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| Text review continued |
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WALLACE TOM Jr. (2015) Refuting Islam, The Christian Patriots Guide to Exposing the Evils of Islam, Bellingham, Fundamental Publishers.
Chapter One:The Fantacizers Cont.
In Equal Opportunity Destroyer, the author states that Islam not only wars with Christianity but also with any worldview (my term) that does not submit to Muhammad's God, Allah. (8).
Mr. Wallace opines that Jihadist groups such as ISIS, Al Qaeda, Hammas and Hezbollah, to name a few, truly represent Islam. (9).
The author then quotes the seven blessings of Shahid (10). These are eternal rewards for dying as an Islamic martyr. (10).
From an Islamic source:
Islam Question and Answer
'Praise be to Allaah.
It was reported in the hadeeth of al-Miqdaam ibn Ma’di Karb that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“The martyr (shaheed) has seven blessings from Allaah: he is forgiven from the moment his blood is first shed; he will be shown his place in Paradise; he will be spared the trial of the grave; and he will be secure on the Day of the Greatest Terror (the Day of Judgement); there will be placed on his head a crown of dignity, one ruby of which is better than this world and all that is in it; he will be married to seventy-two of al-hoor al-‘iyn; and he will be permitted to intercede for seventy of his relatives.”
According to another report, the martyr has six blessings from Allaah. According to other reports (the number is) six, or nine, or ten.
(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, who said it is a hasan hadeeth. Also narrated by Ibn Maajah in al-Sunan, by Ahmad, by ‘Abd al-Razzaaq in al-Musannaf, by al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer, and by Sa’eed ibn Mansoor in al-Sunan). -- Shaykh Waleed al-Firyaan'
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In this book review so far, in balance, I documented that although both orthodox and radical forms of Islam hold to Jihad/Holy War, the orthodox interpretation is that Jihad is for defensive purposes. The Islamic Supreme Council of America states:
'WHAT JIHAD IS'
'The Arabic word "jihad" is often translated as "holy war," but in a purely linguistic sense, the word " jihad" means struggling or striving.' 'In a religious sense, as described by the Quran and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (s), "jihad" has many meanings. It can refer to internal as well as external efforts to be a good Muslims or believer, as well as working to inform people about the faith of Islam.'
'If military jihad is required to protect the faith against others, it can be performed using anything from legal, diplomatic and economic to political means. If there is no peaceful alternative, Islam also allows the use of force, but there are strict rules of engagement. Innocents - such as women, children, or invalids - must never be harmed, and any peaceful overtures from the enemy must be accepted. Military action is therefore only one means of jihad, and is very rare.'
Comparing the hadeeth of al-Miqdaam ibn Ma’di Karb text to the explanation from the Islamic Supreme Council of America; I will take the Islamic Supreme Council of America at their word that Jihad is primarily defensive. In other words, that is their scholarly interpretation.
I am going to attempt to not judge motives.
Mr. Wallace points out that this section (the hadeeth of al-Miqdaam ibn Ma’di Karb from my Islamic source) is not in the Qur'an, which is assumed to be the words of Allah (11), whereas this section is in the Sunnah and is the words and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad. (11). Both are considered Scripture in Islam. (11). Both are used in determining Islamic law/Sharia. (11).
The state/religion context of Islam is problematic. The original intent of the hadeeth of al-Miqdaam ibn Ma’di Karb text may have been more aggressively militaristic, as in implying that the Muslim needed (needs) to be willing to be a martyr because dying for the state, in a military conflict equates to dying for Allah and the Prophet. Because Jihad exists in a state/religion context, it could also be interpreted that there are very significant eternal rewards for aggressive martyrdom (as opposed to passive martyrdom).
