72 Pannen: Difference between revisions

==Terrorism==

[[Suicide]] is clearly forbidden in Islam, but the [[The Islamic Ruling on the Permissibility of Martyrdom Operations|permissibility of martyrdom operations]] (Istishhad) is an altogether different topic, with scholars being split on the issue.

Notable scholars and apologists such as Shaykh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, the world's most quoted independent Islamic jurist,<ref name="Faisal">Faisal Bodi - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2001/aug/28/comment.israelandthepalestinians|2=2012-02-21}} Bombing for God (Special report: Israel and the Middle East)] - The Guardian, August 28, 2001</ref> [[Dr.]] [[Zakir Naik]], known for his advocacy of "[[Islam and Science|Qur'anic science]]", and Tahir Ashrafi, the Chairman of the [[All Pakistan Ulema Council]], have justified the use of suicide bombing in Islam.<ref>Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi - [http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503545134 Palestinian Women Carrying Out Martyr Operations] - Islam Online, November 6, 2006</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtZxNqxpb8s Is Suicide Bombing allowed in Islam? By Dr. Zakir Naik] (a YouTube video posted by PeaceTVUK on September 20, 2008</ref><ref>Abdul Haq Omari - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9627-pakistan-ulema-permits-suicide-attacks|2=2013-03-05}} Pakistan Ulema Permits Suicide Attacks] - TOLOnews, March 2, 2013</ref> Opinion polls have further shown that an [[Muslim Statistics (Terrorism)‎|extremely large number]] of Muslims from around the world support the practice.<ref name="Faisal"></ref><ref name="JP">Michael Freund - [http://web.archive.org/web/20070210015156/http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1167467849587&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull Right On: The straightforward arithmetic of jihad] - The Jerusalem Post, January 31, 2007</ref><ref>Khalid A-H Ansari - [{{Reference archive|1=http://web.archive.org/web/20040412010339/http://web.mid-day.com/news/world/2004/march/79639.htm|2=2012-02-11}} 65% Pakistanis support Osama, says report] - Mid Day, March 27, 2004</ref><ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.scotsman.com/news/international/one_in_eight_uk_muslims_support_terrorist_attacks_1_517610|2=2012-02-04}} One in eight UK Muslims 'support terrorist attacks'] - Scotsman.com, March 15, 2004</ref>

The Qur'an states that all Muslim males, not only martyrs, will be rewarded with virgins.<ref name="q56_36">"''Then We have made them virgins''" - {{Korán|56|36}}</ref> However, the Qur'an does also mention that those who [[The Meaning of Qatal|fight]] in the way of Allah ([[jihad]]) and get killed will be given a "great reward",<ref name="Sura4 74">"''Let those (believers) Who sell the life of this world for the hereafter fight in the cause of Allah and whoso fights in the cause of Allah, - and is slain or gets victory, We shall bestow on him a great reward.''" - {{Korán|4|74}}</ref> and there are also hasan (good) hadith<ref name="QA 8511"></ref> which refer to 72 virgins as one of the "seven blessings from Allah" to the martyr.<ref name="alMiqdaam"></ref> This has lead to the 72 virgins concept being widely used as a way to entice other Muslims into carrying out "martyrdom operations" for Islam.  

This is witnessed in [[Palestinian Authority area|Palestine]], where the actions of a mother who sends her son to die as a martyr is sometimes seen as "marrying him off",<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=565|2=2012-02-21}} The model Palestinian mother sends her son to die as Martyr, thereby marrying him off] - Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, January 8, 2012</ref> and where the concept is used in Friday sermons and [[music]] [[videos]], both airing on official television.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=565|2=2012-02-21}} 72 wives await the Martyrs for Allah: Six rewards quoted in Hamas TV sermon] - Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas), January 1, 2010</ref><ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=565|2=2012-02-21}} Beautiful virgins await Muslim Martyrs in Paradise] - Palestinian TV (Fatah), February 7, 2010 (1 min)</ref> It has even been used in the [[United Kingdom]], where, in one event, Muslim teens were told to train with Kalashnikov rifles  with the promise that the would receive 72 virgins in paradise if they died as religious martyrs.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2687797.stm British martyrs 'promised 72 virgins'] - BBC News, January 23, 2003</ref>  

Contrary to what the Qur'an, hadith, scholars and Muslims themselves say, a Western author named Margaret Nydell in a book that "promotes understanding between modern-day Arabs and Westerners", states that mainstream Muslims regard the belief of 72 virgins in the same way that mainstream Christians regard the belief that after death they will be issued with wings and a harp, and walk on clouds.<ref>{{cite book|title=Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times|author=Margaret Kleffner Nydell|pages=109|year=2006|publisher=Intercultural Press|isbn=1931930252}}</ref>