There is an interesting debate as to whether or not OBL is a legitimate Muslims. I think he certainly is. I mean, his ideas are a little unorthodox (and I stress the "little") in my judgment, but overall he represents a good traditional Islamic world view. Here is some recent news regarding a video clip featuring him where he bases the entire of idea of martyrdom on the example of Muhammad. When he can do this successfully and so easily it is hard to see how you can say that OBL is not operating within the parameters of orthodox Islam:
In today's video message, Osama Bin Laden stresses the importance of martyrdom for Muslim causes, quoting Muhammad per translations by both Laura Mansfield and CNN:
"So be alert, be wise and think. What is this status that the best of mankind wished for himself? He wished to be a martyr."
"He himself said 'By Him in Whose Hands my life is! I would love to attack and be martyred, then attack again and be martyred, then attack again and be martyred.' "
"So this whole broad life is summarized by he who was inspired by God, the lord of the heavens and earth, praised and exalted is He. This glorious prophet who was inspired by God summarized this entire life by these words. He wished upon himself this status. Happy is the one who was chosen by god as a martyr. "
Osama Bin Laden quotes Muhammad based on Hadeeth Sunnah Sahih Bukhari, Book 52. Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad), specifically in Volume 4, Book 52, Number 54. Sahih Bukhari is a collection of sayings and deeds of Muhammad, also known as the sunnah. The specific reference states: "By Him in Whose Hands my life is! Were it not for some men amongst the believers who dislike to be left behind me and whom I cannot provide with means of conveyance, I would certainly never remain behind any Sariya' (army-unit) setting out in Allah's Cause. By Him in Whose Hands my life is! I would love to be martyred in Allah's Cause and then get resurrected and then get martyred, and then get resurrected again and then get martyred and then get resurrected again and then get martyred."
From Here.
3 comments:
That's a lot of martyrdom and resurrection - a very loose reading of that passage one could say sounds 'reincarnation-isque'...lol.
I would say Osama is a little to right wing to be a Muslim - cause it does not seem like he is submitting to a God of love - but one of retribution and anger - which makes me think his theology has to be off kilter...but again it is interesting food for thought.
The concept of "God of love" is Christian and is not central to the Islamic tradition.
The novelty or fitna in OBL's position, I think, is that he uses takfiir, or excommunication, way too loosely and without accountability.
There is also the central debate regarding if suicide bombing is permissable or not. That is an important debate, though I think most Muslims would say that suicide bombings CAN be used lawfully in jihad.
alQaeda claims to be of Wahabi Islam, and Wahabi Islam says they will all go to hell. We call alQaeda (Khawarij) meaning with bad ideas that make them kill others ie they go to hell. alQaeda forbids it's members to talk about religion with those outside their cult, especialy those of their own secretive sects. This makes it simple to "turn" their members becuase they use weak and wrong theology and information.
As for the Hadeeth, let me compare it with this:
"I regret that I have but one life to give to my country", patriot Nathan Hale
Nathan Hale thought "his country" is more importan than the God who gave him that life, and sacrificed his life as an offering to his country not his God, it is God's land not his. alQaeda is based on patriotic thoughts and ideals much like Nathan's that are far removed from anything Islamic. Nathan had the excuse of not knowing Islam, alQaeda is worst for they do know but chose to hide and ignore it.
Back to the Hadeeth, if a Muslim fights to prove bravery, honor, love of nation, etc - they will go to hell in their own theology. The only safe way it is permited is to do so for God alone. Cain and Able as an example - Able refused to fight and kill Cain even to defend himself becuase there was no reason or cause worth murder and God did not wish it. Able died for loveing God enough to listen and obey.
At that level I read the Hadeeth as Good - for when a person dies in war he will be judged by God, those Muslims that forget this go to hell.
>>The concept of "God of love" is
>>Christian and is not central to
>> the Islamic tradition
You really belive that about Islam or any other religon? The concept is called Taqwa - the whole Quran can be sumerized in just that one word.
alQaeda is more CIA than Islam, even the name is not Islamic it is based on science fiction novels. No Muslim parent wants his kids close to alQaeda or their ways for they are anti-Islamic, the young men have to be fooled into it by special "handlers" espeicaly in Iraq.
alQaeda has a long hit list, it is my wish to be top of that hit list or close to it - it is my duty as a Muslim and I would wish to do it again each time they killed me - to please God alone. That is what the Hadeeth teaches me. Nathan Hale should have said that as he was protecting the natives from his own people, it is what God asks from alQaeda but they do not care to listen.
Peace
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