In the Name of Allah

Why terrorists do what they do... in their own words.

"I am one of the servants of Allah.  We do our duty of fighting for the sake of the religion of Allah.  It is also our duty to send a call to all the people of the world to enjoy this great light and to embrace Islam and experience the happiness in Islam.  Our primary mission is nothing but the furthering of this religion."
Osama bin Laden, May 1998

Aside from pursuing mass murder plots against innocent populations in every corner of the planet, Islamic terrorists have one other thing in common:

They credit their motivation and success to religion.

Islam isn't hijacked by extremists - it is what sustains them.  This distinguishes Islamic terrorism from mere criminal activity, and it is part of what makes Islam so very, very different from other religions. 

Many people would prefer to bury their heads in the sand or look for ways to recast Islamic terror to fit their own political agenda, but the fact is that violent Muslims are quite explicit about the religious certainty that compels and justifies their actions.

The teachings and early history of Islam that explain the violence are discussed elsewhere on this site.  Here we just want to show that, as far as Islamic terrorists are concerned, their acts are done specifically in the name of Allah and for the cause of Islam and Islamic rule... across the globe.

Afghanistan

[The Taliban are] "a simply band of dedicated youths determined to establish the laws of Allah on earth... The Taliban will fight until there is no blood in Afghanistan left to shed, and Islam becomes a way of life four our people."

Mullah Omar, Taliban leader

"Our animosity is based on religion.  We hate Americans for their secular ideology."

Tehrik-e-Taliban spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan explaining why his group of terrorists are opposed to the American presence in Afghanistan.

"In the name of Allah the Avenger, I swear on the holy book to perform my sacred duty as a soldier of Islam in this Jihad to restore to this world the light of divine justice... Allah demands no less.  For to die in the cause is to be sent immediately to paradise."

A Taliban official.

Algeria

“But the coming Islamic caliphate country will not rise except at the hands of the fighting sect who raises the flag of Allah and Jihad.”

Statement from the Salafi terrorist group, one of several fundamentalist cells responsible for the slaughter of 150,000 men women and children in the 1990’s.

"Our Jihad consists of killing and dispersing all those who fight against Allah and his Prophet."

"Throat-slitting and murder until the power is Allah's!"

Both quotes from leaders of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA).  The first spoken by Sid Ahmed Mourad, the second from Abdelkader Hattab.

Bulgaria

“The month of Ramadan is a month of holy war and death for Allah.  It is a month for fighting the enemies of Allah.”

'Base of Jihad' , taking credit for the brutal suicide bombing of a bus full of innocent tourists.

Canada

“Islam came for the good of humanity.  So if someone doesn't like good we fight them.”

Faruq Khalil Muhammad, explaining why he supports terrorism against infidels.

Chechnya

“True resistance is helped by Allah the Supreme and the battles are for His just cause”

Abu Hafs, Mujahideen and one of the region’s most prolific killer

“I ask you to step up Jihad against enemies of Allah... Destroy Allah's enemies wherever you have them, wherever your hands reach you may open a front... When there is a total war, there are no more civilian objects or civilian population"

Doku Umarov, a leader who has taken personal responsibility for dozens of terror attacks in which many civilians were left dead.

Dagestan (Russia)

"I ask Allah that the next season he’ll give us the opportunity to kill as many kafirs [non-believers] as we can, just to shred them to pieces.  Allah is almighty."

William Plotnikov, an Islamic militant fighting in Dagestan

Terrorism is killing non-believers... for the sake of Allah

Dagestani 'rebel' speaking on camera.

Egypt

"Allah is our objective, the Quran is our Constitution, the Prophet is our leader, Jihad is our way, and death for the sake of Allah is the highest of our aspirations."

Credo of the Muslim Brotherhood, which has spawned attacks and numerous subsidiary terrorist organizations

India

“It's a religious war with those who are unbelievers in the mission of Muhammad... especially for the purpose of advancing Islam and repelling evil from Muslims."

Abu Jindal Hamza explaining why he helped slaughter 166 people in Mumbai

“Democracy is among the menaces we inherited from an alien government.  It is part of the system we are fighting against… It is not possible to work within a democracy and establish an Islamic system… If Allah gives us a chance, we will try to bring in the pure concept of an Islamic Caliphate.''

"The notion of the sovereignty of the people is anti-Islamic. Only Allah is sovereign.''

Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, the leader of the  Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist organization.

