‘ran and too few ham sandwiches.
Even Arkansas rednecks are joining-in (according to the photo, middle right) (humor).
Unlike the New Testament, the unholy ko ‘ran doesn’t contain a consistent theme or overall teaching that would make it clear that the “violent verses” are NOT for current-day followers.
The Washington Post — more like the Brain-Washing Post (leftists).
However, I think even the Huff & Puffington Post is to the left of the Brain-Washing Post.
BARBARA BROOKS says
The question to ask is, “Why don’t more Wahabi and Salafist Muslims get involved in terrorism?” since they have very militant ideologies. Somehow millions of people who hear a very militant version of Islam manage to lead quiet lives. Maybe we need to study the Muslims who don’t get involved in terrorism to figure out why terrorists are different.
Mike Ramirez says
(Barbara Brooks) “Maybe we need to study the Muslims who don’t get involved in terrorism to figure out why terrorists are different”
Hi Barbara. The terrorists, a.k.a. jihadists, a.k.a. mujahideen, a.k.a. radical Islamists, are the military branch of Islam.
Just as not all Patriotic Americans are in the military service but still believe in needing to defend the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, they will stand behind in support of our U.S. military.
This would be the case with those whom you refer to that “…don’t get involved in terrorism…”
Additionally, here are the words that Muhammad proclaimed, as written in the following Hadith:
“The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: A section of my community will continue to fight for the right and overcome their opponents till the last of them fights with the Antichrist.” (Sunan Abu-Dawud Book 14, Number 2478, Narrated Imran ibn Husayn)
We can, thus, liken our own military as a “section of the American community” while not all Americans are actually serving in the armed forces.
And, this is what the Qur’an expects of ALL Muslims:
“Go ye forth, (whether equipped) lightly or heavily, and strive and struggle, with your goods and your persons, in the cause of Allah. That is best for you, if ye (but) knew.” (Qur’an:009.041)
more
Questionable Teachings of Islam http://www.Starman3000.com
R Crocker says
Good points Mike – Sure most Muslims are not violent Jihadists, but what leftists refuse to face is that if a believer is to remain true to Mohammad’s teachings than supporting Holy War is not optional. I don’t doubt that many Muslims are the equivalent of that bane of clergymen everywhere – that being the Sunday morning Christian. Any violent act in the name of Islam is now considered the work of a violent extremist thanks to our proto-Muslim president and his lap dog media – including Fox. The truth is that they are really devout Muslims – they take the Qur’an literally as any true Muslim must. This Holiest of books is either the direct word of Allah or the insane ravings of a power mad crackpot. I’m pretty sure which is correct – but for true Muslims there is no wiggle room here.
John Marst says
Why do jihadists terrorize? Why do ticks suck blood? It’s what they do. (Maybe ticks have an itty bitty insect Qur’an.)
mortimer says
IT’S THE IDEOLOGY, STUPID!
billybob says
Here is why Muslims terrorize…
“Modern Islam is a Myth” segment begins at the 15:00 minute mark (or 1 second before that).
I suggest you go directly to the 15 minute mark first and get this before anything else.
Though I learned a few things from Infowars reporter Paul Joseph Watson discussing the Brexit vote and what it would mean for the rest of Europe, he wanders through the first 15 minutes repeating himself several times and it isn’t worth the effort. Just keep watching after the “Modern Islam is a Myth” segment and you’ll get some worthwhile thoughts..
Brexit Threatens To Topple World Government
Published on Jun 15, 2016
Holo says
A good Muslim will read and even learn the Koran by heart. In it there are over 100 commandments to “kill he infidels”. It’s as simple as that, but American authorities and media don’t want to knowl. This is ignorant because one can’t solve a problem if one doesn’t know and consider all its facets.
duh Swami says
‘I have been made victorious by terror’…Allah identifies itself as a terrorist Q 8:12…Q 8’60 is not a suggestion, it is an order…
Yevgeniy Malashev says
The basis of terrorism today is a continuation of the cold war and the cowardice of politicians to admit.
