Islam and Political Violence

The Qur’an’s Message on Spirituality and Martyrdom: A Literary and Rhetorical Analysis

“…42-48). These groups have especially used such verses to inspire European and American recruits, most of who are religious novices and lack the religious literacy to interpret the Qur'an's spirituality (Esposito 2015). Many of these new recruits feel alienated and marginalized in their own societies and are seeking a more meaningful and exciting life.…”

“…The verse has acquired this name even though the word "sword" does not appear in the Qur'an. Islamic terrorists have quoted this verse in isolation, declaring that it is a call to kill "idolaters" (bin Laden 1998). Additionally, they have broadened the intended meaning of "idolaters" from the original translation to include Christians and Jews who, according to them, have deviated from the true meaning of their scriptures ).…”

“…1-10). Today, the Qur'an has come to occupy a central role in the "clash of civilizations or a culture war" between the West and the Muslim world (Esposito 2015).…”

From non-violent protests to suicide bombing: social movement theory reflections on the use of suicide violence in the Nigerian Boko Haram

“…Because of this, the religion had developed concepts which justifies violent activism. The concept of jihad for example, while referring to the obligation incumbent on all Muslims to struggle or exert (jihad) on oneself, and to follow and realise God's will, also incorporates the idea of activists 'to fight injustices and oppression, and engage in armed struggle to defend one's community and religion' (Esposito 2015(Esposito : 1070. These kinds of concepts obviously make the religion very susceptible to be framed to justify violent activism or even martyrdom, especially when there is a conviction that the target of the attack is an enemy of the religion.…”

“…Other scholars on the other hand down play the role of Salafism, analysing instead other multiple elements such as the environmental, political and economic factors, which emphasise the rational choice of activists (Elster 2006), or psychological deviancy within Salafi Islamist groups (Walker 2016) or a combination of these factors as elements, which underlie the overall emergence of self-sacrifice within such groups (Comolli 2015;Esposito 2015;Juergensmeyer 2003). For most of these scholars, the real motivations behind suicide violence within Salafi-Islamist groups are in fact economic, social, and political, and not just religious.…”