Yes!  We - the terrorists of India – THE INDIAN MUJAHIDEEN, - the militia of Islam whose each and every Mujahid belongs to this very soil of India - have returned, to execute the compulsion of Allah:

"Fight them (the disbelievers), Allah will punish them by your hands and bring them to disgrace, and give you victory over them and He will heal the hearts of those who believe." (Qur'an 9:14).

The Indian Mujahideen, claiming credit for a brutal series of bombings that left dozens of civilians dead and hundreds more in agony.

Iran

“Those who know nothing of Islam pretend that Islam counsels against war.   Those who say this are witless.  Islam says: 'Kill all the unbelievers just as they would kill you all!  Kill them, put them to the sword and scatter their armies'....

"Islam says: Whatever good there is exists thanks to the sword and in the shadow of the sword!  People cannot be made obedient except with the sword!  The sword is the key to paradise, which can be opened only for holy warriors!

"There are hundreds of other [Koranic] psalms and hadiths urging Muslims to value war and to fight.  Does all that mean that Islam is a religion that prevents men from waging war?  I spit upon those foolish souls who make such a claim.'”

The Ayatollah Khomeini

Indonesia  

“We planned to kill for the sake of upholding Islamic Sharia and the establishment of a caliphate."

Captured terrorist, Bayu Setiono, who was busted along with five other members of an Islamic school for plotting deadly attacks.

“Keep on fighting for the application of Islamic law. If this state and nation wants to become great, safe, and at peace then it has to return to Islam one hundred percent without bargaining. If not, then it will be destroyed.”

Abu Bakar Bashir, spiritual leader of the Indonesian Mujahideen

Iraq (Sunni)

“There is no doubt that Allah commanded us to strike the Kuffar (unbelievers), kill them, and fight them by all means necessary to achieve the goal. The servants of Allah who perform Jihad to elevate the word (laws) of Allah, are permitted to use any and all means necessary to strike the active unbeliever combatants for the purpose of killing them, snatch their souls from their body, cleanse the earth from their abomination, and lift their trial and persecution of the servants of Allah. The goal must be pursued even if the means to accomplish it affect both the intended active fighters and unintended passive ones such as women, children and any other passive category specified by our jurisprudence.”

Statement by the head of Jama'at al-Tawid wal-Jihad ("Group for Monotheism and Jihad"), a Sunni terrorist known for bloody massacres, including 86 Shiites at a mosque.

Iraq (Shia)

“My motivation is a sense of duty toward my religious faith to fight against any hostile enemy of Islam.”

Abu Deraa, Shiite terrorist known for drilling into captive’s heads

Iraq (al-Qaeda)

"We are defending Islam and its sanctity”

A woman training to be a suicide bomber
 

"The Prophet, the master of the merciful has ordered to cut off the heads of some of the prisoners of Badr in patience.  He is our example and a good role model."

Abu Muasa'b al-Zarqawi speaking moments before beheading an abducted American businessman.

Israel

“The Islamic Resistance Movement:  Islam is its way.  It is from Islam that it derives its ideas, concepts, and perceptions concerning the universe, life, and man, and it refers to Islam's judgment in all its actions.  It is from Islam that it seeks direction so as to guide its
steps. “

The covenant of Hamas, a terrorist organization that enjoys widespread popularity in the Islamic world despite brutal massacres of Israeli men, women and children.

"It was a calculated act, performed with conviction and faith in Allah... I dedicated myself to Jihad for the sake of Allah and Allah granted me success.  Do you know how many casualties there were?  That was made possible by Allah."

Ahlam Tamimi, one of the bombers who slaughtered fifteen innocents, including six children at a Sbarro's pizza parlor.

"When your Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, therefore make firm those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off the fingertip of them"

Literature from the Jama'at al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad Salafi group in Gaza quoting from the Quran to justify sending rockets haphazardly into Israeli population centers.

"I am proud and honored to be a terrorist for the sake of Allah... This is Islamic religious law. I don't invent anything. I follow Islamic religious law in this."

Umm Nidal, a woman who sent her six sons on suicide missions against Jewish civilians

Jordan

“Terrorism is a badge of honor on our chests until Judgment Day.  In the name of Allah, we’re pursuing the path of jihad until we uproot you, exterminate your state until the rule of the king vanishes.  We follow the steps of the Prophet (Muhammad)... Allah is our Lord; you have none."

Hassan al-Smeik, leader of the cell that plotted a chemical weapons attack intended to kill 80,000 Jordanians

"Our people... are fighting disbelievers amongst their own just like the Prophet, Allah’s peace and prayer be upon him, fought his people.  The Prophet, Allah’s peace and prayer be upon him, didn’t start with fighting the Romans or the Persians, but he started by fighting his people and made the criterion in that to be this religion."

Hassan al-Smeik, leader of the cell that plotted a chemical weapons attack intended to kill 80,000 Jordanians

Kenya

“The Mujahideen punished with their hands those believing and worshipping other than Allah.  The [holy warriors] will continued until such practice is eliminated."

al-Shabaab loyalist Sheikh Hassan Takar on why two churches were targeted with grenades and gunfire.

Lebanon

“We are… linked to the Muslims of the whole world by the solid doctrinal and religious connection of Islam, whose message God wanted to be fulfilled by the Seal of the Prophets, i.e., Muhammad”

From the charter of the Hezbollah terrorist group, which has kidnapped, tortured and killed numerous non-Muslims.

Libya

“We are in a battle with the liberals and the secularists... I swear by Allah that we can tolerate the killing of all people and wiping all countries off the map but we cannot tolerate a single swear word that could hurt our prophet... Our brave youths will continue their struggle until they impose Sharia"

Mohammad Ali al-Zahawi, the leader of the Libyan arm of Ansar al-Sharia, which has massacred hundreds.

Mali

“All we want is the implementation of Sharia.”

A spokesman from Ansar Dine, a group which has been compared to al-Qaeda for its summary execution of civilians and captured soldiers..

“We are going to kill you because you don't want Sharia.”

Ansar Dine in Northern Mali

The Netherlands

"What moved me to do what I did was purely my faith.  I was motivated by the law that commands me to cut off the head of anyone who insults Allah and his Prophet."

Mohammed Bouyeri, explaining in court why he stabbed Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh to death.  (Bouyeri was holding a Qur'an at the time).

Nigeria

"For peace to reign in the land, all Christians must convert to Islam. Allah has tasked all Muslims in Quran chapter 9 verse 29 to continue to attack Jews and Christians who refused to believe in him and his messenger, Prophet Mohammed"

Abu Qaqa, explaining why his band massacred nearly one hundred worshippers, including children, in a series of attacks on churches in a single Sunday morning.

"Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in his life time flushed out all idol worshipers and their leaders and all these evils. So, our aim and target is to do so here... Allah commanded us to obey His Holy Quran. Whether one likes it or not, we will follow it... we will get people to believe Allah is one, and Muhammad, His Prophet. They will come to the right way. "

Ustaz Muhammed Yusuf, founder of the Boko Haram terror group that has been known to kidnap and behead Christian pastors who refuse to embrace Islam

“Whomever we kill, we kill because Allah says we should kill and we kill for a reason." 

Abubakar Shekau, a cleric and spiritual leader calling for holy war against Christians.
 

"I enjoy killing anyone that Allah commands me to kill the way I enjoy killing chickens and rams" 

A Boko Haram spokesman explaining his group's declared war on Nigerian Christians.

Pakistan

"[Pakistan] will be turned into a citadel of Islam and secularism will be purged... only Islam guarantees human rights and peace."

The Tehrik-e-Taliban in a statement claiming responsibility for a brutal series of bomb attacks on Shiite pilgrims and mosques in which children were killed

"With regard to Osama and Al-Zawahiri, I never met them, but I have the utmost love and respect for them, because of their enmity towards the Jews and the Christians. The Muslims must be harsh towards the infidels and compassionate among themselves. These two men reflect this Koranic verse... We place our trust in Allah. Soon, we will witness the miracles of Jihad."

By'atullah Mahsoud, Emir of the Pakistani Taliban

"Our whole struggle is for the enforcement of Sharia law"

Muslim Khan, Spokesperson for the Pakistani Taliban, responsible for hundreds of bombings, shootings and abductions.

The Philippines

“We may be small in number, but we have plenty fighting with us--the angels and the hand of Allah.  We dream of an entire Islamic world, and we will achieve it. Allah is with us."

Abu Sayyaf terrorist group leader, Khadaffy Janjalani, responsible for church bombings and beheadings.

Saudi Arabia

"One of the greatest virtues in Islam is jihad for the sake of God. Ramadan is the month of jihad and battles, and most Muslim battles took place during the blessed month. This is your season, o people of jihad. Jihad during the fasting month of Ramadan has a great taste -- for what better way to break your fast than to kill infidels and relish the sound of the weeping of the despicable tyrants and infidels."

