The Jihad Trap :: September 11 Terrorism Essays

The Jihad Trap The contend the States is engaged in after the attacks on the WTC, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania is a state of war for the hearts and minds of average Muslims around the world. Bin Laden, if indeed he is the orchestrate behind the attacks, has set a trap for the US into which it essential non fall. By attacking the US as part of a international jihad (a holy war), Bin Laden is in situation claiming to Muslims to represent their grievances and to represent real Islam. He is in effect motto Muslims, I share your grievances unlike your corrupt and authoritarian governments I am the only one doing something about it. I have destroyed the symbols of Ameri tolerate capitalism and stopped the heartbeat of world finance which the US dominates. The US, as well as moderate Muslims the world over, must unite and traverse him this symbolic victory and must not accept to engage him in combat on these terms. We should not let him define the terms of our happy and symbolic battle. As a professor of Islamic law I have researched the law of jihad and can state unequivocally that the war Bin Laden has engaged us in cannot be label a jihad. Furthermore, I believe a strong case can be made that he has acted contrary to the tenets of Islam and can be ostracized from the community of believing Muslims. Moderate Muslims will agree with me, certainly, as they are horror-struck by this attack and are desperate to have it disassociated from their religion. The West must provide moderate Muslims a way out of Bin Ladens trap. jibe to Islamic law there are at least hexad reasons why Bin Ladens barbaric violence cannot fall under the gloss of jihad 1. Individuals and organizations cannot declare a jihad, only states can 2. One cannot kill innocent women and children when conducting a jihad 3. One cannot kill Muslims in a jihad 4. One cannot fight a jihad against a estate in which Muslims can freely practice their religion and proselytize Islam 5. grown M uslim jurists around the world have condemned these attacks and their condemnation forms a juristic consensus (ijma) against Bin Ladens actions. This consensus renders his actions un-Islamic 6. The welfare and interest of the Muslim community (maslaha) is being harmed by Bin Ladens actions and this equally makes them un-Islamic.