On this website only some of the statements which were ignored by the FBI for political reasons.
http://roymalashev.wix.com/wwwstarfall_kidnappedcom
Roy Malashev
19 июн. (1 дн. назад)
кому: info
Please do not be surprised, but today intelligence agencies vigorously to help the terrorists keep the secret and to launch new attacks. Looking for support in the investigation of the terrorist attacks. Unfortunately the attack system and the theme which is able to reveal the essence of the attack for political reasons boycotted to investigate the intelligence agencies of the US and Europe. And so it is easier to say that such acts of terrorism (Orlando, Boston Marathon, New Orleans, Brussels, Paris and others) spend lone terrorists with unstable mentality. In reality it is not. Most of the attacks are under old agreements between leaders of Islam and the USSR. Today the role of the USSR is Russia and Islam became a powerful force of these agreements. Intelligence agencies and the US government, Europe was in an ambivalent situation. Revealing the truth leads to the aggravation of the situation with either the Islamic world or Russia and the taiga Union. But the longer the secret services of Europe and the United States will cheat their citizens, the more blood will be shed later. So if you do not want to see again, dead people and explosions initiate an investigation of the facts stated by me. Investigation can be initiated at the state or particular city where people died. Don’t expect that from Federal services because of the reasons mentioned above, while the Central security service are boycotting the investigation, the terrorists and the Russian security services kill witnesses are able to uncover a terrorist network. The idea that the next terrorist attack will be in another state or country and I personally will not carry out the initiative, the vicious With respect. God bless you.
My application is written in FBI and police in Orlando 13.06.2016 :
Roy Malashev
13 июн. (5 дн. назад) кому: sharon.grimes
Hello dear police, please do not be surprised to my letter about the handling of terrorism (gay club Orlando 12. 06. 2016) and send it through their channels to the FBI of your state. I sent this information via a web form of the FBI, but my experience tells me that their statements need to do so that I had a copy, but the web form, the FBI does not give evidence of conversion. From my statement you will understand that for political reasons, the FBI periodically blocking the investigation of these levers terrorism or its authoritative boycott distorts reality. No offense to the honest officers. My only desire is the opening of this control lever terrorism. Depends on my life.
– FBI Assistant Special Agents in Charge – Ronald Hopper (Orlando) 12. 06. 2016 Good day, I feel sorry for the victims of the terrorist attack. I’m looking for a competent officer is able to investigate the mechanism of launching terrorist attacks. Search for artists and assistants is important, but does not solve the problem. Attack will be repeated. I tried for many years to find the initiative to investigate the creation of terrorist organizations and the fact of the creation of a geopolitical multiply matrices that create the attacks and the terrorists. But until today I was not able to find a competent and independent officer who can’t be ban to investigate an uncomfortable political situation. I would have stopped trying to pursue the investigation, but the disclosure of the terrorist network is important to me personally, for my future life. And later I’m trying again to tell. I’ll start in order: In the stirrups of the cold war, the USSR together with spiritual leaders of different Islamic groups and with the assistance of special services of the USSR, Turkey and other Islamic countries have carried out work on creation of a geopolitical multiply matrices and vectors of development of the situations of the destruction of Europe and the United States. The work called “On joint promotion of Islam and communism in the world.” Today the project is active, adjustments in development situations is stress. Stress is: the attacks, controlled natural disasters, mass migration (the principle of extruding the biomass from the tube) and so on. Aspects lot. Attacks of this type as 9/11, Boston Marathon, Orlando 12. 06. 2016. and many others are included in the number of terrorist attacks management. ( By the way, your very bad FBI is investigating the attack Boston Marathon, because of corruption or politically uncomfortable situation, your service of persistently boycotted the most important part of I repeatedly sent. It is a fact of acquaintance of Tsarnaev and Kadyrbaev families through the service of the KGB of the USSR and the Institute of Marxism of the USSR since 1968. But you chose not to complicate investigation and to stop at a simple version of hooliganism. God will judge). Generally, if you want to really investigate the problem of controlled terrorism, my contacts active. Without a translator I speak only in Russian. With respect. I am willing under oath to repeat his statement. Yevgeniy Malashev +995558759500 or mail
duh Swami says
When you k3eep your posts short, people are more likely to read them…
Angemon says
TL;DR: Russians are secretly allied with muslims and help them to commit terrorist attacks while US and European law enforcement do their best emulation of the Keystone cops.
