Did the president send a message to Islam supporting Sharia-mandated Jihad?

Monday, October 25, 2010

Did the president send a message to Islam supporting Sharia-mandated Jihad?

In his June 4, 2009 speech to the Muslim world at Cairo University, the man who occupies the Oval Office told a lot of half truths and no truths in an address designed to set America right with Islam. The Daily Jot has reported on this speech and its content several times. The speech was historical in that it is the first time an American President actually reached out in an effort to placate a terrorist culture. He did so by trying to make the case that Islam is a tolerant religion that respects human rights, has led the world in technology advancements, and by even taking out of context remarks of an American president and using them to indicate American support for Islam, when in fact, he was declaring the opposite.

Further analysis of the speech has left many with the impression that the president was sending an encoded message to Muslims around the world about their ability to practice their so-called "religion" as they see fit. The obvious expressions were made when he said, "Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation." But then, there is the code. The president went on to say, "That's why I'm committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat."

The code word here is "zakat." According to several interpretations by Islamic scholars, "zakat" is defined as "A certain fixed proportion of the wealth of a Muslim obligated to be paid yearly as one of the five pillars of Islam. Zakat is the major economic means for establishing social justice and leading the Muslim society to prosperity and security." These sources say there are eight categories of people who receive zakat: the destitute, those who cannot work, those appointed to collect zakat, Islamic converts, an Islamist wishing to free himself from slavery, one who is in debt to meet basic needs, one who is stranded in travel, and one who conducts "Fisabillillah"--one who fights for the cause of allah.

The expert on the linguistic and legal use of the word "Jihad," Cairo University educated Islamic scholar Abdullah Yusuf Azzam states that in Sharia law, the word Fisabillillah is a qualifier for the word "Jihad." Together they mean "sacrificial striving in fighting the infidels." The American president on June 4, 2009 assured Islamists at the bedrock of their fundamentalist teachings that America will ensure that Muslims can fulfill zakat. In this context, the president was speaking of mandatory charitable giving that included Jihad. While there are many meanings to Islamic words and doctrines, this one is clear to anyone who cares to research it. Jesus said in Matthew 24:4, "Take heed that no man deceive you."

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry