Islam's jihad is a struggle against idolatry, sexual deviations, plunder, repression, and cruelty. The war waged by [non-Muslim] conquerors, however, aims at promoting lust and animal pleasures. They care not if whole countries are wiped out and many families left homeless. But those who study jihad will understand why Islam wants to conquer the whole world. All the countries conquered by Islam or to be conquered in the future will be marked for everlasting salvation. For they shall live under [God's law].[1]}}
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Khomeini contrasts Islamic jihad as moral struggle with conqueror wars driven by lust.
- In plain terms
- Islamic conquest is for salvation; others conquer for pleasure.
- What can you take from it?
- Intent defines the morality of war.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does intent justify violent expansion?
Another view
It justifies conquest as moral duty.
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