In all honesty, the prospects for a world without terrorism do seem very dim. Without uniforms and borders, the terrorists are a hard target to hit. The so-called "civilized" nations of the earth have thus far been unable to destroy ISIS; in fact, one could make a convincing argument that the errant foreign policy of the United States led to the rise of ISIS in the first place, and continues to foster its growth right up to the present time. In addition, the willingness - even eagerness - of members of ISIS to die for its cause, makes it a formidable opponent.
Based on these facts, it seems unlikely that any conventional military force could ever conquer the Islamic State. Does this mean that we'll just have to learn to live with radical Islamic terrorism, or worse yet, prepare to die at its sword-wielding hand? Is all hope lost? Short of Divine intervention, I can only see one way out of this otherwise hopeless situation . . . and it comes from a source that may surprise you.
ISIS loves to kill, and matters such as religion, race, nationality, and social status make no difference. If you're breathing, you're a potential target. But ISIS seems to get a special thrill from killing other Muslims - particularly those who just want to live and let live. And I propose that it's these same Muslims (the so-called 'peaceful Muslims') who alone can defeat ISIS. And, as Christians like to say, I have scripture for that - directly from the Muslim holy book itself.
In Surah (chapter) 49 of the Holy Qur'an, verse 9, the following admonition is given:
Based on these facts, it seems unlikely that any conventional military force could ever conquer the Islamic State. Does this mean that we'll just have to learn to live with radical Islamic terrorism, or worse yet, prepare to die at its sword-wielding hand? Is all hope lost? Short of Divine intervention, I can only see one way out of this otherwise hopeless situation . . . and it comes from a source that may surprise you.
ISIS loves to kill, and matters such as religion, race, nationality, and social status make no difference. If you're breathing, you're a potential target. But ISIS seems to get a special thrill from killing other Muslims - particularly those who just want to live and let live. And I propose that it's these same Muslims (the so-called 'peaceful Muslims') who alone can defeat ISIS. And, as Christians like to say, I have scripture for that - directly from the Muslim holy book itself.
In Surah (chapter) 49 of the Holy Qur'an, verse 9, the following admonition is given:
And if two parties of the believers quarrel, make peace between them. Then if one of them does wrong to the other, fight that which does wrong, till it return to Allah's command. Then if it returns, make peace between them with justice and equity. Surely Allah loves the equitable.
Muslims believe that the words of the Qur'an are the words of Allah Himself; therefore, Allah says that if one group of believers (Muslims) does wrong to another group of believers (fellow-Muslims), those who are wronged must fight their aggressors until peace is achieved, or until the aggressors are defeated. Can any reasonable person deny that many Muslims have been wronged by radical Islamic terrorism? They've been taken captive, tortured, raped, and murdered by proponents of the Islamic State, and many of their mosques have been destroyed. In the above-quoted verse, such Muslims not only have the right, but also the responsibility, to fight their oppressors.
How likely is it that such peace-loving Muslims would be willing to go to war against ISIS? After all, peaceful people by definition have an aversion to violence. Once again, the Qur'an has something to say about it. Surah 2, verse 216, is blunt:
Fighting is enjoined on you, though it is disliked by you; and it may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing while it is evil for you; and Allah knows while you know not.
According to this verse, one's aversion to violence needs to be subordinated to one's hatred of evil. To refuse to fight against evil is itself evil - perhaps an even greater evil.
In a Hadith (a collection of sayings of the Prophet), Muhammad once said, 'Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is oppressed.' One of his followers, a man named Anas, was puzzled by Muhammad's remark. 'O Allah's Messenger! It is right that I help him if he is oppressed, but how should I help him if he is an oppressor?' Muhammad replied, 'By preventing him from oppressing others; this is how you help him in this case.' Muhammad's words show that Muslims themselves are the best antidote to evil acts committed by their fellow-Muslims; in other words, he taught that Muslims have a responsibility to ensure that evil is never tolerated in their own community.
For the most part, Muslims have failed miserably in this respect. Whenever Islamic terrorists strike, the question is asked, 'Why don't the good Muslims speak out?' In fairness, some do, but their voices are few and their words are often too softly-spoken. Their reluctance to fight verbally makes it highly improbable that they would ever be willing to fight physically. Maybe this is where Divine intervention comes in. While the nations of the world must continue in their efforts to destroy the Islamic State, I propose that the world's best hope of defeating ISIS lies with peace-loving Muslims . . . Muslims who love peace so much that they're willing to fight fire with fire; Muslims who love peace so much that they're willing to rise up and kill the terrorists wherever they find them.
Muslims believe that the words of the Qur'an are the words of Allah Himself; therefore, Allah says that if one group of believers (Muslims) does wrong to another group of believers (fellow-Muslims), those who are wronged must fight their aggressors until peace is achieved, or until the aggressors are defeated. Can any reasonable person deny that many Muslims have been wronged by radical Islamic terrorism? They've been taken captive, tortured, raped, and murdered by proponents of the Islamic State, and many of their mosques have been destroyed. In the above-quoted verse, such Muslims not only have the right, but also the responsibility, to fight their oppressors.
How likely is it that such peace-loving Muslims would be willing to go to war against ISIS? After all, peaceful people by definition have an aversion to violence. Once again, the Qur'an has something to say about it. Surah 2, verse 216, is blunt:
Fighting is enjoined on you, though it is disliked by you; and it may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing while it is evil for you; and Allah knows while you know not.
According to this verse, one's aversion to violence needs to be subordinated to one's hatred of evil. To refuse to fight against evil is itself evil - perhaps an even greater evil.
In a Hadith (a collection of sayings of the Prophet), Muhammad once said, 'Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is oppressed.' One of his followers, a man named Anas, was puzzled by Muhammad's remark. 'O Allah's Messenger! It is right that I help him if he is oppressed, but how should I help him if he is an oppressor?' Muhammad replied, 'By preventing him from oppressing others; this is how you help him in this case.' Muhammad's words show that Muslims themselves are the best antidote to evil acts committed by their fellow-Muslims; in other words, he taught that Muslims have a responsibility to ensure that evil is never tolerated in their own community.
For the most part, Muslims have failed miserably in this respect. Whenever Islamic terrorists strike, the question is asked, 'Why don't the good Muslims speak out?' In fairness, some do, but their voices are few and their words are often too softly-spoken. Their reluctance to fight verbally makes it highly improbable that they would ever be willing to fight physically. Maybe this is where Divine intervention comes in. While the nations of the world must continue in their efforts to destroy the Islamic State, I propose that the world's best hope of defeating ISIS lies with peace-loving Muslims . . . Muslims who love peace so much that they're willing to fight fire with fire; Muslims who love peace so much that they're willing to rise up and kill the terrorists wherever they find them.