Saudi-based terrorist magazine, al-Jihad

Somalia

"And your brothers of the Mujahideen Movement are on their way, going forth in Jihad against the occupiers and disbelievers so that the word of Allah is the highest and there is no more fitnah on earth and the religion is solely for Allah."

Deadly Somali terrorist group calling itself, Youth Islamic Movement

"Know that I am doing this martyrdom operation only for the sake of Allah and for his religion."

A 21-year-old member of al-Shabaab and former British college student who murdered 20 Africans.

Spain

"Allah, may he be praised, said… ‘Kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from where they have driven you out; for internal strife [Fitna] is worse than killing.’"

The Qur’anic verse quoted by the Abu Hafs Al-Masri Brigades in explaining the murder of 202 Madrid train commuters

Sudan

"To Fight and Conquer.  Death in the name of Allah."

The unit logo of the Janjaweed militia, responsible for “cleansing” Darfur of African people along with the rape of thousands of women.

"Long live the Mujahideen"

Sudanese President, Omar al-Bahir, at a meeting of Janjaweed fighters.

“Jihad is a duty.”

The constitution of the Islamic Republic of Sudan

Syria

“Our hero [the suicide bomber] believed in Allah and died while fighting for Allah”

Islamic Jihad leader, Abu Ayman

Tajikistan

"The Mujahideen, fighting in our ranks, have firm faith, they do not fight for power or positions in the society, they only want to make supreme the world of Allah... we abandoned this world, and, Allah willing, strive for the appeasement of Allah”

Mujahideen of Tajik, the country's bloodiest terror group.

Thailand

"The Islamic warriors of Pattani announce the purpose that we will never stop killing the Siamese kafir (infidel) and will never stop destroying army weapons, the economy, politics, education and the Siamese kafir society until we regain the land of Pattani and establish the state of Pattani Dar al-lslam”

Leaflets distributed by separatists to intimidate the local Buddhist population.

“….Martyrs, how glorious we will be if we fall as warriors of our land. When Martyrs are killed, they are not dead but alive next to Allah. They will watch and listen to every piece of news to see if their children will follow in their footsteps….”

Berjihad di Pattani, “calls for a holy war to liberate Pattani from ‘colonists’. It is liberal in employing metaphoric references and verses from the Quran. ...a significant and clear articulation of the radical religious dimension of the conflict in south Thailand used within the context of Malay-Muslim resentment of the central government. It engages in Takdir (the labeling of fellow Muslims as infidels) and makes direct calls for Martyrs to attack fellow Muslims perceived to be collaborating with the “occupation”, or the Jahili (people of the ignorance). It views the practice of religious obligations of these “hypocrite” Muslims as a disguise hiding hearts filled with fury and hatred against Islam…”

Turkey

“The Koran says: ‘Fight them until evil disappears and all religion becomes Allah's [religion].'  The suicide activists who blow themselves up are carrying out the Koran's commandment.’"

Ali Osman Zor, Great East Islamic Raiders Front terrorist organization

United Kingdom

“Our religion is Islam - obedience to the one true God, Allah, and following the footsteps of the final prophet and messenger Muhammad... This is how our ethical stances are dictated. “

Mohammad Sidique Khan, London subway bomber, explaining his motives on a pre-recorded video tape.

"Know that, I did what I did for the pleasure of Allah alone."

From the will of Bilal Abdulla, a Glasgow suicide bomber.

"We are doing this in order to gain the pleasure of our Lord and Allah loves us to die and kill in his path.  Anyone who tries to deny this, then read the Koran and you will not be able to deny this because this is the words in the Koran and the words of our the messenger of Allah, prayers and peace upon him."

"We love to die in the path of Allah... On top of this is to punish and to humiliate the Kuffar [non-believer]"

"Thank God Allah accepted my duas [prayers] yeah, and provided me a means to do this."

From the farewell videos of those convicted in the plot to kill thousands of airline passengers over the Atlantic in 2006.

"O enemies of Allah, we have heard and seen you openly insulting the final Messenger of Allah. You should know that for every action there is a reaction.  Today is a day of retaliation (especially) for your blasphemy of Allah and his messenger Muhammad. We love death more than you love life."

Letter of explanation from six Muslim devotees who admitted to plotting a bomb attack on critics of Islam at an EDL rally.

United States

"I did not act out of hatred for Americans, but love for Allah instead.  I live only to serve Allah by obeying all of Allah’s commandments, of which I am aware by reading and learning the contents of the Koran.”