Angemon says
Yevgeniy Malashev posted:
“The basis of terrorism today is a continuation of the cold war and the cowardice of politicians to admit.”
So, the Unabomber, Bin Laden, GreenPeace, Hezbollah, Anders Breivik, Hamas – all of that is to blame on the cold war? How about when muslims, energized by islamic orthodoxy, acted like ISIS is acting today, for example, in 711, and invaded Europe?
duh Swami says
Terrorism is a tactic…Not all Mahoundians are terrorists, but they are all jihadists as a duty and obligation to Allah…
TJ Hanley says
Perhaps the name of the religion has something to do with it? “Islam” translates as “submission.” Isn’t that the purpose of terrorism?
waterdog says
Jihadis terrorize because they are cowards. They would rather attack a nightclub where patrons are unarmed, rock concerts, or people in restaurants. They won’t attack unless they have outgunned or outnumbered their victims. You can’t depend on our chicken sh#t government to look out for us because it has a not-so-closet Muslim running it.
Michael Carpenter says
To me the answer is simple. Jihadist terrorize because that is what Mohammad did. While Mohammad lived in Mecca he only had around 100 followers after 13 years of evangelizing. Mohammad’s forced move to Medina caused him feel oppressed by the Meccan’s. More oppression came his way after the Jews and Christians rejected him as being a prophet to them. Mohammad resorted to terrorism as a tactic to broaden his base of converts. Mohammad beheaded, murdered, raped, pillaged, and enslaved those who opposed him, mainly Arabs. After 13 years in Medina his followers increased to over 100,000. Terrorism has been a successful tactic since the founding of Islam. Mohammad left a directive for his followers to conquer the world.
Qur’an 9:123 O you who believe, fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you and let them find firmness in you. And know that Allah is with those who keep their duty.
Hadith Sahih Muslim M001,0031 Mohammad: “I have been ordered to wage war against mankind until they accept that there is no god but Allah and that they believe I am his prophet and accept all revelations spoken through me.
Hadith Sahih Muslim M020,4696 Mohammad: “The man who dies without participating in jihad, who never desired to wage holy war, dies the death of a hypocrite.”
nicu says
Koranderthals !
UNCLE VLADDI says
“Radicalization” is simple: the Judeo-Christian Bible says if you feel depressed and commit suicide (especially while trying to murder others) you’ll go to Hell.
Islam says if you commit suicide WHILE murdering others, you go to Paradise.
…….Further,
“The source of Islamic hatred is an open book, beginning with Surah Al-Fatiha and Surah Al-Baqarah. We went astray, assigned a partner to Allah and resist his will by refusing to submit. For that, Allah hates and curses us. Because Allah curses us, Muslims curse us. They need to punish us for not being Muslims. [9:14, 9:29, 9:123]
Do Muslims have a right to practice Islam? Only if they have a right to attack, kill, plunder, extort rape, & enslave all who do not submit to Allah. Islam entails those works, because Moe, the greatest and best of men and the Muslim role model, did them. [33:21] They do not have a right to do that here.
Today a Muslim may be as passive and benign as Dr. Jasser, tomorrow he may get Iman and emulate Dr. Nidal Hassan. If we keep him out, we don’t need to worry about it unless he obtains very long range weapons.”
– Dajjal –
sham says
The word “Islam” is closely related to the word “salam or silm” which means peace. Muhammad, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, himself had a very peaceful nature, was extremely tolerant, and highly protective of the non-Muslim minorities living in the Muslim state.
However, there are times when states find war inevitable, but Islam only permits war in specific and dire circumstances. It keeps warfare at a level of mercy and respect for the enemy that no other army has been able to reach. The Prophet sometimes had to fight for the mere survival of his people and message, but once their security was ensured, he immediately reverted to peace and diplomacy.
There is a rigid code Muslims must abide by in deciding when they can fight and how the fighting should be conducted. War itself is despised, and is only a last-resort option when all other attempts at peace have been made.
