Martyr Ideology

In a previous video interview with we discussed the phenomenon of human sacrifice in Islam as pertaining to the inclination of HAMAS and other Islamist groups (both Shi’a and Sunni) to deliberately put children and other civilians in harms way during wartime, and explained that justification by quoting Islamic jurisprudence (al-Masri, ‘umdat as-Salik pp. 583-584).

Then, we showed the pre-Islamic origins of that theology by tying it back to the ancient Canaanite/Phoenician/Carthaginian practices of sacrificing their infants to their deities during times of war.

Thus, it seems appropriate to make the obvious connection of that tradition of human sacrifice on behalf of deity to the modern jihadi compulsion to blow themselves up on behalf of deity.

The following Qur’an verses will help bring that to light:

“Do not imagine that those who are killed on behalf of Allah are dead, rather they are alive at their Lord’s side and they are provided with provisions” (Qur’an 3:169).

“And, if we had decreed for them:  Lay down your lives or go forth from your dwellings, but few of them would have done it; though if they did what they are exhorted to do it would be better for them, and more strengthening” (Qur’an 4:66).

“Verily, the life of this world is nothing but a game and an entertainment.  Far better is the hereafter for those who keep their duty to Allah.  Do you not understand?” (Qur’an 6:32).

“Those who believe, and have migrated (haajirou) and performed jihad on behalf of Allah with their wealth and their lives, they have attained the highest degree at the side of Allah, and those are the victorious ones” (Qur’an 9:20).

“Among the believers are those men who have been true to their oath to Allah and among them are those who have paid their vow by death (in battle), and among them are those who are still waiting and they have not altered in the least” (Qur’an 33:23).

“Those who believe say ‘if only a surah was revealed’ (regarding battle), but when a decisive surah was revealed in which battle was mentioned you saw those in whose hearts was sickness look at you with the look of men fainting out of the fear of death, which would be more suitable for them” (Qur’an 47:20).

These are only a few examples of the many unabrogated verses in the Qur’an which define Islam as both a warrior cult and a death cult.  Inspired by these verses Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s chief general and the first Caliph, is alleged to have said this to the Persians:

“You should know that I have come to you with an army of men that love death, as you love life.”

This “we love death as you love life” has become not only a common saying among jihadis, but an abiding principle.

Now, keeping all of these Qur’an verses, and Abu bakr’s boasting in mind, we can clearly see foundation for the motto of the modern day Muslim Brotherhood:

“God is our goal, the messenger (Muhammad) is our leader, the Qur’an is our constitution, Jihad is our way, and death on behalf of Allah is the loftiest of our desires.”

All prospective members of the Muslim Brotherhood must swear that oath to become a member.  All Sunni terrorist groups from ansaar ash-shari’a to ISIS and al-Qaeda are essentially offshoots of the Brotherhood, and they too use the same oath to welcome members into their group.

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