Islam at War: A History

ISLAM AND JIHAD 219

indicate that they are subject to the fate of those who accept and then
abandon Islam, that is, death. Clearly this indicates that the Muslim world
today is not a monolithic organism.
In the case of Iran, one can legitimately say that they surely have the
right to self-defense, and verses can be found in the Koran to support that
right. However, the later Iraqi invasion of Kuwait for the sole purpose of
despoiling it of its riches, plus the murder and rapine practiced by the
Iraqi soldiers against men, women, and children, violates Surah III, 94.
However, under normal circumstances the fundamental target of the
jihad is conflict with idolaters and non-Muslims of every kind, including
what Muhammad describes as “people of the Scripture”—Christians,
Jews, and Zoroastrians. The Koran includes frequent references to the
Jews as having broken their covenant with Allah. Frequent references that
damn the Jews also generally appear in the Koran after Muhammad had
some problems with various Jewish communities. Much of this comes
from the Hebrew tribes who shifted their alliances away from Muhammad
after his defeat at Mt. Uhud. In a second major incident the Hebrews
turned on Muhammad during the siege of Medina and openly sent forces
to join those fighting against him.
The question now comes to how these non-Muslims are treated within
the context of the jihad. The answer is that terror and brutality are appro-
priate. The Koran makes numerous references to this issue:

Surah III, 151.We shall cast terror into of those who disbelieve[italics

added] because they ascribe unto Allah partners, for which no warrant hast

been revealed. Their habitation is the fire, and hapless the abode of the

wrong-doers.

Surah XXI, 98. Lo!Ye (Idolaters) and that which ye worship besides Allah

are fuel of hell. Thereunto ye will come[italics added].

99. If these had been Allah’s they would not have come thither, but all
    will abide therein.
    100.Therein wailing is their [the nonbelievers] portion[italics added],
    and therein they hear not.


100. Lo! Those unto whom kindness hath gone forth before from Us,
     they will be far removed from thence.


101. They will not hear the slightest sound thereof, while they abide in
     that which their souls desire.
     103.The Supreme Horror [Terror] will not grieve them[italics added],
     and the angels will welcome them, (saying): This is your Day which ye
     were promised;