Mohammed Reza Taheri-Azar, explaining (in his words) “reasons for premeditating and attempting to murder citizens and residents of the United States of America.”  He also quoted 141 verses from the Qur'an.

"We, Muslims, are content with God's book, the Quran, to fight you with.  God has granted us to fight... In God's book, He ordered us to fight you everywhere we find you... We ask to be near to God, we fight you and destroy you and terrorize you. The Jihad in God's cause is a great duty in our religion.”

The "9/11 Shura Council" - 9/11 planners held at Guantanamo Bay - in a March 2009 letter. 

"I wasn't insane or post traumatic nor was I forced to do this Act... [it was] justified according to Islamic Laws and the Islamic Religion.  Jihad to fight those who wage war on Islam and Muslims."

Abdulhakim Muhammad (formerly Carlos Bledsoe), explaining why he gunned down an unarmed soldier outside a recruiting station in Little Rock, Arkansas.

"The Muslim war will continue until Islam is spread throughout the whole world."

Faisel Shahzad, in his farewell tape, made shortly before the attempt to mass murder hundreds of New Yorkers at Times Square.

"In late 2009, in fulfillment of a religious obligation, I decided to participate in jihad against the United States. The Koran obliges every able Muslim to participate in jihad and fight in the way of Allah, those who fight you, and kill them wherever you find them."

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the "Underwear Bomber", proudly telling a court why he attempted to detonate a plane full of innocents over Detroit.

"The first thing we are calling you to is Islam."

Osama bin Laden, extending the dawah (invitation to Islam) to America prior to Jihad as Muhammad instructed.

Uzbekistan

"We have declared a jihad to create a religious government in Uzbekistan”

Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader, Tahir Yuldeshev

Yemen

"We will implement the rule of Allah on earth by the tip of the sword."

"We need men who are willing to go all the way and not hold back anything from Allah.  The religion of Allah cannot be given victory by part-time service. This is not a weekend religion. The contract is to sell our souls to Allah. The compensation is paradise."

American-born Islamic cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who has inspired multiple bombing and shooting plots in the U.S. and Europe from his base in Yemen.

"Our project is to institute the Sharia of Allah on Earth and reject the man-made laws and constitutions. Nothing will rule the country other than the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger

We will fight the enemy without leniency and not surrender until only Islam rules"

Nasir al Wuhayshi, the leader of Yemen's most feared terrorists

"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious the Most Merciful...  Praise is to Allah, the glory granter to Islam with His victory and the disgracer of the unbelief with his Might... and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger who said:

al-Qaeda al-Jihad in Yemen taking credit for a brutal suicide attack and quoting the words of Muhammad to explain why.

September 11th Attacks

"We killed them outside their land, praise be to Allah. Today, we kill them in the midst of their own home.

O Allah, revive an entire nation by our deaths. O Allah, I sacrifice myself for your sake, accept me as a martyr. O Allah, I sacrifice myself for your sake, accept me as a martyr. O Allah, I sacrifice myself for your sake, accept me as a martyr.

To the Garden of Eden, our first house. We shall meet in the eternal Paradise with the prophets, honest people, martyrs and righteous people. They are the best of companions. Praise be to Allah. Allah's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you. "

Ahmad al-Haznawi, Flight 93 Hijacker

"Those 19 brothers who left us made efforts and offered their lives for the cause of Allah. Allah has favored them with this conquest, which we are enjoying now"

Ayman al-Zawahiri, al-Qaeda's Number Two, explaining the motives for the plot.

"I heard someone on Islamic radio who owns a school in America say: 'We don't have time to keep up with the demands of those who are asking about Islamic books to learn about Islam.'  This event made people think about true Islam, which benefited Islam greatly."

Osama bin Laden, bragging of the 9/11 attacks during a video-taped November, 2001 meeting.

"Be cheerful, for you have only moments between you and your eternity, after which a happy and satisfying life begins...

"Remember: it is a raid for the sake of Allah. Recite the prayer.  As you take the seat, recite the prayer. Mention Allah a lot.  When the hijacking begins, "Shout Allah is great because this shout strikes terrors in the hearts of the infidels

"And the moment of death should be accompanied by the basic statement of belief recited by all Muslims at the call to prayer.  Seconds before the target, your last words should be, 'there is no god but Allah. Mohammed is his messenger!."

Written instructions to the hijackers.

"Allahu Akbar!  Allahu Akbar!  Allahu Akbar!"

Last words from the cockpit of Flight 93.
 

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