Submitted by Michael(United States), Sep 7, 2006 at 22:03
There is simply no objective way a Muslim can know that he or she will go to Islamic paradise, none. The fact that one is a Muslim and practices the five pillars of Islam is no guarantee, no assurance at all. Muslims believe in a last Judgement and believe in a literal fiery Hell. Muslims have no Savior who did Jihad for them, allowing his own blood (not the blood of other men) to be shed, thereby purifying the guilty sinner. Therefore the responsibiity for his or her eternal destiny is in each Muslims hands.
This is a terrifying realization to any reasonable individual. This is the driver for jihad. Jihad being the one escape from divine judgement. Jihad being the only action that will purify young dissolute Muslim men from their the multitude of their transgressions. This is why so many shahids live immoral, un-Muslim and impious lives shortly before they blow themselves up along with innocent men women and children. With respect, you are either naive or disingenuous regarding the motivation for Muslim self-destruction while engaged in the act of mass murder, euphemistically styled holy war.
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