According to the Quran, those Muslims who actually participate in the fighting are said to be seen more favorably by God than those who sit at home. Whenever an admonishion is made not to kill, exceptions are made saying it's OK under various circumstances of actual or perceived wrongs commited against Muslims (as those in this thread are doing as well).
4.94 . O ye who believe! When ye go forth ( to fight ) in the way of Allah , be careful to discriminate , and say not unto one who offereth you peace : "Thou are not a believer ; " seeking the chance profits of this life ( so that ye may despoil him ) . With Allah are plenteous spoils . Even thus ( as he now is ) were ye before ; but Allah hath since then been gracious unto you . Therefore take care to discriminate . Allah is ever informed of what ye do .
4.95 . Those of the believers who sit still , other than those who have a ( disabling ) hurt , are not on an equality with those who strive in the way of Allah with their wealth and lives . Allah hath conferred on those who strive with their wealth and lives a rank above the sedentary . Unto each Allah hath promised good , but He hath bestowed on those who strive a great reward above the sedentary ;
4.96 . Degrees of rank from Him , and forgiveness and mercy . Allah is ever Forgiving , Merciful .
I'm not asking you to justify anything. All I'm asking for is that you acknowledge what your religion actually teaches.
But since you mentioned it and challenged me to read up on it for myself (which I was doing anyway) - it looks to me like maybe they're not so deviant after all.....
Over and over and over the Quran and the Hadith say that those believers (of Islam) who fight, strive, slay, kill for the cause of Allah and Islam are the ones who will be blessed the most. Even more so if they are killed (as in 'martyred') in the process of doing so.
8.72 . Lo! those who believed and left their homes and strove with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah , and those who took them in and helped them ; these are protecting friends one of another . And those who believed but did not leave their homes , ye have no duty to protect them till they leave their homes ; but if they seek help from you in the matter of religion then it is your duty to help ( them ) except against a folk between whom and you there is a treaty . Allah is Seer of what ye do .
8.73 . And those who disbelieve are protectors one of another If ye do not so , there will be confusion in the land , and great corruption .
8.74 . Those who believed and left their homes and strove for the cause of Allah , and those who took them in and helped them these are the believers in truth . For them is pardon , and a bountiful provision .[FONT="]8.75 . And those who afterwards believed and left their homes and strove along with you , they are of you ; and those who are akin are nearer one to another in the ordinance of Allah . Lo! Allah is Knower of all things .[/FONT]
In Sunna 9, Muhammed claims a wrong against Muslims (non-Muslims who have the audacity to actually think they are equal in status to Muslims). Then declares the treaties will be annulled at the end of the holy months. Why? So his offensive attack on those people will be 'legal.' He tells his troops that these dispicable people will be fought and killed until they either convert to Islam or submit to Islam rule and consent to pay the jizyah with submission and humiliaion (as in are 'brought low'). If they do choose to submit, it is so they can be convinced to convert.
9.3 . And a proclamation from Allah and His messenger to all men on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage that Allah is free from obligation to the idolaters , and ( so is ) His messenger . So , if ye repent , it will be better for you ; but if ye are averse , then know that ye cannot escape Allah . Give tidings ( O Muhammad ) of a painful doom to those who disbelieve .
9.4 . Excepting those of the idolaters with whom ye ( Muslims ) have a treaty , and who have since abated nothing of your right nor have supported anyone against you . ( As for these ) , fulfill their treaty to them till their term . Lo! Allah loveth those who keep their duty ( unto Him ) .
9.5 . Then , when the sacred months have passed , slay the idolaters wherever ye find them , and take them ( captive ) , and besiege them , and prepare for them each ambush . But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor due , then leave their way free . Lo! Allah is Forgiving , Merciful .
9.6 . And if anyone of the idolaters seeketh thy protection ( O Muhammad ) , then protect him so that he may hear the word of Allah ; and afterward convey him to his place of safety . That is because they are a folk who know not .
[FONT="]9.7 . How can there be a treaty with Allah and with His messenger for the idolaters save those with whom ye made a treaty at the Inviolable Place of Worship? So long as they are true to you , be true to them . Lo! Allah loveth those who keep their duty [/FONT]
Muhammed is praises those who support him and strive hard for the jihad cause. He harshly admonishes those who are less than enthusiastic and lag behind or who are less supportive or generous in their donations to the cause and calls them hypocrites, declares them disbelievers...
[FONT="]9.73 . O Prophet! Strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites ! Be harsh with them . Their ultimate abode is hell , a hapless journey ' s end .[/FONT]
[FONT="]9.74 . They swear by Allah that they said nothing ( wrong ) , yet they did say the word of disbelief , and did disbelieve after their Surrender ( to Allah ) . And they purposed that which they could not attain , and they sought revenge only that Allah by His messenger should enrich them of His bounty . If they repent it will be better for them ; and if they turn away , Allah will afflict them with a painful doom in the world and the Hereafter , and they have no protecting friend nor helper in the earth
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Indeed those who joined the jihad to kill or be killed were promised Paradise:
9.111 . Lo! Allah hath bought from the believers their lives and their wealth because the Garden will be theirs they shall fight in the way of Allah and shall slay and be slain . It is a promise which is binding on Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Quran . Who fulfilleth His covenant better than Allah? Rejoice then in your bargain that ye have made , for that is the supreme triumph .
And those he declared to be unbelievers:
9.122 . And the believers should not all go out to fight . Of every troop of them , a party only should go forth , that they ( who are left behind ) may gain sound knowledge in religion , and that they may warn their folk when they return to them , so that they may beware .
It is the believers God-given duty to kill the unbelievers!!
9.123 . O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you , and let them find harshness in you , and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty ( unto Him ) .