Islam and Liberty

The book review continues:

WALLACE TOM Jr. (2015) Refuting Islam, The Christian Patriots Guide to Exposing the Evils of Islam, Bellingham, Fundamental Publishers.

In Chapter 15 Islam is Anti-American, Mr. Wallace explains that Islam is submission to Allah and that the Muslim is to surrender. (113). The author reasons this is contrasted to American values of liberty. (113).

He opines that Islam cannot rule the world within a democratic system (113), and therefore democratic systems must be eliminated for Islam to rule. (113).

I will opine that where those within Islam, become part of a Western culture and submit to government authorities, then more moderate views and approaches within Islam can work within a Western nation and democratic political system.

In this book review so far, 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: Islamic Supreme Council of America:

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.'


To highlight this point, the Prophet Mohammed told his followers returning from a military campaign: "This day we have returned from the minor jihad to the major jihad," which he said meant returning from armed battle to the peaceful battle for self-control and betterment. In case military action appears necessary, not everyone can declare jihad. The religious military campaign has to be declared by a proper authority, advised by scholars, who say the religion and people are under threat and violence is imperative to defend them. The concept of "just war" is very important. The concept of jihad has been hijacked by many political and religious groups over the ages in a bid to justify various forms of violence. In most cases, Islamic splinter groups invoked jihad to fight against the established Islamic order. Scholars say this misuse of jihad contradicts Islam. Examples of sanctioned military jihad include the Muslims' defensive battles against the Crusaders in medieval times, and before that some responses by Muslims against Byzantine and Persian attacks during the period of the early Islamic conquests. 

WHAT JIHAD IS NOT 

Jihad is not a violent concept. Jihad is not a declaration of war against other religions. It is worth noting that the Koran specifically refers to Jews and Christians as "people of the book" who should be protected and respected. All three faiths worship the same God. Allah is just the Arabic word for God, and is used by Christian Arabs as well as Muslims. Military action in the name of Islam has not been common in the history of Islam. Scholars says most calls for violent jihad are not sanctioned by Islam. Warfare in the name of God is not unique to Islam. Other faiths throughout the world have waged wars with religious justifications.

In regard to Jihad/Holy War from World Religions textbooks. Nigosian writes that this is 'combativeness'...or rather being engaged in combat against 'pagans' or opponents is called jihad, meaning holy war. (448). The goal is not primarily religious, as in conversion, but the goal is political control over societies. (448). In order to rule with the principles of Islam, in other words, Islamic law. Nigosian's definition allows for defensive Jihad, but also a more aggressive form of Jihad could also be interpreted here. To rule other societies by Islamic law is certainly beyond defensive Jihad.

Lewis M. Hopfe admits that one of the most controversial aspects of Islam is 'Jihad' (Holy War). Hopfe (1987: 419). Pagans he writes may have been forced to convert but Jews and Christians and others were free to worship and they chose. Hopfe (1987: 419). It is admitted by Hopfe that there is a Muslim doctrine that one must do battle for God. Hopfe (1987: 419). Hopfe's definition too could view Jihad as defensive, but also it aggressively protects the interests of the religion through military force. Force and coercion is beyond the scope of defensive Jihad.

I reason that because of this very faulty State/Religion government model, Jihad/Holy War can easily be at times interpreted and implemented with varied degrees of force and coercion. This has been done throughout the history of Islam. Critics have pointed out that much of the Qur'an has open-ended verses in regard to Jihad meaning that they are not necessarily restrained to an historical context. Radical forms of Jihad and aggressive martyrdom could be conceivably reasonably interpreted within today's Islam, for today's world. Mr. Wallace does have some reasonable concerns...

It can be reasoned that forms of Islam, Quranic Islam in context, and also those citing the Sunnah, that interpret Jihad/Holy War and martyrdom in a politically and theologically aggressive manner are indeed enemies of Western society. This based on radical Islamic worldviews which are against Western democratic society, the Christian Church, and other opposing worldviews, including those within Islam that show some significant moderation. This type of Islam violently opposes any and all opposing worldviews. This type of Islam would oppose American and Western views in regard to liberty and freedom.

HOPFE, LEWIS M. (1991) Religions of the World, New York, Macmillan Publishing Company. 

NIGOSIAN, S.A. (1994) World Faiths, New York, St. Martin’s Press.

WALLACE TOM Jr. (2015) Refuting Islam, The Christian Patriots Guide to Exposing the Evils of Islam, Bellingham, Fundamental Publishers.