[T-Rock]

Where have I said that the terrorists are or are not complying with the tenets of their faith?

You haven't, that is why I asked the question - to solicit an opinion from a learned scholar - thank you for your response.

That is to say, the fatwas for jihad are being issued by individuals such as OBL who do not have the ecclesiastical authority to call for holy war.

But none of that matters does it? Does the Ummah need an ecclesiastical authority to issue a fatwa when the Qur'an is the ultimate source for legal opinions - concerning Jihad?

The Qur'an does lay out the guidelines, the ruling from Allah, for Jihad against the unbelievers...

Strive hard against the unbelievers and the Hypocrites, and be firm against them. Their abode is Hell, - an evil refuge indeed. (9:73, 66:9)

Striving or "struggling", the Muslim's duty - occurs in the context of opposing, or striving against the unbeliever.

The purpose of Jihad is clear.

It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with guidance and the religion of truth, to make it superior over all religions, though the Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) hate (it).(9:33)

Fight [q-t-l] against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islam) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.( 9:29)

While performing Jihad, martyrs are guaranteed a fast track to Islamic paradise to have their sins forgiven, regardless of any debauchery they may have been engaged in.

You who believe, shall I show you a bargain that will save you from painful punishment? 11 Have faith in God and His Messenger and struggle [j-h-d] for His cause with your possessions and your persons—that is better for you, if only you knew—12 and He will forgive your sins, admit you into Gardens graced with flowing streams, into pleasant dwellings in the Gardens of Eternity. That is the supreme triumph (61:10)

God has purchased the persons and possessions of the believers for the Garden—they fight [q-t-l] in God’s way: they kill [q-t-l] and are killed [q-t-l]—this is a true promise given by Him .... Who could be more faithful to his promise than God? So be happy with the bargain you have made: that is the supreme triumph.(9:111)

Here's the thing. The fundamental disagreement between the two of us is that I reject the notion that human beings are motivated to do anything for a single reason.

I do agree with you, but I think the zealots who do blow themselves up for the cause of allah, are doing it for what they perceive as a means of salvation - they believe they may even be able to bring 70 members of their family to paradise with them as well.

.http://www.pmw.org.il/asx/PMW_Hamas_suicide_Rajab.asx

http://www.islamtoday.com/show_detai...main_cat_id=18


For the Christian, it is by the Blood of Christ that enables salvation, but for the Muslim, it takes the blood of the martyr to be totally assured of salvation so that he or she may be afforded the opportunity to intercede for 70 members of their family. I would say the desire for salvation among a religiously inclined people is a pretty powerful motivator, one that shouldn't be discounted.

The very fact that you claim to understand the teachings of Christ--apparently without the mediation of an authority of one form or another-- and that Christianity is not about religion indicates that you are privileging your views over the millions of Americans who have different perspectives on issues of faith, worship, and religious education.

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all"...

The prophet of Christianity was truly anti-religion, He was rejected by the religious.

Jefferson summed it up rather nicely for me:

"Christian creeds and doctrines, the clergy's own fatal inventions, through all the ages has made of Christendom a slaughterhouse, and divided it into sects of inextinguishable hatred for one another."

...overstating your understanding of American religious history..

Self-flagellation in no way will discourage or deter those who have declared war on us, it's Sharia.....when current day Christians start inserting liquid explosives into their anuses in order to kill innocents, I will most certainly re-examine the violent history of Christendom with a fine-toothed comb...

Since you are apparently trying to make a point...

I'm certainly not a learned scholar but my point is that Jihad and Islam needs a reformation, but is it capable of doing so?

IMO, with its current teachings and doctrines - Dar al-Islam will always be ripe for civil war, yet there will always be war in the Dar al-Harb.

Declaring Islam as peace, and that Islam has been hijacked by just a few radicals will most certainly soothe ideological sentiments of many, nevertheless, doing this has failed us strategically. IMO, the refusal to call a spade a spade will do us in.

Should we reevaluate our threat doctrine as Stephen Coughlin suggests? I think so...playing the current appeasement card doesn't seem to be working.

http://www.strategycenter.net/docLib...emistJihad.pdf

http://wolfpangloss.files.wordpress....ept-of-war.pdf