VI. Epilogue
Although in this short article I have concentrated only on certain aspects of jihad, I think it is worth revisiting Rick Warren’s five purposes, briefly reworking them for Muslims. A full exposition of these would be a book-length project, but here are a few thoughts to consider.
The Purpose Driven Muslim
1. We were planned for God's pleasure
so your first purpose is to offer real worship.
"Killing Jews is worship that draws us close to Allah" -- Hamas's Al Aqsa TV
Muslim Brotherhood founder Hassan al-Banna hoped to change "the status of the Mosque, bringing it from a static place of worship to a center of Islamic revolution", while Youssef Qaradawi, unconditionally endorsed by leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood operating in Canada, wrote: "It must be the role of the mosque to guide the public policy of a nation, raise awareness of critical issues, and reveal its enemies. From ancient times the mosque has had a role in urging jihad for the sake of Allah."
2. We were formed for God's family (the Muslim umma)
so your second purpose is to enjoy real fellowship.
"Take not Jews and Christians as friends; they are friends of each other. Whoso of you makes them his friends is one of them" (Quran 5:51).
"The unbelievers of the People of the Book (Christians and Jews)...are the worst of creatures" (Quran 98:6).
“Let believers [Muslims] not take for friends and allies infidels [non-Muslims] instead of believers. Whoever does this shall have no relationship left with Allah — unless you but guard yourselves against them, taking precautions” (Quran 3:28).
3. We were created to become like Muhammad,
so your third purpose is to learn real discipleship.
“No religious leader has as much influence on his followers as does Muhammad (Peace be upon him) the last Prophet of Islam….And Muhammad as the final messenger of God enjoys preeminence when it comes to revelation – the Qur’an – and traditions. So much so that the words, deeds and silences (that which he saw and did not forbid) of Muhammad became an independent source of Islamic law. Muslims, as a part of religious observance, not only obey, but also seek to emulate and imitate their Prophet in every aspect of life. Thus Muhammad is the medium as well as a source of the divine law.” - Muqtedar Khan of the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy
It is true that Muhammad started from the east and came to the west, as the sun travels from east to west. Nevertheless he came with war, knives, pillaging, forced enslavement, murders, and acts that are not from the good God but instigated by the chief manslayer, the devil.~ St. Gregory Palamas
4. We were shaped for serving God
so your fourth purpose is to practice real ministry.
“Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth [i.e. Islam] among the people of the Book [Jews and Christians], until they pay the jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued” (Quran 9:29).
“Kill the mushrikun [unbelievers] wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and prepare for them each and every ambush” (Quran 9:5).
“I will cast terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved, so strike them over the necks, and smite over all their fingers and toes” (Quran 8:12).
“Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into the enemies of Allah and your enemies” (Quran 8:60).
5. We were made for a mission
so your fifth purpose is to live out real evangelism.
Allah’s Messenger said: “I have been ordered [by Allah] to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah... so if they perform all that, then they save their lives and property from me.” (Sahih Bukhari, 1:2:25, also Sahih Muslim, 1:10:29-35.)
The Islamist movement makes no secret of its intentions to convert the West. Its propaganda, published in booklets sold in all Euro- pean Islamic centers for the last thirty years, sets out its aim and the methods to achieve them. They include proselytism, conversion, marriage with local women, and, above all, immigration. Remembering that Muslims always began as a minority in the conquered countries (‘liberated,’ in Islamic terminology) before becoming a majority, the ideologists of this movement regard Islamic settlement in Europe, the United States, and elsewhere as a chance for Islam.- Bat Ye'or, The Decline of Eastern Christianity under Islam, p. 217
“The earth belongs to Allah and his Apostle.” (Sahih Muslim, Book of Jihad, 3:17:4363; also Bukhari, Book of al-Jizya, 4:58:3167)
...
If you’re like me, after wading through such a distorted theological worldview, with its purpose the defeat and overthrow of the Christian Church, followed by global domination over all people, races and creeds, the big question is similar to Rick Warren’s question on the cover of his book:
“So, what on earth do I do now?”
This is where Christianity, and especially Orthodox Christianity, I believe, has some big answers. God willing, in subsequent posts, I’ll try to explore some of these.