A Muslim is never allowed to initiate hostilities. “And fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but transgress not the limits. Surely, Allah likes not the transgressors.” [2: 190].
The only times in which believers are allowed to take up arms are when they are defending their own lives and the lives of their people, when they see the weak being oppressed in acts of tyranny, and when they are prohibited from practicing their religion:
“And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. And fight not with them at the Inviolable Place of Worship until they first attack you there, but if they attack you (there) then slay them. Such is the reward of disbelievers.” [2: 191].
“They question thee (O Muhammad) with regard to warfare in the sacred month. Say: Warfare therein is a great (transgression), but to turn (men) from the way of Allah, and to disbelieve in Him and in the Inviolable Place of Worship, and to expel His people thence, is a greater with Allah; for persecution is worse than killing. And they will not cease from fighting against you till they have made you renegades from your religion, if they can. And whoso be cometh a renegade and dieth in his disbelief: such are they whose works have fallen both in the world and the Hereafter, Such are rightful owners of the Fire: they will abide therein,” [2:217].
Angemon says
“The sham posted:
The word “Islam” is closely related to the word “salam or silm” which means peace. ”
Oh, great, the sham is posting another dawah copy/paste hackjob that’s been floating around the internet for f*** knows how long (see, for example, http://www.nicheoftruth.org/pages/islam_terrorism.htm). Meh, I guess I can flex my anti-islamic muscles a bit.
*clear throat*
“Islam” is derived from the Arabic root “salema”, which stands for both “peace” and “submission”. A muslim is someone who submits to what allah orders – i.e., killing and subjugating infidels – not to peace.
“Muhammad, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, himself had a very peaceful nature, was extremely tolerant, and highly protective of the non-Muslim minorities living in the Muslim state.”
Nope. Much to the contrary.
“However, there are times when states find war inevitable, but Islam only permits war in specific and dire circumstances. It keeps warfare at a level of mercy and respect for the enemy that no other army has been able to reach. The Prophet sometimes had to fight for the mere survival of his people and message, but once their security was ensured, he immediately reverted to peace and diplomacy.”
And which “specific and dire” circumstances are those? Enter quran, 9:28-31:
9:28
O you who have believed, indeed the polytheists are unclean, so let them not approach al-Masjid al-Haram after this, their [final] year. And if you fear privation, Allah will enrich you from His bounty if He wills. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Wise.
9:29
Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture – [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled.
9:30
The Jews say, “Ezra is the son of Allah “; and the Christians say, “The Messiah is the son of Allah .” That is their statement from their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved [before them]. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?
9:31
They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah , and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him.
Are muslims ordered to fight to defend themselves? Not according to 9:29-31. In 9:28, muhammad tells muslims to stop polythiests from doing the pilgrimage to the kaabaa, which was a pagan temple with hundreds of divinities and responsible for a large chunk of the income of the Meccans, because polythiests are regarded as “unclean”. Of course the Meccans, who would lose a large source of income if the pilgramages stop, were aprehensive. But in the same breath, muhammad assured them that allah would provide for them. How? Enter 9:29 – fight the Jews and Christians until they convert, pay the jizyiah or die. If they converted to islam then they’d have to pay zakat. If they did not convert but agreed to live under islamic rule they’d pay the jizyiah. If they refuse options a) and b) then muslims were authorized to kill them and take their possessions, women and children as war booty.
This, of course, posed a problem for muhammad, who had previously declared Jews and Christians to be “People of the Book” – i.e., people who received revelations before him, and brothers in monotheism. How would he justify attacking them? On the basis of their religion – you see, 9:30 and 9:31 teach that Jews and Christians were associating others with allah and therefore are, for all intents and purposes, polytheists.
“A Muslim is never allowed to initiate hostilities.”
Look at 9:29-31 – it’s “fight people because of their religion”, not “fight people because they’re attacking you”. Plus, there’s the hadith:
Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:
Allah’s Apostle said: “I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah’s Apostle, and offer the prayers perfectly and give the obligatory charity, so if they perform that, then they save their lives and property from me except for Islamic laws and then their reckoning (accounts) will be done by Allah.”
