D. Jihad is an Arabic word which means "to struggle". Although a Jihad can be a "Holy War", Muhammad taught that the greatest Jihad is the inner Jihad. The struggle within yourselves to keep ourselves from doing sinful acts or following the commandments. I am waging Jihad right now with this email. The last legitimate Jihad/Holy War was when the USSR invaded Afghanistan in the 80's. This is a war where the United States actually supported the Afghans. This is where Osama Bin Laden actually came to his fame as he spent much of his wealth in the cause and compiled a database of fighters which would later become the first "Al Qaeda" and evolve into the group we know of today. 

Surah 25
52. Therefore listen not to the Unbelievers, but strive against them with the utmost strenuousness, with the (Qur'an).

E. The Qur'an is very clear about the conditions for fighting infidels, non-Believers, Unbelievers, or Kaafirs. Below are a sample. Only someone who is oppressive would have a problem with the commandments to fight. If you die fighting in a cause to end oppression, persecution, etc. (God's cause), you go to heaven because you sacrificed the most valuable thing you have......your life.

Surah 22 
39. To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged;- and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid;-
40. (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, "our Lord is Allah". Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his (cause);- for verily Allah is full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).

Surah 2

190. Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.
191. And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have Turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.
192. But if they cease, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
193. And fight them on until there is no more Tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, Let there be no hostility except to those who practise oppression.

Surah 4

74. Let those fight in the cause of Allah Who sell the life of this world for the hereafter. To him who fighteth in the cause of Allah,- whether he is slain or gets victory - Soon shall We give him a reward of great (value).
75. And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)?- Men, women, and children, whose cry is: "Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will help!"
76. Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who reject Faith Fight in the cause of Evil: So fight ye against the friends of Satan: feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan.

 Surah 9

12. But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and taunt you for your Faith,- fight ye the chiefs of Unfaith: for their oaths are nothing to them: that thus they may be restrained.
13. Will ye not fight people who violated their oaths, plotted to expel the Messenger, and took the aggressive by being the first (to assault) you? Do ye fear them? Nay, it is Allah Whom ye should more justly fear, if ye believe!
14. Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of Believers,
15. And still the indignation of their hearts. For Allah will turn (in mercy) to whom He will; and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

Surah 42

39. And those who, when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) help and defend themselves.

40. The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) loveth not those who do wrong.

41. But indeed if any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them, against such there is no cause of blame.
42. The blame is only against those who oppress men and wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a penalty grievous.
43. But indeed if any show patience and forgive, that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs.

I would seriously consider the honesty of Rick Mathes. Although he could argue this is what this Imam told him, I just find it hard to believe. Oh, here's the passage I was talking about at breakfast on Saturday. Mr. Ricks and Mr. Demagnus may be interested to see it as they discuss "ego". I always found this passage interesting as you could argue the first sin was actually racism.

Surah 15

26. We created man from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape;
27. And the Jinn race, We had created before, from the fire of a scorching wind.
28. Behold! thy Lord said to the angels: "I am about to create man, from sounding clay from mud moulded into shape;
29. "When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him."
30. So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together:
31. Not so Iblis: he refused to be among those who prostrated themselves.
32. (Allah) said: "O Iblis! what is your reason for not being among those who prostrated themselves?"
33. (Iblis) said: "I am not one to prostrate myself to man, whom Thou didst create from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape."
34. (Allah) said: "Then get thee out from here; for thou art rejected, accursed.
35. "And the curse shall be on thee till the day of Judgment."
36. (Iblis) said: "O my Lord! give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are raised."
37. (Allah) said: "Respite is granted thee
38. "Till the Day of the Time appointed."
39. (Iblis) said: "O my Lord! because Thou hast put me in the wrong, I will make (wrong) fair-seeming to them on the earth, and I will put them all in the wrong,-
40. "Except Thy servants among them, sincere and purified (by Thy Grace)."
41. (Allah) said: "This (way of My sincere servants) is indeed a way that leads straight to Me.
42. "For over My servants no authority shalt thou have, except such as put themselves in the wrong and follow thee."
43. And verily, Hell is the promised abode for them all!
44. To it are seven gates: for each of those gates is a (special) class (of sinners) assigned.
45. The righteous (will be) amid gardens and fountains (of clear-flowing water).
46. (Their greeting will be): "Enter ye here in peace and security."
47. And We shall remove from their hearts any lurking sense of injury: (they will be) brothers (joyfully) facing each other on thrones (of dignity).
48. There no sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave.
49. Tell My servants that I am indeed the Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful;
50. And that My Penalty will be indeed the most grievous Penalty

Talk to ya later.

Love,

RKC

-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Sun 11/30/2003 8:57 PM
To: RKC
Cc:
Subject: FW: Subject: Allah vs Jesus,Budah,God, etc.?

Incredible

-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2003 3:28 PM
To:
Subject: Subject: Allah vs Jesus,Budah,God, etc.?

This from Jim Bonde, who meets regularly with prisoners in the Illinois State
Pen.


Allah or Jesus?

By Rick Mathes, Executive Director of Mission Gate Ministry

Last month I attended my annual training session that's required
for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training
session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the
Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths who explained their belief
systems. I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say.

The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam
complete with a video. After the presentations, time was provided for
questions and answers. When it was my turn I directed my question to the
Imam and asked: "Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that
most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against
the infidels of the world. And, that by killing an infidel, which is a
command to all Muslims, they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the
case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?"


There was no disagreement with my statements and without
hesitation he replied, "Non-believers!"

I responded, "So, let me make sure I have this straight. All
followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of
your faith so they can go to heaven. Is that correct?"

The expression on his face changed from one of authority and
command to that of a little boy who had just gotten caught with his hand
in the cookie jar. He sheepishly replied, "Yes."

I then stated, "Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to
imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your
faith or Pat Robertson or Dr. Stanley ordering Protestants to do the same in
order to go to heaven!"

The Imam was speechless.

I continued, "I also have problem with being your friend when
you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me. Let
me ask you a question.would you rather have your Allah who tells you to
kill me in order to go to heaven or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I
am going to heaven and wants you to be with me?"

You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame.

Chuck Colson once told me something that has sustained me
these 20 years of prison ministry. He said to me, "Rick, remember that the
truth will prevail."

And it will!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rick Mathes and his wife Trish are the founders of Mission Gate Prison
Ministries, an outreach to those who are incarcerated and their families
in Missouri and Illinois, headquartered here in St. Louis. On September
20th they will be hosting their 18th Annual SeptemberFest Fund Raising Dinner
at the Double Tree Hotel in Chesterfield with former Mafia liaison Tom
Papania as their featured speaker.

--
May God bless you this day.