Much less controversial, however, is the general rule that various categories of civilians must not be targeted. This rule of civilian immunity is so widely accepted that it is even typically recognized by violent Muslim radicals.
But such radicals also invoke loopholes to get around this rule. To justify this loophole, bin Laden invoked the writings of medieval Muslim scholars such as al-Qurtubi. As I show in a recent book , however, al-Qurtubi actually held the exact opposite view: Civilians should never be targeted as a form of retribution.
Many jihadist groups seek to establish Islamic states in their respective countries of origin, such as Boko Haram in Nigeria and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.
Other groups want to establish a "caliphate" - governed in accordance with Sharia by God's deputy on Earth khalifa, or caliph - that extends across regions. Some, like al-Qaeda, want to re-establish the caliphate that once stretched from Spain and North Africa to China and India.
Its leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has vowed to "liberate all occupied Muslim lands and reject each and every international treaty, agreement and resolution which gives the infidels the right to seize Muslim lands", including historic Palestine, Chechnya and Kashmir.
IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi also wants to "demolish" the borders established by the Sykes-Picot Agreement, but his group has already acted on this by declaring the creation of a caliphate that stretches across eastern Syria and western Iraq. Al-Qaeda and IS also differ in their approaches to establishing Islamic rule.
Al-Qaeda's has been more long-term, while IS has immediately sought to implement Sharia in its territories. What's the appeal of a caliphate? While there are militant Shia Islamist groups that are jihadist in nature, they differ in many regards to Sunni groups. According to Shia tradition, mujtahids - the most senior religious scholars - have the authority to declare a "defensive" jihad. But only the 12th or "hidden" Imam - who Shia believe did not die when he disappeared 1, years ago - can declare an "offensive" jihad.
For centuries, most Shia clerics advocated political quietism while they awaited the Imam's return. But that outlook changed in the s and s, giving rise to the activism that culminated in the revolution in Iran and the establishment of the Islamic Republic. In recent years, the sectarian nature of the conflict in Syria has seen Iranian-backed Shia groups come to the aid of forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, a member of the heterodox Shia Alawite sect.
The groups and their thousands of "volunteer" fighters - from Iraq, Iran, Lebanon and Yemen - say they are in Syria to defend the key Shia shrine of Sayyida Zaineb in Damascus. Lebanon's Hezbollah movement has described members killed in Syria as martyrs who died "while performing jihadist duties".
Similarly, the advance of IS across Iraq in saw the mass mobilisation of Shia militia to defend holy sites. Image source, AP. What does jihad mean? What is the difference between jihadists and Islamists? Al-Shabab is battling the government in Somalia and is linked to a string of attacks in neighbouring Kenya.
Do all jihadists want the same thing? Image source, AFP. The late Doku Umarov proclaimed the creation of the Caucasus Emirate in Changing the social and political organisation of the state. Taking part in Muslim community activities. Working for social justice. Forgiving someone who has hurt them. However the quotation has been very influential among some Muslims, particularly Sufis. Holy war Holy war When Muslims, or their faith or territory are under attack, Islam permits some say directs the believer to wage military war to protect them.
However Islamic shariah law sets very strict rules for the conduct of such a war. In recent years the most common meaning of Jihad has been Holy War. And there is a long tradition of Jihad being used to mean a military struggle to benefit Islam.
What can justify Jihad? Permissable reasons for military Jihad : Self-defence Strengthening Islam Protecting the freedom of Muslims to practise their faith Protecting Muslims against oppression, which could include overthrowing a tyrannical ruler Punishing an enemy who breaks an oath Putting right a wrong What a Jihad is not A war is not a Jihad if the intention is to: Force people to convert to Islam Conquer other nations to colonise them Take territory for economic gain Settle disputes Demonstrate a leader's power Although the Prophet engaged in military action on a number of occasions, these were battles to survive, rather than conquest, and took place at a time when fighting between tribes was common.
The opponent must always have started the fighting. It must not be fought to gain territory. It must be launched by a religious leader. It must be fought to bring about good - something that Allah will approve of. Every other way of solving the problem must be tried before resorting to war. Innocent people should not be killed. Women, children, or old people should not be killed or hurt. Women must not be raped. Enemies must be treated with justice. Wounded enemy soldiers must be treated in exactly the same way as one's own soldiers.
The war must stop as soon as the enemy asks for peace. Property must not be damaged. Poisoning wells is forbidden. The modern analogy would be chemical or biological warfare.
The Qur'an on Jihad The Qur'an has many passages about fighting.
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