ISLAM SUBMISSION: an Understanding?

ISLAM – SUBMISSION: An Understanding?

To better understand Islamic jihadist’s motivations and actions, their religion must be understood from its world view and teachings. Those Muslims who practice moderate Islam are not a great concern. However, it should be remembered that there has never been a reformation in Islam. If only 20 percent of the one billion plus Muslims in the world, practice active jihad as taught in the Koran and Hadith, that would be two million jihadists.

There are several concepts, which must be commonly defined and understood; may not be politically correct; and are in contravention of what is generally publicized about Islam. First jihadists are not radical, fascist, or extremist. Jihadists emulate and practice the orthodoxy of Islam as conceived and dictated by Muhammad – jihad is a religious duty. Second, according to Muslims, Islam is a complete and completed religion. No other guidance, religion, or government is required. Third are the applications of the abrogation of previous pronouncements and the allegorical decision making process.

The terms as used above are applied by western governments so as not to directly attack Islam and shift the blame away from the religion and onto individuals for political and diplomatic purposes. However, it is imperative to understand Islam from its true orthodox doctrine. Critical theological guidance is derived from two sources the Koran and Hadith. Both the Koran and Hadith are equally important and should never be separate. The Koran is considered the text and Hadith the context in which the Koran was given. The Hadith or the prophetic Sunna is the actions and sayings (traditions) of Muhammad. Since, according to Muhammad, Muhammad was the last prophet chosen, his actions and sayings were the perfect example of how to live life as a true believer in fear of Allah. And as some hadith proclaim as a slave in the service of Allah.

The Koran contains 114 Sura (chapters), is constructed from the thickest to the thinnest except for the first Sura and is therefore not in chronological order. This lack of chronology and abrogation is critical in understanding Islamic perception management and the validity or nullification of a given Sura verse. Based on Noldeke’s research and assessments, there are two periods of Koranic writings Meccan and Medinan. The Meccan period is further divided into early, middle, and late Meccan periods. However, it is assessed only the Medinan Suras may have some correlation with actual historical external events. Also, it is generally accepted that the 5th and 9th Suras were likely the last two written and the 9th may actually be incomplete. According to Muslims, the Koran is the word of God and if there are differences between the Bible and Koran, it is because the Muslims have it right and the Jews and Christians have it wrong. All prophets before Muhammad had received the true message, but it was corrupted by the Jews and Christians, therefore Muhammad set it straight – it is the final word.

The Koran (Sura 4:157-167) categorically rejects Jesus as the son of God, denies the Crucifixion, and the Ascension. “There shall not be one of the people of the Book but shall believe in Him before his death, and in day of resurrection, He will be a witness against them. . . . .Verily, those who believe not, and act wrongfully, God will never pardon, and never will he guide them on path, than the path to Hell, in which they shall abide forever.” In plane language, these verses indicate on the day of judgment Jesus will attain His resurrection and bear witness against the Christians as they are sent to hell. Sura Five goes on to say in 5:19, “Infidels now are they who say, ‘Verily God is the Messiah Ibn Maryam (son of Mary)! SAY: And who could aught obtain from God, if he chose to destroy the Messiah Ibn Maryam, and his mother, and all who are on earth.” For those who choose to believe in the “People of the Book” concept, Sura 9:29 abrogates this misconception with “Make war upon such of those to whom the Scriptures have been given as believe not in God . . . .”. Much of Islamic Law is founded in and based on these last two Suras due to abrogation.

The hadith were compiled following Muhammad’s death. Most of them were derived from 418 of his companions and their sons; however, many also come from his youngest wife Aiesha. Of the numerous authors of Hadith, but there are five primarily accepted authors of the hadith the top two are Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim. The Korean and Hadith are mutually supporting.

Both the Koran and Hadith contain extensive verses on Jihad indicating the true fatalistic nature of Islam. For those who may unknowingly speak of the peaceful nature of Islam or attempt to minimize Islam’s true nature, I leave the following Hadith verses. Jihad for the spread of Islam is most meritorious and easiest gateway to Paradise. Muhammad told his companions “Paradise is under the shadows of the swords.” (Hadith listing 4314). Muhammad said “’I love to fight in the way of Allah and be killed, to fight and again be killed and to fight again and be killed” (4626). The verses of dying in the glory of Allah are numerous. This was but a small sampling to remind on of the superiority of Jihad and to dye for or in the name of Allah is a great religious duty. What is termed as a suicide bomber is actually the bartering of this life on earth for the reward of life in Paradise with Allah.