Does it say that muhammad was ordered to fight those who attacked him first? No, it says that muhammad was ordered by allah to fight against people until they say there’s no god but allah and muhammad is its messenger. “Muslims are never allowed to initiate hostilities” my ass…
“The only times in which believers are allowed to take up arms are when they are defending their own lives and the lives of their people, when they see the weak being oppressed in acts of tyranny, and when they are prohibited from practicing their religion:”
Or, as we saw above, when they want to rob non-muslims.
“And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. ”
Funny that verse is mentioned. The context fo the revelation of that verse is this: muhammad was driven out of Mecca for insulting and attacking the Meccans and their gods. After settling in Medina, he started raiding Meccan caravans. In one of those raids they killed a Meccan. When asked about it, muhammad got a “revelation” that amounted to “well, it’s bad, but what they’re doing is worse”. What were the Meccans doing that was worse than killing someone? Not letting muhammad enter Mecca on the grounds he was preaching violence against the Meccans on the grounds of their religion.
“They question thee (O Muhammad) with regard to warfare in the sacred month. Say: Warfare therein is a great (transgression), but to turn (men) from the way of Allah, and to disbelieve in Him and in the Inviolable Place of Worship, and to expel His people thence, is a greater with Allah; for persecution is worse than killing. ”
More or less the same thing as the previous verse. The “sacred months” were a time where the arab tribes agreed not to attack one another. The leader of one of the caravan raids ordered by muhammad against the Meccans, while stalking a caravan, had to make a dificult decision: attack the caravan during the sacred months or wait until the sacred months ended and allow the caravan to reach its destiny safely. Obviously, he went with option a) – raid that booty, and that caused restlesseness among the arabs. Muhammad originally refused to take his share of the loot until he had (another) “revelation” sanctioning sanctioning it – sure, fighting suring the sacred months is a serious transgression, but the Meccans won’t let me enter Mecca, so those traders deserved it.
sham says
Aside from these circumstances, there is no legitimate fighting in Islam.
The conditions placed upon the soldier in battle are of utmost respect for the enemy and for human life. Islam makes a clear distinction between combatants and noncombatants, forbidding soldiers to harm defenseless civilian in any way. The Prophet said: “Do not kill the women, children, aged or the ill.” He also prohibited Muslims from harming monks in their monasteries or hermits in their caves. Cutting down trees, destroying livestock, wells, homes or land of the enemy is likewise forbidden. Upon seeing the corpse of a woman in a battlefield, Prophet Muhammad asked his companions why she had been killed, and condemned it.
There is no excuse for any expedition or attack resulting in the killing of civilians, no one has the right to take innocent lives.
For those enemies active in combat and those taken prisoner of war, the list of rights is lengthy. There is no torture, no killing of the wounded or defenseless, and the return of corpses to the enemy is honored. There is no mutilation of the enemy bodies. Even after Hind bint Utbah, a powerful lady of Makkah, chewed the liver of the Prophet’s uncle, Hamzah, after he was killed in a battle between Muhammad and her non-Muslim people, Muhammad still forbade his men from disrespecting a creation of God in such a way
The Prophet commanded the believers to treat the prisoners of war with kindness. One prisoner by the name of Abu Aziz told how surprised he was to see the Muslims giving the better part of their meal-the bread-to the prisoners while they themselves just had dates. “Not a crumb of bread would fall into their hands without them giving it to me,” he narrated, “and I would be so embarrassed that I would reject it. But then they would return it back to me.”
The Qur’an lays down strict guidelines for the declaration of war by a Muslim army, and Muslims are prohibited from breaching any treaty to which they have agreed.
“If you fear treachery from any people throw back (their covenant) to them (so as to be) on equal terms (that there will be no more covenant between you and them), Certainly Allah likes not the treacherous. [8:58].
The extent of the Prophet’s mercy can be seen in the Muslim conquest of Makkah, which happened towards the end of his life. The Makkan tribe of Quraish had blatantly violated the significant “Treaty of Hudaybiyya” by supplying men and arms in an effort to attack a Muslim-allied tribe. They had slaughtered ruthlessly, even killing inside the Holy Sanctuary, and knew they could expect retaliation for such a weighty crime.
