Muslims should fight oppression with force

Editor,

I would like to take this opportunity to disavow myself from any statements I made in the past disparaging those Muslims who are fighting against the enemies of Islam. In my own lack of religious understanding I slandered those Muslims who are risking their lives opposing the injustices taking place in their lands.

While the past is done, I hope to clarify why Islam is against oppression.

The Prophet Muhammad said: If you see an injustice you should change it with your hand, if not then speak against it, if not then you should hate it in your heart, but that is the weakest level of faith.

Islam teaches that a Muslim is not to oppress others or to allow himself to be oppressed. This may or may not include the use of arms to defend one’s religion, honor and life.

The Quran teaches us that if someone strikes you then the proper response is “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”

So, if anyone thinks that he can order soldiers to occupy a Muslim country and expect to be greeted with rose petals, this person is in for a rude awakening. Not only will the Muslims fight you, but they will gladly die to defend their religion.

And as a final note: It is true that the Muslim who dies in battle will be rewarded with virgins in paradise. If that is the case then which fighter do you think will be more eager to risk his life; the Muslim or the infidel?

Muhajir Romero
UNM student