Back to basics!

Submitted by Imad (United States), Apr 1, 2003 at 17:53

I think Daniel Pipes' definition of Jihad " the legal, compulsory, communal effort to expand the territories ruled by Muslims at the expense of territories ruled by non-Muslims," is a most accurate and concise definition.

Those who want to know the true meaning of Jihad should not be fooled by the Muslim apologists of modern times. To understand the expansionist nature of Islam they only have to go back to basics and study the earliest days of the expansion of the Muslim Empire back in the seventh century. Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Persia, Egypt and Pentapolis were all invaded and conquered with only one objective: exploitation of the material wealth of these countries. None of these countries threatened the Medinite State in Hijaz. An argument that Jihad is defensive rather than offensive is absolutely false.

The only time traditional Muslims cease to expand is when their power is checked by an overwhelming power. Does Europe need to be reminded of that?

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".