Muhammad, upon learning of the raid, set out for Makkah at the head of a colossal army of 10,000 men. Everyone
wondered how he would conduct this expedition; if he wanted revenge for all the mockery, persecution, and murders of his companions, now was certainly the time. His forces humiliatingly outnumbered his enemies.
When the army reached the outskirts of Makkah, they came upon the chief of Quraish, the archenemy of Islam, Abu Sufvan. Several Muslims were furious and wished to see him dead, but the noble Prophet received him. Muhammad
asked his uncle, Abbas, to take Abu Sufyan ahead to a high gorge-giving him a full view of the Muslim army approaching Makkah.
The leader must have felt his heart leap to his throat as he watched group after group, tribe after tribe pass in front of him. Finally, he turned to ‘Abbas and asked incredulously, “Oh Abbas! Who are all these people?” Abbas’s reply was
plain and powerful: “This is the Apostle of Allah and his Companions.”
When Abu Sufyan approached the Prophet Muhammad begging for pardon and forgiveness, it was not revenge he heard coming from Muhammad’s blessed lips. Instead, the Prophet simply said: “He who takes refuge in Abu Sufyan’s house is safe; whosoever confines himself to his house, the people therein will be in safety; and he who enters the Sacred Mosque is safe.”
With these words Muhammad gave a full pardon and amnesty to the city of Makkah, and it was conquered in peace. To Wahshi, the murderer of Muhammad’s uncle Hamzah; a pardon. To Hind, who mutilated his body and chewed his liver, absolute clemency. To Habar, who had attacked the Prophet’s daughter so brutally that she eventually died, forgiveness.
After seeing this, the people started to accept Islam in crowds, as long before, God had promised Muhammad they would. ” When comes the Help of Allah (to you against your enemies) and conquest (of Makkah), And you see that the people enter Allah’s Religion (Islam) in crowds, So glorify the Praises of your Lord, and ask for His forgiveness. Verily, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and forgives”
[110:1-3].
As families were reunited and the Muslims celebrated being back in the sacred city, Muhammad had other things in mind. After offering prayers to God for the victory, he proceeded directly to the House of God, the Ka’bah, that had been polluted by the 360 man-made idols. The Prophet of God proceeded to knock them to the ground with his bow. As he did, he recited the Qur’anic verse: “And Say: Truth (Islamic Monotheism) has come and falsehood (Polythesm) has vanished. Surely! Falsehood is ever-bound to vanish.” [17:81].
“Al-Amin” returned to Madinah, where he spent the last years of his extraordinary life in worship and devotion to his Lord. He continued to stand in prayer for hours throughout the night until his ankles were swollen and his wife asked him to stop., but he did not.
Although he was a ruler of a vast empire in his last years, he continued to sleep on a modest straw mat, with no desire for carpets, or luxuries of any kind. He became ill and passed away in the arms of his wife, Aisha, at the age of 63. He left behind a stunning legacy, a blameless example and a religion that changed the world forever.
Angemon says
The sham posted:
“Aside from these circumstances, there is no legitimate fighting in Islam.
The conditions placed upon the soldier in battle are of utmost respect for the enemy and for human life. Islam makes a clear distinction between combatants and noncombatants, forbidding soldiers to harm defenseless civilian in any way.”
Take, for example, the story of Kinana of Khaibar. Khaibar was a Jewish settlement raided by muhammad and his gang of camel-riding, flea-ridden, highway-robbing butt-pirates. The Jews who weren’t executed were enslaved, including women and children. The leader of the settlement, Kinana, said they had no treasures. Soeone ratted that Kinana went to nearby ruins frequently. Kinana kept denying there was a treasure. The ruins were investigated and some treasure was found. Kinana refused to tell where the rest of it was. Muhammad ordered a fire to be lit on his chest and, since Kinana kept refusing to tell where the rest of the treasure was, muhammad eventually ordered him to be beheaded.
Oh, and there’s also the list of poets who muhammad had killed for simply mocking him.
The rest of that post is just another copy/paste dawah hackjob that won’t fool anyone remotely knowledgeable of islamic orthodoxy.