Islam extremists,,are they blessed Muslims or cursed Muslims?

format_quote Originally Posted by England

You can't use Iraq as an example. I wouldn't say beheading a charity worker, innocent builders or even Iraqi civilians would be an act of defence.

It can't be defended no matter how one dresses it up - It was barbaric!

Maybe an interesting thing to add here is that we have a different defenition of extreme then in the west. According to the Islamic view, everything that is prescribed by religion is the standard way of living. Following the rules of our creature is following our very nature. So following Islam cannot be extreme by defenition. So extreme is only that which goes beyond the Islamic rules. (for example if a person would fast every day of the year). But an extremist from the western p.o.v. is someone who goes to great extend to follow his religion/ideology (and the standards of what is a great extend might be different according to different people)

So an extremist by the muslim defenition (somebody does more then he is supposed to, and more then he is allowed to) would be cursed, as his extremism is in violation with his belief.
But an extremist according to the western defenition, someone who goes to a great extend to follow his religion would be a blessed person as he tries to do as many good things as he can.

This is why I object to the media referring to terrorists as Muslim extremists. Just cause someone is extreme (from western p.o.v.) does not mean he is a terrorist.

If you would suddenly come to realize that this world is a test and that you are constantly at war with Satan who tries to make you fail. And if you would be convinced that depending on the outcome of this test you would have eternal hell or heaven. I would then not ask you if you would be willing to try follow the rules to beat Satan, since that would be pretty obvious (based on the earlier assumptions of the hypothesis). the real million-dollar-question would be: "how radical are you prepared to be for that cause?

format_quote Originally Posted by England

You can't use Iraq as an example. I wouldn't say beheading a charity worker, innocent builders or even Iraqi civilians would be an act of defence.

Your tune might change if the situation were reversed. If say, England was attacked and they offered money to it's starving citizens for turning in the soldiers (these who turn you in would be... civilians). But that's the old argument.

Here's something new. What makes you so sure the Mujahideen commited every act they are being accused of? I know they had nothing to do with the bombing of the Askyara mosque, and I'm closing in fast on who was responsible for that (like lightening). Also, are you aware of the fact that because the people there are starving and freezing cold or boiling hot, many of them have formed criminal gangs who are only after money? This problem of mistaken identities was actually addressed by the MSC.... or do you not hear out both sides?

You know, I was willing to name these men my enemies. I would have done that - if it weren't for the rediculous number of lies I've found circulating about them. When an administration has to resort to games of deception, their idea of truth can no longer be trusted. At least not by me! I would rather deal with an honest enemy than a lying leader... any day.

Exactly 25 years from now, you'll know more than what the tabloids are telling you.

Ninth Scribe

format_quote Originally Posted by Dawud_uk

you mean a muslim who follows the Quran and example of the prophet Muhammad saws as his only guide and who therefore defends and if necessary destroys another system that is attacking or threatening them constantly and destroys idols like the giant statues in afghanistan?

such a muslim is a good muslim, though Allah knows what is in his heart and whether he is true or just pretending. such a muslim is however following the commands of Allah and his messenger saws so therefore is a good muslim.

Abu Abdullah

I was very sad to see the destruction of the statues. They were not idols, but were historical treasures. I'm sorry the Muslims felt they should be destroyed, but I expect that's exactly what happens when a people feel they are continuously threatened. Everything becomes a threat to them.

I do understand. I had the same reaction when I saw the statue of Suddam Hussein.

Ninth Scribe

format_quote Originally Posted by Ninth_Scribe

I was very sad to see the destruction of the statues. They were not idols, but were historical treasures. I'm sorry the Muslims felt they should be destroyed, but I expect that's exactly what happens when a people feel they are continuously threatened. Everything becomes a threat to them.

I do understand. I had the same reaction when I saw the statue of Suddam Hussein.

Ninth Scribe

The Taliban didn't destroy the statues because they felt "threatened", they destroyed this because of their religious doctrine.

format_quote Originally Posted by Dawud_uk

it is an act of worship to destroy the false idols

So, if given the opportunity, would you destroy the great pyramid at Giza?

Would you destroy the Taj Mahal?

Ninth Scribe

Taj Mahal isnt a false idol...it was built by a Muslim king for his wife.

format_quote Originally Posted by Tayyaba

Taj Mahal isnt a false idol...it was built by a Muslim king for his wife.

It certainly does border on idolatry.

Ninth Scribe

format_quote Originally Posted by Dawud_uk

This is disbelief so to stop it Rasoolullah saws ordered that raised graves be destroyed.

I see. So the shrines in Iraq? These are raised graves, or does this just apply to the cultures that existed before Islam?

Ninth Scribe

format_quote Originally Posted by Dawud_uk

yes those also. it is not the grave within which is destroyed, that is respected as someone's grave but the structure around it is destroyed yes.

We were sitting on one of the walls over-looking the tomb of Ezra. Azrael asked me why this place was holding up my progress (writing). I said: It's because of Zarqawi. I hopped down from the wall and walked toward the structure. If he finds out about this place... what if he blows it up?

Azrael hopped down from the wall and came to my side. He said: Well, then the sun will shine upon the land again. Maybe some flowers will grow there instead. Then he moved closer to me and said: I am not there Sheila. He whispered in my ear while pointing to my heart and said: I am right here.

OK. I suppose it makes sense...

Ninth Scribe

format_quote Originally Posted by Grace Seeker

An extremist, by definition, is one who at the extremes, i.e. outside the norms. If we are talking about a group of people who adhere to a particular faith, then extremists would be people who are outside the norms of their faith.

Rather than asking what people here think of extremists, I would like to ask my Muslim brothers and sisters if they view those who participate in car bombings of marketplaces in Baghdad, suicide bombings of buses in Israel, flying of airplanes into buildings in New York, or kidnapping of journalists in Pakistan as living within the norms and ethical values of Islam?

Terrorism is terrorism. It has no religious affiliation it is a self centered goal. I do not know the motivation of those people you are referring to, however, I can not think of any plausable way they could have been done as an Islamic teaching.