Study Questions and Homework Assignment
for Koran,
and Sura IV (due week 11 or 12)
Sura II: Al Baqara -The Cow, due 11/06/02
How Holy is Bin
Laden's Holy War?
o 1)
Read the Interview with Bin Laden from 1998
o Do some internet research
about the concept of Jihad, which is very often translated with Holy War. What
sources do you find, how do these sources define or explain jihad?
o How does the Koran explain
Jihad, what position is advocated in terms of violence, war, and self defense?
To help you with this question, review the following passages in Sura 2 on
Jihad: most selected
by Prof. Khondker, Clarkson University
·
Sura
2: 190:
o
"Fight
in the Cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits, for
Allah loveth not transgressors."
Not transgressing the limits means not to kill women and children, for
the Messenger of Allah "forbade the killing of women and children"
(Prophet Muhammed, Reported by Bukhari - Engl Transl, Vol 4, p. 160, No 258).
Not transgressing the limits means that the elderly, the sick, monks,
worshippers and hired labors are not attacked. Not transgressing the limits
means not killing animals wantonly, burning crops and vegetation, polluting
waters and destroying homes, monasteries, churches and synagogues.
·
Sura
2: 217 Fighting during Ramadan
·
Section
2: 32 on Fighting in Defense of Truth and Right
·
Sura
2: 243
·
Sura
2: 214-216
·
Sura
2: 256
o
"There is no compulsion in religion. The right path has indeed
become distinct from the wrong. So whoever rejects false worship and believes
in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never
break. And Allah is All Hearing, All Knowing."
·
Sura
an-Nisa 4:75:
o
"And what is the matter with you that you do not fight in the cause
of Allah and for those weak, ill treated and oppressed among men, women and
children whose oncly cry is; '"Our Lord, rescue us from this town whose
people are oppressors and raise for us from you one who will protect and raise
for us from you one whou will help."
·
Sura
5:32
o
"If anyone killed a person not in retaliation for murder or to
spread mischief in the land, it would be as if he killed the whole of mankind.
And (likewise) if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the whole of
mankind"
·
Prophet
Mohammed (authentic - reported by At-Tabaranee)
o
"The best jhad is (by) the one who strives against his own self
for Allah, the Mighty and Majestic."
·
Prophet
Mohammed (authentic - reported by Muslim, Eng. Trans., Vol. 1, p. 62, Mo. 203)
o "He who kills himself with anything, Allah will torment him with that in the fire of Hell"
- How does bin Laden justify his war against the
US? Examine the sources below!
1.
Link
to Mir's Interview
with Bin Laden (from DAWN - Pakistan Newspaper)
2.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/binladen/etc/cron.html
Additional Resources:
and other sources from
Frontline’s documentary: Hunting for Bin Laden