To Kill and to Die in the Name of Allah  by Abdullah Al-Araby

September 11, 2001 - "In the worst terrorist attack ever against the United States, hijackers (believed to be connected to Osama Bin Laden's Islamic terrorist group) struck at preeminent symbols of the nation's wealth and might, flying airliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing and injuring thousands of people."

Why do Muslim extremists act this way? Are Muslims inherently inhumane, savage and evil?  Of course not. Muslims are ordinary people, just like anybody else. They are fathers, brothers, and sons. They could be doctors, engineers, and lawyers. They are your co-workers and your next door neighbors. While violence is committed by a minority of Muslim extremists, most Muslims are peaceful, either because they interpret Islam that way or because they are not powerful enough to act violently at this stage.  So, what goes on in their minds when they act violently? To understand this, one must understand an important and dangerous Islamic teaching called "Jihad" (or Holy war).

It is important to understand that not every Arab is a Muslim , not every Muslim is an Arab, and not every Muslim is an extremist. We are not trying to attack a group of people here. We are only exposing a teaching in a religion that could have a serious effect on society.  It is also important to know that in exercising Jihad, Muslim extremists may not think they are trying to maliciously hurt others, but, rather, they are only obeying God's commandments. And in doing so, they are assuring themselves a place in Paradise.

Jihad (Holy War) - Jihad is one of many sacred duties Muslims perform. The word "Jihad" is an Arabic word which means "struggle". Jihad can mean striving to be a better Muslim but it can also mean fighting in the name of Allah. In this sense, Jihad is the struggle for the cause of spreading Islam, using all means available to Muslims, including force. This kind of Jihad is often referred to as "Holy War".  In resorting to force, Muslims will not have any problem finding passages in the Quran (believed by Muslims to be Allah's word), and the Hadith (Mohammed's sayings as recorded by Al Bukhari), that will not only condone violence, but will also demand it.

Jihad in the "Quran" - Allah orders Muslims in the Quran to terrorize non-Muslims on His behalf: "Strike terror (into the hearts of) the enemies of Allah and your enemies" Surah 8:60 "Fight (kill) them (non-Muslims), and Allah will punish (torment) them by your hands, cover them with shame" Surah 9:14 "I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers, smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them. It is not ye who slew them; it was Allah" Surah 8:12, 17

Jihad in the "Hadith" - In the Hadith, Mohammed also urges Muslims to practice Jihad.  Mohammed once was asked: what is the best deed for the Muslim next to believing in Allah and His Apostle? His answer was : "To participate in Jihad in Allah's cause" Al Bukhari vol. 1:25. Mohammed was quoted as saying : "I have been ordered to fight with the people till they say, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah" Al Bukhari vol. 4:196. Mohammed also said, "The person who participates in (Holy Battles) in Allah's cause and nothing compels him to do so except belief in Allah and His Apostle, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward, or booty (if he survives) or will be admitted to paradise (if he is killed)." Al Bukhari vol. 1:35.

Mohammed: an Example - When the prophet of Islam started preaching his new religion in Mecca, he was conciliatory to Christians and Jews. He told them: "We believe in what has been sent down to us and sent down to you, our God is the same as your God" Surah 29:45. This attitude changed completely after he gained strength. Allah then tells him to "Fight People of the Book (Christians and Jews), who do not accept the religion of the truth (Islam), until they pay tribute (penalty tax) by hand, being inferior. " Surah 9:29.

Regarding Christians and Jews, it seems that Mohammed hated the Jews more. During his lifetime, Mohammed devoted much of his efforts to get rid of the Jews: "You (Jews) should know that the earth belongs to Allah and his apostle, and I want to expel you from this land (the Arabian Peninsula), so, if anyone owns property, he is permitted to sell it" Mohammed was quoted.  At that time, there were in Medina three Jewish tribes. Two of them were besieged by Mohammed's men until they surrendered on Mohammed's terms. The third tribe, Bani Qurayza, was not as lucky. After the War of the Trench , in which Mohammed was besieged by the Qurayshites, led by Abu Sofyan, it was alleged that Bani Qurayza agreed to provide help from within to Abu Sofyan's forces. Mohammed never forgave them. Muslims turned against Bani Qurayza. Although the Jewish tribe expressed readiness to accept the surrender terms, Mohammed would not consent to this. Trenches were dug in the bazaar of Medina for disposal of the nine hundred Jewish bodies whom Mohammed had spent the night slaughtering. (See Ibn Hisham:  The Prophet's biography ; vol. 2, pages 40 & 41)

Dear friends - These are historical facts that happened 14 centuries ago. They represent a dangerous tendency for violence in the Muslim fundamentalist mentality. More serious is that Muslim fundamentalists are trying to repeat these acts of violence in this 21st century.  As a state, the country has a right to wage war, killing and dying to fight an enemy who is bound to hurt all of us.  As individuals, let Jesus' message of tolerance and non-violence rule in our personal dealings with others. "Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword". Matthew 26:52