Ok, someone please help me re: radical Islam

[Subdivisions]

My interest in the mechanics of Islam has always been passive because of my skepticism with religion in general. And I've repeatedly heard the term "radical Islam" over the years and have some idea as to the basics of the faith.

I was just watching 60 Minutes and I caught the last few minutes of the segment where a teenage boy was saying that he was sorry he was not killed in some battle because he does not get to be with his 72 virgins in heaven. Then the mother was aaked about the obsession men have with virgins and she said that's all they talk about, getting to heaven as martyrs so they can be with their virgins.

Is this really what Islam all about, or is this the "radicalized" version?

[mdmc]

1. radicalized

Just like the KKK radicalizes christianity.

[hack89]

2. The radicalized version

there are other Muslims that say that the promised virgins are a perversion of the Koran.

[Trajan]

3. Chuckles .....

I see this going in interesting directions ... like a broken rocket ....

I would posit: LIKE other communities; Islam will have it's share of single minded imbeciles who can only think of their own desires, and ignore the needs of the community as a whole ....

Islam is no different ... you can be sure that similar thoughts exist in ALL communities, with or without the sexual connotations ....

[fenriswolf]

4. whats so great about 72 virgins anywasy?

after you have sex with each of them your left with 72 women, I know alot of guys who don't wanna spend eternity with 72 women on their case 24/7 ***joke***

[Subdivisions]

5. Whoop! --->

[NewHampster]

11. lol

good luck

[Withywindle]

20. What's so great about virgins?

Wouldn't you rather get laid in heaven by someone who knew what they were doing?

I know I would.

[Flatulo]

6. I liken it to some fundamentalist Christians I know who swear

the earth is 6,000 years old and the fossil is a trick by Satan.

As my witty son said when I explained this to him, "Oh, no - I think the world is 4 billion years old. I'm going straight to hell".

There will be some extreme ignorance in every faith.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. radicalized

Moderate/progressive Muslims will tell you that the verses the lad is quoting don't even talk about virgins. The key in Islam is to do remember God through confession of faith (shahada), daily prayers (to help with remembrance), fasting at Ramadan, giving to charity (this can be directly to those in need, not necessarily to a charitable organization), and, if you are financially able, going on Pilgrimage to Mecca once in your life.

Note that there is nothing about martyrdom in the Five Pillars. And the Beloved Prophet said that the Greater Jihad is not with some enemy but with your own ego--to work on controlling it, and to find the Real Self within. Islam can be a very personal spiritual journey, and is not reliant upon priests or places of worship. However, the radical Islamists like people to be dependent upon so-called "spiritual leaders" to tell them how to think and act.

[H2O Man]

9. Very good.

It is a description of an internal process, much like its two siblings.

[Subdivisions]

12. Thank you for this explanation. I actually

knew martydom and virgins were radicalized perversions of Islam but worded my question wrong. It's the pointlessness of the death and destruction caused by this perversion that has me confounded. I guess my question should have been more rhetorical, as in is this what all the violence is about? Is this what is a the root of teroorism? Heaven? Martyrdom? 72 virgins?

Unbelievable.

[hlthe2b]

14. Excellent... thanks

[hlthe2b]

8. about as much true "Islam" as preaching that Jesus would

reward those who spend their lives exploiting others for their own greedy ends is consistent with Christianity. (or that bombing the world is acceptable if you are the country that God alone blesses (ie. the US)


If you have read the bible, it is clear that multiple interpretations are possible, leading to exploitation and appropriation. Same with the Koran...

[msongs]

10. saw a great cartoon somewhere - the 72 virgins turned out to be catholic nuns nt

[treestar]

16. lol

I love that! :rofl:

[NewHampster]

13. 72 Virgins. What happens on the second day?

[Islander Expat]

15. Where does this 72 virgin bullshit come from?

I've worked and lived in several different Muslim countries and I've ONLY heard about this through mainstream Western media sources.

I'm a 6 foot tall, blue-eyed American and I proudly travel all around Mindanao and Indonesia and nobody bothers me at all.

Better tell the Muslims theres a war on, they seem to still be unaware here. Maybe Jorge should bomb Jakarta and remind them.

[SharkSquid]

17. Its there

"Thus shall it be. And We shall pair them with companions pure, most beautiful of eye."
"In these will be mates of modest gaze, whom neither man nor invisible being will have touched ere then."
" companions pure and modest, in pavilions
"reclining on couches ranged in rows!” And We shall mate them with companions pure, most beautiful of eye
Here is a verse that refers to one’s own renewal to a pure state:

"And spouses, raised high: for, behold, We shall have brought them into being in a life renewed, having resurrected them as virgins
And among His wonders is this: He creates for you mates out of your own kind. so that you might incline towards them, and He engenders love and tenderness between you: in this, behold, there are messages indeed for people who think! … And He it is who creates in the first instance, and then brings it forth anew: and most easy is this for Him, since His is the essence of all that is most sublime in the heavens and on earth, and He alone is almighty, truly wise.
A verse regarding other companionship:

“And, O our Sustainer, bring them into the gardens of perpetual bliss which Thou hast promised them, together with the righteous from among their forebears, and their spouses, and their offspring - for, verily, Thou alone art almighty, truly wise "


the number 72 is from Hadith.




Some think it may mean grapes




http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,2763,631357,00.html

[Islander Expat]

18. And what page is that on?

I'll have to try and remember.

[TexasProgresive]

19. You might find this article enlightening.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/saturday_review/story/0,3605,631332,00.html


Virgins? What virgins?


It is widely believed that Muslim 'martyrs' enjoy rich sensual rewards on reaching paradise. A new study suggests they may be disappointed. Ibn Warraq reports
Special report: religion in the UK

Saturday January 12, 2002
The Guardian

[Dr. Strange]

21. o

A new study suggests they may be disappointed.

This line cracks me up something fierce!
:spray:

[Yupster]

22. Here's an interesting website for some info

www.askimam.com

On edit - it's a place where Muslims can ask questions of religious leaders. Many of the questions come from Muslims living in the west and trying to balance their lifestyle with Islam.

Pretty interesting site.

My favorite question is "Is it permissible to take steroids to prepare for jihad?"

The answer was no. And Allah knows best.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

23. What that fellow doesn't get is that the greater jihad

is within one's own self. The imams and mullahs inciting people to violence are inflaming their ego and the egos of their followers; they are, in essence, losing the greater jihad.